International Relations - China and the United States

Running head: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS – CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS – CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS – CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES
Answer to Question 2a.
International Relations (IR), often defined as International Affairs (IA) inquires about an
understanding of the beginning of war and the preservation of peace; character and application of
power within the international system and the varying nature of state and non-state actors who
take part in international decision-making (Burley, 2017). International relations theories are a
set of ideas that explain the way international system works. IR theories, contrasting to an
ideology are based on tangible facts and evidence. These theories help in explaining the
complexities of the relation between nation-states. Further, IR theories study the
interconnectedness of politics, law and economics between the nation-states. Realism and
Idealism or Liberalism is the two major theories of IR that are mostly discussed in international
politics.
As per the theory of Realism, nation-states consider increasing their power relative to
others as their chief aim. Realism assumes that nation-states are “motivated by national interests
disguised as moral concerns” (Williams, 2013). A realist would argue that the state must define
its national interest in terms of relative power and ensure that it possesses more power –
politically, militarily, economically – than other states. It must possess the power to defend its
boundaries against rival states. To a realist, the international system is anarchical and hence, all
states are bound to rely on their own resources for safety and security. Realism makes several
other claims like there is no predominating power that could impose global rules or reprimand
bad behavior, international law and organization has any authority over the nation-states and so
on. In the contemporary political scenario, realism is practiced but from a different perspective
where states hide their actual agenda. As Galston (2010) puts it, “in recent decades, a ‘realist’
alternative to ideal theories of politics has slowly taken shape”. The author further states that

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS – CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES
political realists consider a well-ordered society to be unattainable or “rarely attainable”.
Machiavelli was probably the first theorist who devised the theory of realism asking rulers to use
“deceit and violence as tools against other states”.
Idealism is the next major theory of IR. It is a part of the theory of Liberalism according
to which, national interest has become a difficult concept to define since the development of
broad ties between nation-states. These ties have also lessened the military power of the states.
Idealism as a theory of IR mostly received fuel with the emergence of globalization and
communication technologies. In addition, the blurring of boundaries in trade and commerce
meant that the states could no longer depend on power politics to decide things. This theory
claims that military power has little significance in today’s world and that economic power holds
key to dominance. The concept of national interest does not hold much significance in Idealism.
Unlike Realism, this theory believes that international laws and organizations have a crucial role
to play in fostering cooperation and trust amongst nations. Idealism demands states to act
morally and ethically in the international platform. The formation of the League of Nations, later
United Nations on the initiatives of Woodrow Wilson after the First World War is a great
example of idealism in international politics (Griffiths, 2013).
The two theories of IR as mentioned above could be explained more elaborately by
associating them with the relation between China and the United States. The relation between
these two nation-states brings forth excellent examples of Realism and Idealism in international
relations. They share a strong yet complex relation (Yan, 2014). On one front, both nations have
great economic ties that is further strengthened by increasing trade between the two and on the
other, there is always a tendency to overpower the other in the international arena. From the
Realism perspective, China and the US are in a constant friction to overcome the other in terms