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 past 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 few 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 latter’s government. Moreover, most nations believe that despite Hussein’s dictatorial means, he was nonetheless feared hence was able to maintain peaceful coexistence between two Islamic yet conflicting groups- the Sunni and Shi’ite. As regards, the question of the absence of democratic government in Iraq, isn’t the establishment and sustainability of any government dependent on its constituents/nationals? Who is the United States to take away the chance from Iraq’s 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 measure of political power relations among states alongside economic power. States are rational and unitary actors whose decisions are always based on a calculation of survival 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 state’s 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 military 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 solution and a means to furthering state gains. Oil is Iraq’s source of wealth and power. If that was the only missing link to US’ superiority, by all means, US would get 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 every form that made US enter into a catastrophic war.