One World: Many theories; Rival theories

"Why should policymakers and practitioners care about the scholarly study of international affairs? Those who conduct foreign policy often dismiss academic theorists..." - Stephen Walt (One World, Many Theories)

As i was asked to read about an author with the name of S. Walt entitled "One World, Many Theories" i had the slightest idea that it was going to be about the theories used in the international and national sphere and how it's "thinkers" defend and argue how their ideologies suite best a states interest. The book was not new with the information of certain theories that i have read already.

I knew about the different theories there are. Realism was the ism that considers its state as the main actor. and that if this gets threaten all means are necessary to safeguard the state even if it means war. This ism emphasize on competition and compares other states as of a human being who has this innate desire to dominate others and so leads to war again a co-man thus war of state against other states. Another ism is liberalism, which is the counterpart of the realist perspective. This theory believes in economic interdependence, democracy and most importantly in the role of non-state actors which are the I.O.'s, NGO's, MNC's and others. That these non-state actors can help in achieving world cooperation and peace. Democracy is a must because "Democratic states don't to go war with each other"(Kant). All other theories were called radical traditions. Under this are Constructivism(Idealism) the ism that replaced Marxism. This isms main focus is on ideas, identities of states, and their discourse. This ism was a challenge to the two other theories and claims to have answered the questions realism and liberalism were not able to answer and problems other theories were not able to have solutions to. These theories are also considered rival theories because each theory is created as an answer to the problems of the other theory. The Rivalry among these theory is actually a secret ingredient in the improvement of the theories.

No doubt that all these theories were for a purpose and explained certain phenomenon into being more understandable. This things were not that hard for me to understand because I have been learning it for how man years now but I have to admit that there are still things and ideas that surprises me. After reading and discussing in class the two books i saw how intelligently the theories were created and how critical it explains things an ordinary person would not understand. Theories drew a concrete line to explain this abstract world and it further does as time passes by and i would love to learn more about this things and their interconnectedness.

Expectations

It is my first time to take the PHIFOCY class and i only know a little of what to study in it. The only thing that i know is that it will be a very interesting class and that i would put my best foot forward to learn. As a student i don't really expect too much from my teachers because i know that everything they do and let the students do in class are for the best. I really see the subject as very comprehensive and that it requires many readings, a lot of listening, understanding, and a very critical way of thinking. I only expect the usual things from the class. A very fun and energetic class, since it is a 3 hour class, and a considerate professor which i think we already have. Cheers!