Examination of Changing Dynamics in International Relations Questions

I’m working on a business question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.

Both of our authors are noted Realists. K. Waltz was the founder of Neorealism, a theory of IR which arose explicitly after his 1979 work Theory of International Politics.  J. Mearsheimer is among the intellectual successors of K. Waltz, and has developed his own variation of Neorealism called “Offensive Realism”. 

Consider these readings as consisting of two parts (not exactly two articles, but two parts).

Part 1 ends in Waltz and Part 2 begins in Waltz as well.

Part 1 is Waltz discussing why Realism is still very relevant and why alternatives to this theory of IR have not trumped it.

Part 2 starts (around p. 22) when Waltz begins to discuss more specific current and future relations between states, their capabilities, their prospects, and the chances for the survival of the unipolar world. That is where we should view Mearsheimer’s 2019 article. He, in a way, continues and concludes what Waltz was discussing (from around p. 22 onwards).

K.Waltz “Structural Realism After the Cold War” (2000)

Question 1: we will discuss this in class. You don’t need to respond to this question here. Just to #2 and #3.

However, do read attentively and keep these in mind.

Democratic Peace Theory,   Interdependence,   and  International Institutions – each of these has been proposed as a better alternative to Realism  for explaining International Relations. In other words, it was claimed that they are better suited to a globalized world than the “outdated Realism”.  

What are Waltz’s arguments against each of these? Or why does each of the three fall short as an alternative to Realism, according to him? 

Questions 2 & 3: For the Discussion Board

2. Regarding Waltz’s predictions (2001) of the future developments and his commentary on current affairs (2001): what are his essential points regarding 

a. Restoration of the balance of power – or how long will uni-polarity last? How will it come to an end?

b. NATO’s eastward expansion and the relations between the West and Russia, as well as Russia and China.

c. Prospects and limitations of the EU as a major international player: what is EU potential? What are its limitations? What does Waltz think of EU as a power player for the future?

3. Mearsheimer “Bound To Fail”  (2019) is a sort of conclusion to Waltz’s introduction and main body.

a. What are the several reasons as to why the global liberal world order is failing? Consider social forces, ideology, and geopolitics at work in this trend.

b. What arrangements or “orders” are to replace it, in his conjecture?