International Relations Theory and the Environmental Crises Research Paper

International Relations Theory and the Environmental Crises - Research Paper Example The main ecological challenges of the deterioration of the physical health of the environment are still not analyzed in the context of a full-fledged ecological crisis. Let us start analysing the critical situation of our physical environment through various warning signs that emanate from nature including the warming of global climate, thinning of the stratospheric ozone shield, accelerating loss of biodiversity, acidification of freshwater lakes, soil erosion, desertification, and many others (Laferriere & Stoett, 1999, p. 3), IR theorists have remained unable to concentrate on the upcoming environmental crises. The study of the environmental crises in relation to the IR can be initiated by understanding the notion that the underlying causes of ecological degradation are political and wherever they are not, are followed by the human consequences of natural disasters. Many theorists believe that such 'attacks on nature' indicates a commitment to material growth and state power, which requires the systematic control and use of human and non-human nature. Therefore IR theory tells us that 'Positivist' theories are most likely the ones to replicate IR epistemology and are aimed to a limited extent to consider the methods adopted by the natural sciences.This way we see that examining the congruence between realism and environmental crisis requires an appraisal of key realist assumptions and recommendations, and hence of their likely implications for the state of the world. The concept of security that is produced in the classic realist texts of the immediate post-war period is clearly dependent on the container schema. However, it is equally clear that the compelling nature of the realist discourse is dependent not on one single schema and derived metaphors, but on a densely interconnected network of schemas and metaphors which are not static but have their own inferential dynamics (Beer & Hariman, 1996, p. 209). That means realism supports all kinds of power seeking techniques inclusive of all weapons of mass destruction. If we analyze the environmental crisis in the light of Darwinian studies of evolution, it is clear that we would find a solid basis which supports both 'realist' theories of international relations and 'rational choice' approaches throughout the social sciences (Masters, 2004). IR policy suggests that if a policy is perceived as a strict response to international structure, it is to argue that there need be no direct connection between a realist perspective in international affairs and one's particular ideological affinity in the 'domestic' sphere. This has been a controversial argument made about Hobbes which represents either realism's greatest strength or its greatest weakness, depending on one's interpretation.