I just read about how USA and North Korea are willing to talk bilaterally to reach an agreement in the North Korean Nuclear program. After North Korea talked to Chinese, Japanese, Russian and South Koreans representants North Korea is willing to reach an agreement. Is really N. Korea willing to convert from realist to Liberalist. Check the next link and tell me what you think.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/11/us.north.korea/index.html

I especially think that maybe this a tactic of North Korea to trick USA and the UN. We have seen in history that this small country is not willing to negotiate so , Why now?

Let's keep on reading the news and wish this has a happy ending.

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Realists vs Liberals

Definitions

1. When realists observe the world system, they see primarily states struggling for power, each trying to consolidate its relative gains in a zero-sum game. The structure of the international system is thus rooted in this struggle, which is why realists contemplate little or no change in the structure of the international system.

2. A liberal, on the other hand, sees interdependence in the world system, a system in which every state cooperates on some level with other states. This cooperation is facilitated by institutions and established norms as it ensures that every state maximizes its gains. Absolute gains, therefore, rather than relative gains, are the focus of liberals.

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Liberalism and Realism Precursors and Influences

I give you a list of thinkers and influences that made impact in Liberal and Realist ideologies.

Realism precursors:

• Thucydides - 400 BC

Balance of power

• Machiavelli - 1532

The survival of the state is paramount.

• Hobbes - 1668

Anarchy and sovereignty

• Clausewitz - 1832

Military strength

Liberalism Influences:

• Versailles Treaty - 1919 (failed) First major try.
• The United Nations - about 1960
• Other institutions - end of 1960's Used as means of setting international rules and standards.
• Cooperation between states - 1980

Resource:

Cranmer, Skyler J. (2005, September 22). Retrieved September 1, 2009, Web

site: http://www.unc.edu/~skylerc/files/realism-liberalism_third_pass.pdf

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Liberalism vs. Realism or maybe both

Right after I left the classroom I opened my laptop and took a look at today's news. For my surprise I saw an interesting topic. The Article is called: "Iran has 'updated nuclear package'; ready to hold talks” And after reading it, it got me thinking that maybe the world has more liberals than we thought. In the UN they are seeking to get to an agreement in the limits of the nuclear program in Iran.

And why is Iran willing to talk to the UN? The only reason they are willing to talk to the UN is because Germany threaten Iran if they did not meet to talk and reach an agreement.

So it gets me thinking maybe we are not just Realist nor Idealist; but maybe just a combination of both. Is this really what we need right now?, or is it the future of International Relations.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/01/iran.nuclear.talks/index.html

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