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.

Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Behavior - Essay Example When discovered, cheating does not only impact the student’s reputation but also his relationship with others. As a form of deception, cheating is used to protect one’s own happiness or merits. It is an actually a selfish act, as it only protects only the personal happiness or contentment of the individual. A student cheats on his homework so he will not get a failing grade. He may be doing it to prevent his parents from being unhappy with him, or he is protecting his name or his benefits. Same as lying, cheating protects something that makes him feel happy or comfortable. But the same with lying, it jeopardizes one’s morality and confidence. It sacrifices confidence as it shows that the person is not confident that he will be able to answer questions on his own. It shows that the person is not able to accept his limitations, and is taking the easy way out in learning and improving himself. Cheating is a shortcut to showing that one knows something factual. It is not from his own understanding. And this indicates lack of self-confidence and lack of perseverance to really understand and learn what he needs to understand and learn. Cheating affects not only the person cheating but also other people around him. Because he is covering up for his lack of knowledge, pretending that he knows something he doesn’t, other people may believe him for his pretentions. And when he slips and the truth is revealed, that he does not really know what he is talking about, people tend to veer away from him. Deceptions are very damaging when discovered. It creates a gap between people. Remember the classic childhood story of The Boy who Cried Wolf? In the end, when one’s deceptions are discovered, it marks his persona and people tend to doubt his words. When it is the truth that they are speaking, they might find that people don’t listen to them anymore. One of the most common undesirable behaviors is lying. There are different forms of lyi ng. People lie because of different reasons. Some forms of lying are cheating, bending the truth, fabricating stories or information and denying what is real or the truth. Anything that is fabricated or deceiving, in the form of oral and written communication, is lying. Everyone has an episode of lying. One of the most common forms of lying is cheating. This is very common with students. Cheating is not just about copying other’s answers during exams or for homeworks, whether intentional or unintentional. It also involves plagiarism, passing another’s work as his own and inventing or fabricating stories that are claimed to be factual. It can also involve stealing answer keys and even revealing answer keys by posting them through the internet or passing it off to friends. When it’s intentional, cheating involves not only the cheater but also the person who allows the cheater to copy his work. This shows that cheating may involve more than one person. Even if the person knows that cheating is bad and that he, himself, is not cheating, in a way he becomes part of the cheating process since he allowed the cheater to cheat using his answers. This shows how cheating affects relationships and the reputation of the cheater and person being used to cheat. The same with lying, one of the common reasons for cheating is to protect something that the cheater is benefiting from. Examples of these are maintaining high grades, getting additional credits, being known as the top in the class and getting attention from the teacher and parents because of the high grades. Another reason might be pressure from peers, wherein the cheater is part of a group who cheats. Jumping in the bandwagon is also another