The International Realist

At first glance, realists appear to disregard international organizations choosing power relationships as the true decider in international relations. However, international organizations (IOs) offer an opportunity similar to war in its ability to impose one state’s will on another state.

IOs should not be viewed as power centers or holders–as some would argue NATO is–as states are the only entities that matter in international relations. Rather, IOs should be conceived as forums where states express their interests and power relationships dictate outcomes. For example, when negotiating a draft resolution at the United Nations, the result should be identical to what would have emerged if a “hot” war occurred over the issue. The state with the greater combination of power and national interest on a subject should be able to craft the resolution to best meet its needs. Lesser actors will be less happy with the text, but will not have any deep desire to halt it. The resolution becomes an accurate reflection of reality. Thus, in theory, IOs should emerge as a realist’s playground–power and national interests meshing together to shape the state of international affairs.

However, this potential is often lost in the rhetoric and desire to live up to it. The purpose of the UN should not be to promote democracy or some-such as it feels obliged to proclaim. If the UN, and other IOs, really hoped to become effective at achieving “peace and security,” they would seek to produce “mandates” and resolutions based on the fluid nature of power. Delegations to negotiating sessions should approach them with a realist mindset. Prior to beginning to push a nation’s position, the delegation and its capital need to examine what national interests–in a realist sense–are at stake and what amount of power the state is willing to commit to back up those interests. Only then will IOs reach the potential they have to create “peace and security” in international affairs.

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