Realism During the 1994 Rwanda Genocide - 1215 Words

Realism is one of the oldest and most popular theories in International Relations. It offers a perspective about competition and power, and can be used to explain the actions between states. An example of realism is the U.S. reaction – or lack thereof – during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. All branches of realism share some central tenets. Realists believe that the world exists in a state of anarchy. Since there is not a world government to keep states from attacking each other, or to punish them when they do, it becomes very important for each government to be able to protect itself and ensure its survival. It is also why states are considered the most important actors in realism. Due to the anarchy, the world operates†¦show more content†¦On May 25, 1994, U.S. president, Bill Clinton, wrote in a letter to Representative Harry Johnston, â€Å"The White House issued a strong public statement calling for the Rwandan Army and the Rwandan Patriotic Front to do every thing in their power to end the violence immediately. This followed an earlier statement by me calling for a cease-fire and the cessation of the killings† (qtd. in Baldauf). It seems that by calling out those engaged in the conflict, the U.S. took the responsibility from themselves and took no further action. In the post-Cold War era, it is not surprising that most other countries followed the lead of the U.S. and also chose to not take any significant action Realists assume that the end goal of all states is to become more powerful. When looking at the situation from the perspective of a realist, one must note that the U.S. would not have gained any power from stopping the genocide. Rwanda was and is not a threat to the power of the U.S, nor can it add to the power of the U.S. Had the genocide taken place in a larger and more influential state, the U.S. may have reacted very differently because of how it affected the balance of power in the world. A realist might argue that the U.S. would have lost power by involving themselves with the crisis in Rwanda. The U.S. often has troops divided into different states for reasons that support national interest, and sending them to Rwanda would have only further divided them. It would have beenShow MoreRelatedHumanitarian Intervention Essay1198 Words   |  5 Pagesprotect the basic human rights of civilians during civil wars and during crime against humanity. 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