Jan 17th 2009 Realist, Liberal, and Identity perspectives on the war in Iraq.

In our class, we have studied three different perspectives used for examining international relations. The realist perspective , the liberal (or idealist) perspective , and the identity perspective (which focuses on the beliefs and ideas which create a nation's perception of its identity and role in the world).

Iraq War from a Realist Perspective
A realist would define the current state of international relations from a balance of power perspective. The United States has established itself as an unrivaled superpower. A realist would argue that this explains wars of preemption or preventive wars, such as the war in Iraq. From the realist perspective, reasons for the war in Iraq could include

1) Iraq ignored an authority structure the United States created and supports, the U.N.

2) Iraq posed a (possible) threat to the United States with its alleged weapons of mass destruction and though its connection to terrorists.

3) Iraq was a key component in a group of nations that were trying to counterbalance the United States power. These nations could include OPEC nations, Russia, China, and others.

Iraq War from a Liberal Perspective

From a Liberal Perspective, the war in Iraq is the result of a breakdown in international communication. George Bush encouraged America to adopt a unilateral approach. Instead of waiting for U.N. approval and utilizing international support to it's fullest potential. Bush ignored the sentiments of our allies and pursued war without giving diplomacy a chance to properly function
From a Liberal Perspective, the war could also be explained as an effort to advance Democracy. Idealists note that democracies have never fought a war between each other (Something realists cannot explain). President Bush hoped that by establishing a democratic government in Iraq, the United States could create a bastion of democracy in a region behind the rest of the world in respect to democratic development.

Iraq War from an Identity Perspective

The identity perspective could also propose spreading democracy as a reason for the United States to overthrow Iraq's dictatorship. The identity perspective might view the war in Iraq as a clash of civilizations, a war between Western thought and Middle Eastern thought. This could also be used to explain the challenges the United States has faced while trying to establish a democracy in Iraq.


Of course, whether or not these are legitimate reason for going to war is still debatable. My goal in this was to present possible perspectives or how different schools of thought could view the conflict.