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Here is a question..

Compare and contrast the Realist and the Pluralist schools of thought?

dumb a$$.

Basra- wrote:dumb a$$.

Why? Instead of helping the poor kid who needs help with his homwork, you have chosen to put him down and the question is why? Whatever the reason, it is not fair for you Basra old lady to put people down when they ask for help

Why would anyone major political science in America?
Well, another bogus degree holder looking for Yellow cab side-job until SSC starts recruiting for new openings.

anilweyne wrote:Why would anyone major political science in America?
Well, another bogus degree holder looking for Yellow cab side-job until SSC starts recruiting for new openings.

I always wanted to do political science, but I guess - am not a dreamer like Oldenglish’s Eedo “Casha Cabdulle”. Definitely, not the type of profession a Somali Xalimo can pursue.

As for this Q --- I came up with some basic answers.

Realism as I suppose, evaluates power as being concentrated in the hands of a single ruling group, especially in relation to international relations. This thought/theory views international system as anarchistic, with no power or authority to provide commandments and order amongst independent states. As in, there’s no supreme power or influential bodies above that specific country’s government. Therefore, each state/country yearns to pursue their “own” interest and exercise power to advance their position in the system.

For example, the widespread “human trafficking” issue in Somaliland and Puntland. For all we know, such actions goes against the international laws, however, there’s no specific global codes of ethics, or strict international laws, when it comes to cross-border/international dealings between countries. External associations like “UN” tried to actually publish reports about this matter, and alert the concerned governments about such dealings, nevertheless, there’s nothing much they can do, given that, such issues arises in most states, and it’s up to that government “on how it exercises power” (although, in the same time, these particular gov. are indeed violating fundamental human rights codes). As the example demonstrated, the REALISM theory perceives states as unitary actors, and acts upon the “reason of state” principle, which puts the state’s interest and security above anything else.

Pluralism theory on the other hand, presents different view, and argues that autonomous but interdependent groups, such as interest groups, pressure groups, and associations are important/influential players in decisions-making and competition over power. Unlike realists – pluralists argues that international system is more of an equal opportunity provider, than being anarchistic. It also advocates collective interest and security, rather than a national one like the Realism theory.

Some examples could be NATO security alliance, the Global free-trade, EU etc. Pluralists argues that there are positive benefits from transnational cooperation, not only on the scale of mutual gains based on trading, security etc, but also that other transnational actors are challenging the hegemony/power of independent states. Supposedly, it’s like Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Eritrea forming some sort of security or trade alliance/cooperation to advocate the different states mutual interest, in which that specific association/cooperation will in the future share power with the national governments when it comes to decision-making in relation 2 trade or state’s security.

NOTE: Brother, if this is a coursework Q, then you got 2 know this is more of an explanatory /evaluation paragraphs, rather than comparison. You need to consider more points and argue how the 2 theories differ on the basis of the “Moral” outlook, idealism of the 2 theories, the power-sharing equation (I mentioned some – “Hegemony – Realism”, “Harmony of Interest – Pluralism” ), the benefits of each theory (whether it’s "Self-Beneficiary -Realism Theory", or "International one - Pluralism”). Add the collective security thought of the pluralism theory, and the national security of the realists....

^ WOW, thank you for that, really interesting

I could only think of comparing their views on the position of states; Realists consider the states to be central, that their only concerned with survival etc, whereas pluralists value non-state actors alongside states. Also realists being pessimistic about human progress, influenced by Old Testament views on human nature (original sin) whereas pluralists (Constructivists??) are essentially progressive.

I red this piece about how all these theories would respond to a zombie invasion, kinda related
http://drezner.foreignpolicy.com/posts/ ... nd_zombies

anilweyne wrote:Why would anyone major political science in America?
Well, another bogus degree holder looking for Yellow cab side-job until SSC starts recruiting for new openings.

anilweyne wrote:Why would anyone major political science in America?
Well, another bogus degree holder looking for Yellow cab side-job until SSC starts recruiting for new openings.

political science---known to prepare students for the soup kitchen line/homeless shelters.