Realism Theory and Terrorism: A Critical Analysis of its Applicability in Australia

This research essay examines the applicability of realism theory in understanding and addressing terrorism, particularly within the Australian context. It explores the core assumptions of realism, its strengths and limitations in explaining terrorism, and its implications for Australian foreign policy. The essay analyzes the role of power, national interest, and the balance of power in shaping state responses to terrorism, drawing on examples from Australia's history and current security environment. It concludes by evaluating the effectiveness of realism in guiding Australia's counterterrorism efforts and suggesting potential areas for improvement.

Research Essay
1

Table of Contents
Research Question......................................................................................................................3
Introduction................................................................................................................................4
Main Body..................................................................................................................................5
References................................................................................................................................12
2

Research Question
Which theory of international relations best accounts for terrorism?
This research essay will discover that how realism theory explains the terrorism. For
understanding and removing the terrorism, it is very much important for Australia to
understand terrorism through realism theory.
3

Introduction
This research would be based on the realism theory which best accounts for terrorism. Also,
this theory will help in explaining the complete concept of terrorism. With the help of realism
theory, Australia can identify that which actions are required to reduce the danger of
terrorism. Australia’s terrorism problem is a huge threat which is biggest internal issues of
present time. This report also includes the core assumptions and concepts which lead to
particular ways to see the world. At last, there would be a discussion of particular limitations
which inherent the realist theory of international terrorism. Moreover, this research essay will
explore the different actions which can help in removing terrorism.
4

Main Body
As per the point of view of Allen, et. al. (2013), realism theory believes that international
relations are just struggling for power between self-interest states or countries. The clear-
sighted countries can remove the terror wars by identifying possible ways to minimise the
danger which they pose to each other. The realism theory emphasizes that cruel pragmatism
regarding power can yield more effective as well as the peaceful world, if not peaceful then it
yields ideal one. At the end of World War II, the realism theory claimed naïve belief that
legal rules, regulations, laws and international institution alone can preserve peace. But still,
there is a misconception that scholar of new generation believe that way to war is paved.
Terrorism is one of the biggest problems of the modern world. There was mainly two type of
terrorist group that affect any nation one of them is cross-border terrorism where the terror
group based in some other country are responsible in spreading terrorism and another one is
inner border terrorism where terrorism group bases in any nation are responsible for
spreading terrorism in the same country. The nations around the world are implementing
various methods to stop the terrorism; one of the ways to control terrorism is to implement
realism theory to overcome this problem.
According to Aluko and Bagheri (2012), the U.S. theorists have fully articulated the realist
approach but still, it is considered as broad appeal outside the United States. Australia is
continuously developing its economy and entered into the World trade organisation also, it is
behaving in a way that it understands the realists well. For the development of realism
approach Australia is developing its military slowly but at the same time, it is avoiding
hostility with strong forces of Australia.
The realism theory of international relations has improved the situation after the post-9/11
world. Even in the global economic interdependence, centrality if military power and
persistence of conflict do not make relists surprise. The biggest success of realism theory is
that it has explained the U.S.’s forceful military in response to the terrorist attack of
September 11. As per the realists, the country which is growing well should expand its sphere
of domination whether for wealth, security or other motives. Australia has employed large
and strong military power because it has capabilities of employing such strong military
(Bures, 2012).
5

The state-centric realists face difficult in explaining that why world’s superpower introduced
war against at Qaeda which is known as a nonstate terrorist organisation. For the research
question, realists have stated that war on terrorism has been fought especially against the two
states which are Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. and Australia are major countries who have
fought against the terrorism. The realists provide the knowledge about the significance of
non-state actors and state them as a challenge to their own assumptions. The realism theory
has various important things to say regarding the motivations and behaviours of non-state
actors (Campbell, 2014).
Hunt (2016) argued that suicide terrorism is rationale, realists strategy of leadership states
that national liberation movements are expelling democratic powers which are occupying
their homelands. As per the insight of political realism, philosophy of Thomas Hobbes,
Thucydides and Niccolo Machiavelli are hard to render because some non-state teams or
groups are resorting violence. The most important concept of realism which is a balance of
power is following by various nations so that they can understand the terrorist activities and
take necessary actions against them. But as per the observation of Llewellyn (2017), the
standard and most important realist policy predict that weak countries or states should take
help of strong allies so that they can protect themselves from terrorist attacks. In simple
words, weaker states should protect themselves from a strong nation of state and reform their
own balance of power. The example of this concept in Germany because it has unified in the
19th century, it has become a major part of the industrial power and leading military of
Russia, Europe and France, sooner it will become count part of part of all countries.
As per the point of view of Matsubara (2013), there is no country which can challenge the
military of United States because it has always focused on its military power and contributes
a lot in terrorist attack due to its balance of power. Apart from this, it employs strong military
men who can deal with challenges of terrorism. Just like the United States, the military
power of Australia is very strong because it has large geographic distance and also it
relatively has benign intentions which help it in balancing the power. But as per the
perspective of Rossi and Sleat (2014), for having better growth and increasing power
Australia can take help from their neighbours such as the United States and regions like East
Asia. Sometimes, neighbour countries try to affect the power balance of the country, so it is
very much important for Australia to focus on only trustable allies. Australia has established
6

good relations with Europe so that it can oppose the German and France, this can be
considered as a great example of balancing power with neighbours (Rossi and Sleat, 2014).
There are various conceptual difficulties in realism but still, this approach is alive and
creatively reconsidering that how its principles have related to the post-9/11. Notwithstanding
changing power configuration, the realism theory states that national policies should be based
on the real strength instead of hopeful illusions regarding world without wars or conflicts. In
the recent war in Iraq, many prominent realists signed a public letter which criticises that they
perceived in the exercises of American rubrics. In that war, many thinkers come back to
realism theory because they realised that they can identify and deal with terrorist activities
only by strengthening their power. A group of public intellectuals and scholars formed a
well-defined coalition for a realistic foreign policy which is considered as a prudent and
modest approach in present time (Sleat, 2017).
As per the point of view of (Stockman, N., 2013), the realism theory has some principles
which state that the movement towards empire should be halted directly. The coalition which
is done by political diversion is highly inspired by relists theory. The international relations
of different countries can be improved if there are positive political labels. The realism theory
on international relations is highly focused on the pessimistic belief in which it is stated that
one person is responsible for its own security. Just like this, all countries are also liable for
their security. But as per the views of Winlow and Hall (2015), if countries need to get rid of
terrorist activities so they need to improve their military power and also focus more on
political policies which mainly decreases the chances of terrorist activities. The central
building block of international system should act for their self-safety. As per the realism
theory, the power of country plays a most important role which can be achieved by improving
economic conditions and increasing military people. In simple words, only those are united
can become powerful and deal with terrorism by increasing their economic scale and
focusing more on their military superiority (Winlow and Hall, 2015).
As per the observation of (Knutsen, T. L. (2016), the conflicts among different counties arise
because of changes or modifications in relative power between states. Apart from this, some
countries conflict with each other for the competition of resources, military power, markets
and political influences. For example, Australia is a developed country and has enough
resources and growth markets which help it in improving its economic conditions. But some
countries try to compete with Australia so that they can get better growth and improved
7

economic conditions. Hence, it can be said that highly improved economic condition of the
country also arise the chances of conflicts wars and basically terrorism attacks. For example,
the highly developed state of New York became the target of Terrorist. On the other side
Campbell (2014), thinks that only those countries get involved in terrorism which is
economically weak and also comes in under developing counties like Pakistan, Afghanistan
and so on (Campbell, 2014).
For having good condition and peace, it is very much important for Australia to build most
effective political policies and also create a strong military base that it can easily deal with
terrorist. But in the views of Winlow and Hall (2015), the power of country gets increased
and decreased as per its economic conditions. Also, he stated that principles of realism get
sacrifices only, military power stay active in conflicts, wars and terrorist activities (Winlow
and Hall, 2015).
According to Llewellyn (2017), there are various version of political realism which is faced
by countries and sovereign states. As per this approach, for overcoming terrorism country
should build positive relationships with other states and country also, its emphasis on great
power. The realism approach can be managed by only those countries which have strong
military power and also have good economic conditions like Australia and United States. On
the other side Matsubara (2013), stated that country should build good foreign policies so that
it can remove the terrorism from its root. Apart from this, foreign policies keep control on the
international relation of the country with other states or countries. Furthermore, he stated that
the most important assumption of realism theory is that all national and states are principle
actor in international relations (Matsubara, 2013).
As per the assumption of realism theory the states are unitary actors especially in the time of
wars or terrorist attacks. The national interests lead the country or state to speak in one voice
so that it can improve its current position and also can deal with wars. The thirst assumption
of realism approach states that all the decision makers are rational actors because rationale
decision making helps the country in pursuing national interest. The rational actions make
country weak or burnable is not fix. Further realism theory states that leader plays a
significant role in making international relations without their cooperation country cannot
deal with terrorist attacks and also cannot develop successful foreign policies. Apart from
this, they should manage state’s affairs for surviving in a competitive environment. The
absence of any foreign policy can result in negative circumstances and also can affect the
8

international relations. So, it is very much important for Australia and its national leaders to
develop most effective policies and manage their national affairs inefficient manner (Rossi
and Sleat, 2014).
As per the point of view of Sleat (2017), those nations which have poor military power and
police forces cannot control, the terrorist attacks and also cannot maintain good international
relations. In international level, there is no surety or expectation of anything so it is very
much important for all countries to rely on each other. Apart from this, the realism approach
explains that all human repeat same nature again and again so it is important to understand
their nature. But on the other Bures (2012), stated that the nature of human being is affected
by his egoistic behaviour and desire power. So, for controlling the terrorist activities of
people it is very much essential to understand their nature, desire and wants. The realism
theory believes that selfishness and lack of trust on each other are the major reason which
results in negative outcomes. Maybe, these are a major reason that terrorism, conflicts and
wars have become very common. The nature and attitudes of people influence huge impact
on their state and country. The most popular philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli stated that the
common characteristics of human large affect the security of the state. For example, people of
Pakistan and Afghanistan gets angry and contributes a lot to terrorist activities of remaking
other people harmed (Bures, 2012).
The realism theory of international relations focuses on leader’s quality because they are the
only people who manage and controls the security of the state. Hence, it can be said that
primary concern of all leader is national security and safety. For make state safe and secure it
is very much important for political leaders to be alert as well as cooperative with internal
and external affairs of the nation. The society of any country is governed by laws and legal
rules. If authorised bodies will not make effective rules and regulation than it can never
control its nation (Aluko and Bagheri, 2012).
As per the point of view of Allen, et. al. (2013), the realism theory base accounts for
terrorism because it gives core attention to military power and improved foreign policies of
the country. In the present time, all countries are suffering from the huge problem due to
terrorist attacks which are the result of globalisation and negative behaviour of people. But
with the implication of realism theory, Australia can easily reduce terrorist activities. In
present time terrorism activities are increasing day by day, before removing this problem it is
very much important to first understand the terrorism and then find suitable solutions for
9

overcoming reducing terrorism activities. There are lots of interrelation relation theories but
realism theory is the best to account for terrorism because it provides deep insight of the
terrorism and its major reason which force the terrorist to harm people (Allen, et. al., 2013).
According to realism theory, the nation should disintegrate the cause of terrorism to stop its
growth; this could be done by making a stable and effective governing system. The governing
system plays a major role to stop terrorism; if any nation does not keep control on its
residence then some of the informal ideology take advantage of it and use the residence to
spread terrorism (Aluko and Bagheri, 2012). The chance of emergence of terrorism group
from any developed countries is lesser then underdeveloped countries, so many efforts were
taken to provide aid to these underdeveloped countries and help them to emerge as a
developed nation. The military vigilance has increased over time; this helps any nation to
reduce the terrorist activities in their nation. Many nations spend a lot of money on their
military intelligence who was responsible for the internal security of that nation.
The first step is to keep a check on the terrorist activity and keep the youngster away from the
terrorist groups; this could be done by increasing military vigilance in a terror effective area.
The vigilance team is also responsible to keep a check on the flow of money in these illegal
institutions and keep eye on the major supporter of these activities. The next step is to give a
platform for those youngsters to come back in the mainstream. The armoured force always
tries to encourage the terrorist to surrender before taking any action. The next step is to
develop all those terrorism-prone areas economically so that the youth could get a chance for
better future rather than involving in all those illegal activities.
The strength of the military of any nation gives him an upper hand to control terrorism. The
expenditure on military increases, the power of vigilance of that nation also increases this
will help that nation to decrease the terrorist activity in that nation. The Military intelligence
is one of the key tools to stop terrorism (Campbell, 2014). Terrorism is quite a sensitive issue
as the action against any terrorist group leads to damage in form of army personnel but using
the military intelligence the targets of terrorist were predetermine and check on their plan of
launching the terrorist attack in that nations. The united nation has several policies to stop
terrorism like economic sanction on the terrorist supporting institutions, controlling the illegal
flow of money to these terrorist groups, check on the dealers of weapons of these institutions
(Bures, 2012). The united nation has set four pillars to stop terrorism these pillars are kept a
check on the human right violations by various nations, stop terrorism and fighting with
10

them, checking the various condition to stop spreading of terrorism and strengthening the role
of united nations in world politics. By implementing these pillars the problem related to
terrorism could be solved.
11

Conclusion
It thus concludes the research essay with the detailed aspects of terrorism and its prevention
with the usage of realism theory. The realism is an international theory but at the same, it is a
history philosophy which states that war is an important element for preserving power. As per
the realism perspective, there are no limits or issues for the exercise of power. Most of the
terrorist attacks are conducted for preserving power which has been examined in the present
essay. Apart from this, realism theory helps in understanding the solution through which
problem of terrorism can be removed at initial stages and helps to promote peace, safety and
security across the globe.
12

References
 Allen, D.K., Brown, A., Karanasios, S. and Norman, A., (2013). How should
technology-mediated organizational change be explained? A comparison of the
contributions of critical realism and activity theory. Mis Quarterly, Vol. 37, No. 3,
pp.835-854.
 Aluko, A. and Bagheri, M., (2012). The impact of money laundering on economic
and financial stability and on political development in developing countries: The
case of Nigeria. Journal of Money Laundering Control, Vol. 15, No. 4, pp.442-
457.
 Bures, O., (2012). Private actors in the fight against terrorist financing: Efficiency
versus effectiveness. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, Vol. 35, No. 10, pp.712-
732.
 Campbell, B., (2014). Realist or Liberal?: Theoretical Interpretations of the
Obama Administration’s Counterterrorism Strategy. Vol. 14, No. 2, pp.48-48.
 Hunt, S.D., (2016). Controversy in Marketing Theory: For Reason, Realism,
Truth and Objectivity: For Reason, Realism, Truth and Objectivity. Routledge.
 Knutsen, T. L. (2016). A history of international relations theory. Oxford
University Press.
 Llewellyn, K., (2017). Jurisprudence: realism in theory and practice. Routledge.
 Matsubara, K., (2013). Realism, under determination and string theory
dualities. Synthese, Vol. 190, No. 3, pp.471-489.
 Rossi, E. and Sleat, M., (2014). Realism in normative political theory. Philosophy
Compass, Vol. 9, No. 10, pp.689-701.
 Sleat, M. (2017). Liberal realism: A realist theory of liberal politics. Oxford
University Press.
 Stockman, N., (2013). Antipositivist theories of the sciences: critical rationalism,
critical theory and scientific realism. Springer Science & Business Media.
 Winlow, S. and Hall, S., (2015). Revitalizing Criminological Theory:: Towards a
new Ultra-Realism. Routledge.
13