International Relations Research Paper by hicaliber

The paper explains that the schools of liberalism and realism in terms of international relations have long been seen as warring ideologies, highly incompatible with one another. Liberalism and realism proceed from different fundamental interpretations about the international system. The paper explains, however, that both methods of international relations have as their ultimate goal the security and perpetuation of the state. The paper looks at Joseph Nye's theory of soft power versus the ideas of hard power. The paper demonstrates the threats facing the United States today and asserts that an ability to address or reduce such a threat depends upon liberalism merging with realism in order to ensure security.