Russia’s President Putin-Realist

Russian President Vladimir Putin can be classified as a realist. Realists focus on the anarchical nature of the international system and believe that states will cooperate only when it is in their self-interest. It is a theoretical perspective that puts a lot of emphasis on state sovereignty as they are of the opinion that the world system is anarchical. His realist approach to the global politics is evident in his address to the Federal Assembly. According to Putin, every state must pursue their national interests and struggle for power.  In this address, Putin is categorical that Russia has taken a leading role in ensuring that friendly countries like Ukraine have maintained their sovereignty.’’ Every nation has an inalienable sovereign right to determine its development path, choose allies and political regimes, create an economy and ensure its security.’’ (“Address by Russian President Putin to the Federal Assembly”, 2016). He strongly condemns the Ukrainian government coup resulting from the disagreement between the government and opposition in regards joining the EU.  As a realist, Putin paints the actions of his nation as justifiable. Nevertheless, Putin is angered by the coup against President Yanukovych, who seemed determined to undermine his power and did little to promote Ukraine’s state interests. By being against the coup, Putin is only considering the influence of Russia as a global superpower. As a realist, Putin is determined to ensure that Russia is still an international powerhouse. This is despite the fact that it’s not at all clear just how annexing Crimea made Russia stronger (“Address by Russian President Putin to the Federal Assembly”, 2016). Nor is it clear how destroying one-third of the Donbas in eastern Ukraine benefited Russia or Putin. In essence, the whole address paints Putin as a person who has Moscow’s interests and his interests at the expense of the Ukrainians.

The United States’ President Obama -Liberalist  

President Obama can be classified as liberalist. Liberalists are people from the school of thought that believes that groups and organizations are critical actors to the power and influence of a country. Libertarians believe that the placement of all the attention on the state is exaggerated. Power is not just held by the state but by groups – in positive ways and negative ones, too. So liberalists focus upon non-state actors and the rules and institutions that have developed around their interactions. This is evident by the President Obama’s take on the foreign relationship between Cuba and the United States (Roberts, 2014). For several decades, the United States have isolated Cuba both politically and economically. Nevertheless, President Barrack Obama is determined to reverse this position that has been in existent for several years.  Obama is of the opinion that international cooperation between Cuba and the United States will lead to increased advances in social and economic engagement between the two countries. “In one of the most significant changes in our policy in more than 50 years, we will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interest, and instead, we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries,” Obama said in a televised statement (Roberts, 2014). Liberalists are of the opinion that cooperation with the international system is essential to deal with the anarchy that is rampant in the world. President Obama is convinced that the relationship between these two countries will help improve trade and social relations and hence instrumental for mutual benefit.

Iran’s President Rouhani-constructivist

Iran’s President Rouhani, on the other hand, can be classified as a constructivist. Constructivists are of the opinion that the world system is anarchical because that is how we all conceive of it. Nevertheless, they argue that we can change the system in the way we want it to be by making good use of the ideas we have. Rouhani expressed his constructivism in his televised address against corruption. In the speech, President Rouhani is seemed angered by the frequent corruption cases involving his government officers. He stresses the importance of the Iranians to change this approach and idea of corruption and change the system. “Apply all our power in fighting corruption.’’Rouhani in a televised speech (“Iran’s President Rouhani warns against corruption – BBC News”, 2016). He introduces the idea of banning monopolies that he cites as the main cause of the thriving problem of corruption in Iran. Also, the president has also expressed his concern for extremism in international relations between Iran and other countries. ‘’ Indeed, regarding foreign policy, my government is discarding extreme approaches. We seek effective and constructive diplomatic relations and a focus on mutual confidence-building with our neighbors and other regional and international actors, thereby enabling us to orient our foreign policy toward economic development at home.’’ He points the importance of international interaction to promote peace and economic development (Rouhani, Patten, Skidelsky, & Spence, 2014). Changing ideas and identities can create systemic change and that actors can become powerful when their efforts to influence discourse and norms succeed. It is on this premise that Rouhani wanted significant changes in Islamic revolution as well as the international relation of the country.

References

Address by Russian President Putin to the Federal Assembly. (2016). Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 26 June 2016, from http://www.cfr.org/russian-federation/address-russian-president-putin-federal-assembly/p33983

Iran’s President Rouhani warns against corruption – BBC News. (2016). BBC News. Retrieved 26 June 2016, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30378662

Roberts, W. (2014). In bold move on Cuba, Obama asserts powers. Aljazeera.com. Retrieved 26 June 2016, from http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/12/bold-move-cuba-obama-asserts-powers-201412209835700563.html

Rouhani, H., Patten, C., Skidelsky, R., & Spence, M. (2014). What Iran Wants in 2014. Project Syndicate. Retrieved 26 June 2016, from https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/hassan-rouhani-on-iran-s-new-moderation

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