Question

One of the major on-going debates in U.S. Foreign policy is the one between Realists and Idealists. What are the main arguments of these 2 schools of thought? After having watched the videos with his foreign policy positions, do you think president Trump is a Realist or an Idealist and why?

Answer 1

In politics realism or generally political realism refers to the concept of international politics that focuses on its conflictual and competitive side. It is the opposite of idealism and liberalism that is focused on corporations.

According to realism, there is no single universal principle that all states can follow. The state must beware of its actions and other state's action and should use a pragmatic approach to resolve the issues.

On the other hand, idealism in international policy holds that the state must make its political policies based on human rights and justice standards. These standards are rationally justified and broadly shared through the negotiation process.

Idealism is strongly opposite of realism because idealists believe that realism is pessimistic, self-centered, unable to consider the morality and justifies the wars.

On the other hand, realists criticize the idealists on the basis that the idealism is nothing but a utopian dream that fails to fulfill the personal motives which are both just and rational. It also ignores the realities of fo societies and nature.

Trump is a realistic president because his actions and policies are based on the current situations in neighboring countries and international diaspora rather than what ought to be. His recent actions such as building a wall along with Mexican border and speeches such as speeches against Latinx, Muslims, Asians, etc. Showe that he does not follow moral values or moralism in politics to international policies. Cancelation of the H1B visa is the perfect example fo his realist action because he claimed that it will increase the jobs in the united states. However, due to this action thousands of immigrants lost their jobs in the united states.