Thesis summary : International Relations Between realism and post-humanity

Thesis summary

International Relations
Between realism and post-humanity

doctoral degree PhD

 in political science

Preparation

 Salam AL- Rabadi

سلام الربضي

Index

Introduction Chapter One the profound changes  in the structure of the global community Section I: the concept of relative security community to the concept of a risk society Section II: the transition from bi-polar to polar relative Section III: the rise of the knowledge economy   Section IV: from industrial society to a knowledge society Chapter II The Theory of Realism in International Relations Section I   : Theory layout and balance of international Section II : State is the only player on the international level Section III: standard physical force Chapter III intellectual patterns unexplained world issues Section I: Theory intellectual patterns closed Section II: Theory bilateral intellectual patterns Section III: the theory of open patterns intellectual Chapter IV the features of the new global patterns Section I: Chinese experience: the coexistence of the communist regime with capitalist economic system Section II: Turkish model: mixing between the secular ideas with Islamic ideas. Section III: biological revolution - technological post-humanity. Section IV: Cultural factors influential force in determining international relations. Conclusion Sonclusion References

                             Introduction

We are now witnessing profound changes in the structure of the global community. Where we moved from an industrial society to a knowledge society, in conjunction with the rise of the so-called knowledge economy, as well as for our transition from bipolarity to the relative polarity, and the transition from modernism to postmodernism. We have also moved from the concept of relative security community to the concept of community risk, the risk of contamination Environmental, terrorism, mad cow, seeds carcinogens, human cloning………

Indeed, the global express transitional phase, characterized by most international files, if not global politics.And global issues of nuclear weapons, the environment, poverty, reform of the United Nations, human rights, Immigration …

. All these issues make us wonder about the dialectic of reality theoretical interpreter of world issues?

It is clear that all those variables and data on the global level brings us face to face questions about the theory of realism in international relations based on the pattern and balance international. Means the international format regularly to reflect the nature of the relationship between the two countries.This relationship is subject to some kind of balance reflect the reality of power, and distinguishes these theoretical propositions dependence on two principles: the principle of the state (the only player on the international level), and the principle of force (international balance based on physical force). 

This emerging reality that reflects the features of a new global patterns in light of global changes and hit the structure of our global community.And specifically from the perspective of the art of the theoretical question of fact interpreter of world issues? Also can not be limited debate on the new features of this pattern, but the new challenge in the age of globalization lies in the question: How and what are the ways to deal with this new patterns?Will also carry traditional theories in international relations, including the theory of realism to answer those questions?

Problematic thesis

By simulating the contemporary global reality, we find that it has become replete with a lot of developments and at all levels, we need to stop at some of the data that can be expressed through the following questions :

1- Is it still the state alone capable of determining international relations?

2- Can analyze this emerging reality through building on standard physical force only? 

3- Or must also focus and the inclusion of cultural aspects in the analysis?

4- If ambition is the emergence of a global pattern of values ​​governs the conduct of nations and institutions :

5- Will it be the issue of values ​​and transformations in the forefront of intellectual questions current and future?

First, at the state level :

The biggest problem on the table in the age of globalization is the dialectical relationship between the state and globalization, so much so that many of the theories herald the demise of the State or erosion and the demise of its position .Many of the issues that make the statement "the only player in the state of international relations" are questionable? Both in terms of the actors or the nature of the outstanding issues, there is a growing influence of non-international actors have become specific major of international relations such as non-governmental organizations ,individuals,  transnational corporations, media organizations.

The confirmation of this situation, can review and follow-up to a lot of events of the Doha Round negotiations for "World Trade Organization" to see the impact of the global civil society. And international conventions as:  the "Mine Ban" 1997, biodiversity "2000", "Kyoto" Environment 1998, And the Rome Convention on the International Criminal Court in 1998 And global campaigns for the abolition of the debt of poor countries. As well as the influence of transnational corporations in the global economy reflects the reality of the nature of contemporary international relations.

The outstanding issues or international issues of concern to the whole world, no longer exclusively on the states alone.And the nature of those issues or phenomena emerged from what is customary in international relations. For example, environmental problems is the problem between man and nature.It is not a problem between countries through accurate diagnosis of the phenomenon . 

In terms of the phenomenon of terrorism, we are in front of the facts are not on the hands of the states, but at the hands of organizations, networks or individuals unknown address or identity. Or even do not have one center of decision-making. Thus, we have a new international relations are still in the process of discovery. This type of relationship contrasts with the traditional logic of reason leading to the erosion of the traditional concept of the state. In addition to the change that is happening in the face of this phenomenon.

Hence the problems of the definition of terrorism and aggression.The look of reality world we see that there has been a significant shift to the concept of collective security or global, so no longer look classic based on the achievement of the State Security (the political security in the narrow sense) that govern our reality, but the concept of human security in all its dimensions of economic, cultural, social, political... No longer be measured by the reduction of threats, but how to respond to the basic human needs.

Also has become the concept of sustainable development more popular. He tries to reconcile these basic human needs, and the environment's ability to meet them, and according to the principle of maintaining the potential of our land, for the benefit of their grandchildren. The structure of the society that marks contemporary world brings us face to face questions about the theory of realism in international relations. Realism sees the world in the form of the state-dominated system, and the goal of this recent achievement of security, strength and peace.But today, no longer is the focus of the system alone, and in front of this reality, we find ourselves in front of the two cases :

1 - if subject to traditional classical motives in the search for power and interests and sovereignty.

2 - If the subject of independence and motivated bypass states.

Second: at the level of force :

The problem does not lie in how important force in world politics, but about the possibility of interpreting patterns of power and forms of continuity, relying only on physical considerations?Or must also focus and the inclusion of cultural aspects in the analysis?

The interaction on the international stage, is cultural interaction and not just the physical interaction.If we took the hottest issues at the global level such as terrorism, nuclear weapons, environmental issues, can not find a theoretical approach, away from the cultural dimension, both in the analysis or when we try to find solutions.

For example, the issue of nuclear weapons is no longer on the table in terms of the presence of weapons in itself, but more importantly how to understand its existence, the United States does not worry too much than having countries like Britain or France of nuclear weapons, unlike the position of Iran or Cuba, or Syria or North Korea. Consequently, this attitude stems from the cultural vision for the presence of nuclear weapons. 

As though the issue of terrorism since the events of September 11 give new indications, not the least of expression for the emergence of culture as a key factor in the analysis and identification of international relations.And globalization in the broad sense, became inhabited cultural obsession coexistence does not only economy and technology.

Based on these facts, we are faced with contradictions concepts:

1- the concept of cultural imperialism: It is intended solely for the purpose of "American cultural imperialism".

2- the Concept of cultural fundamentalism.Actress religious fundamentalism: Islamic Kalosolah today, as Orthodox fundamentalism yesterday, as well as Catholic fundamentalism by them..

Thus, the issue of terrorism can not find her approach in accordance with the principle of physical force (balance).

In regard to the issue of the environment and sustainable development, it poses an urgent Issue of values ​​and its transformations, Is no longer the case stands at the borders of countries, but became based to human existence in itself. As well as the environment and risks reflect man's relationship to their land.

And sustainable development issues and poverty, it is no longer possible to find solutions only at the State level.The issue is not on the table practically and scientifically between rich countries and poor countries, but between a poor man and the rich man, and the United Nations reports rife in the analysis of this fact, as if sustainable development is based on obsession with the following question :

1- How can we put an end to the violation of natural resources, which may completely eliminates the possibilities of sustainable development and therefore the chances of future generations, without a contract cultural?

2- What are the ways in which we have to face and determine the ethical requirements include a general framework for human security?

Importance of the thesis

The cultural dimension was at the heart of global transformations and called in the analysis is necessary to understand these new dynamics in which the world turns. If the international relations based on interests and will remain so in many areas. But we must study the ideals and identities of nations and not only interests.

Identity reflect the social reality (who are actors), and the interests they express the desire and (what we want). So identity  before interest, where a person can not be determined what his wishes, goals and interests without knowing his identity (Who is) first .

As the new global challenges, require new answers, we need to know whether the new world that paint features, it is assumed us a radical re-evaluation of social contracts.Which is a pillar of our local and global communities.

These global transformations require extra effort on the theoretical level, do we need to format a new intellectual, in the framework of a theoretical interpretation approach to international relations?

It is clear that intellectual enclosed patterns, modeled on the argument that "Marxism" is the solution, or "capitalism" is the solution, and also says that "Islam" is the solution, these patterns closed, no longer open doors of the contemporary world. As if the false binaries of the twentieth century, either capitalism or Marxism, while the public sector or the private sector, either secular or religious, also all fell before the current dynamic reality.We have moved (no doubt) the stage of intellectual open patterns, and new more importantly, it will install between opposing elements, not can conjecture days, it can be composed of one thesis.

This thesis that tend to say that the dismantling of closed patterns preceded by the formation of "systems", it meets the elements of opposite has never been calculated, have to meet. 

  for example  

is it worth the Chinese experience stop then? As th

e current reality of China, and how capital exceeding coexist in more forms and visible manifestation of the economic system with a communist political system, not one has in mind, to lead this process of capitalist   evelopment system?

Another model is not far from the Arab world, namely Turkey, Turkish Islam where adjacent idea of secularism with Islamic idea.In a political scene where there has not troublesome, or a conflict or antagonism these different ideas. We are waiting for the time factor, which would be judged on those open patterns that will have a significant impact, at the theoretical level the interpreter to the issues of the world, as for the renewal of the balance of power in international relations.

The twentieth century brought consider in our certainties constants, in relation to history and society and human values​​. 

 If the secular tried to be a substitute for the great religions of ethics to emphasize the importance of the principles of: science, progress, freedom, humanism, citizenship…… but apparently, the development of science and technology, which is the decisive factor is not expected, and that can not be restrained in the change, threatens our future and lead us to Humanitarian us can not know what it is?

There are many theories that attempt to fill the ideological vacuum of the contemporary world, including the theory of the end of history, the theory of the clash of civilizations, postmodern theory, but it may be the most dangerous of the theory that some like to be called label "post-humanity".

Has entered the stage of development of a revolutionary life science, especially the "biotechnology", which will result in radical changes in human life, essentially allows the possibility of changing human nature.Let's get this historic phase have drastic effects, whether social, moral, political, economic. In the near future, we have to face the moral choices in the field of genetic engineering.

The question is: to what extent can the use of technology to improve the genetic characteristics?

If those research based on the possibility of changing human nature, there are many questions that arise about many of the basic concepts: such as equality between human beings, and the ability to choose the moral, and change our understanding of personal and human identity, and to influence the pace of intellectual development and physical, and in global politics asActions?

May be the most serious in the quiver that revolution is, they increase or increase the gap between communities and individuals, rich and poor. Where the rich can employ their wealth to control the genes, and genetic re-engineering them and their children.Thus, these transformations may exacerbate inequality between the rich and the poor, so that added to the social and economic gap, cognitive and digital, huh biological, will be devoted to the level of inequality the biological composition of the human being.

So, in the future, we are faced with a "post-human" would be more hierarchical and full of social conflict. No place inside any concept about "common humanity", as human genes will be installed with other genes, we do not know what the meaning of the human being. This emerging reality that reflects the features of our global community, and specifically from the perspective of the art of the theoretical question of fact interpreter of world issues, can not be limited to the debate about the features of this new patterns, but the new challenge in the age of globalization lies in :

1- How and what are the ways to cope with this new patterns?

2- Will carry traditional theories of realism in it the answer?

3- If the ambition, is the emergence of coordinated Connie values​​, governs the conduct of nations and institutions: Will the issue of values ​​and transformations in the forefront of intellectual questions current and future?

4- Will Jump focus and attention in determining international  relations of economic and technological factors to cultural factors, as an influential force in driving approach to global issues, both at the level of interpretation and find solutions to them?

If the distance of time to the features of this new patterns did not exceed 25 years, a period, according to the curriculum historic, can not give indications of stable can be built upon, will be plunged into the trap of problematic, urgency in filling the void theoretical interpreter to the world???

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