Realism and Its Role in US War Against Iraq Essay

Presence of biological warfare, inhumane leadership, anti-democracy these were the reasons which were proclaimed in the recent explaining US war against Iraq. I believe that US spearheaded by then President Bush played Realists in their decision-making vis a vis the issue at hand. Tony Blair himself admitted fewer months after US won Iraq over their Head of State, Saddam Hussein, that there were no biological warfare proven to be under the custody of the last mentioneds government.Moreover, most nations believe that despite Husseins dictatorial means, he was nonetheless feared hence was able to maintain peaceful coexistence between ii Islamic yet conflicting groups- the Sunni and Shiite. As regards, the promontory of the absence of democratic government in Iraq, isnt the establishment and sustainability of any government dependent on its constituents/nationals?Who is the United States to take away the chance from Iraqs own people to deal with their own government and its leader should there be a question of legitimacy? Perhaps, guided by Realist perspective of International Relations, the following reasons are more truthful security, statism, and self-help. Military power according to Realism is a whole step of political power relations among states alongside economic power. States are rational and unitary actors whose decisions are always based on a calculation of extract and national security.There is the absence of universal principles while the only guide of states in an anarchic set-up is pragmatic assessment of other states actions in solving problems. How then are these helpful in the analysis of US intentions toward Iraq? US seeking to maintain its global dominance would have to sustain phalanx power. While Liberals and Idealists thought world peace could be attained and that no more wars shall ever exist, US apparently showed that war is still a resoluteness and a means to furthering state gains.Oil is Iraqs source of wealth and power. If that was the only missing link to US superiority, by all means, US would wash up hold of it. Oil promotes military and economic power. It also gives US security against threats from North Korea. Hence, for me, it was the desire of the Bush administration to retain hegemonic status- free from external threats of all(prenominal) form that made US enter into a catastrophic war.