The Increasing Importance of Complexity in International Relations Essay

The Increasing Importance of Complexity in International Relations - Essay Example Thus, the environment for each state is no longer limited to its internal and neighboring environment. The increasing number of factors makes it quite challenging to analyze the international environment for any country. Traditional analytical models that are based on linear relationships are no longer sufficient to explain the complex phenomena of international relations. The twentieth century approaches focused on managing order are giving way to fresher approaches (Rengger, 212) . Hence, complexity has become an increasingly important aspect of research on international relations. It offers an opportunity to apply a general systems theory to the analysis of international events. The international environment today is more complex and open than a decade ago. Factors such as globalization, climate change and terrorism have contributed much to integrate the world along several dimensions. This paper explains the increasing importance of complexity in international relations by identi fying the components of complexity theory and explaining their relevance to contemporary international events as well as past events that have significantly impacted on the present state of affairs. Concepts such as interdependence, fitness, and coevolution are discussed along with other essential concepts. The paper concludes with an overall assessment of the value can understanding of complexity can provide to the study of international relations.... Complexity theory offers an explanation for identifying and acknowledging such relationships. Its concepts and principles can be applied to analyze relationships between individual actors and the areas where mutual benefits and risks lie. The rapid pace of globalization is one of the major stimuli that have made complexity theory increasingly relevant to the study of international relations. Under the WTO agreements, the economies of individual countries have become increasingly dependent on one another. In addition, regional alliances such as ASEAN and the EU have made the economic and political systems of nation states dependent on one another. The most recent examples of such interdependence can be observed in the 2008 global financial crisis and the more recent Euro debt crisis. Events such as a sub-prime crisis in the US have affected economies around the world, mainly because the US is today the centre of the global economic system. Similarly, a debt crisis originating in Greec e has raised issues for the well-being of the German economy. Complexity theory can increase our understanding of such contemporary issues by supporting existing theories and concepts. Fitness and International Relations Complexity theory aims to explain the fitness between an actor and its environment. The concept of fitness is an integral component of complexity theory and treats an actor as a member that can affect and is also affected by changes taking place in the environment (Clemens, 13). Thus, in complexity theory individual actors are assumed to act in a complex environment. A complex environment is characterized by a large number of

A+ Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

A+ - Assignment Example Question 2: In economics, the concept of allocation of resources is sometimes linked to efficiency and equity. Efficiency and equity often come in contrast to each other and in most instances both cannot be maintained. There is a difference of treatment of employees of high tech firms compared to those of the franchising firms. This is because the high tech firm employees are more economically efficient as their work has greater returns. This results in better compensations. On the other hand the returns of other workers like salesman or layman is lower compared to those at high level white collar jobs. As in economics people prefer efficiency rather than equity those who are more efficient get more benefits. Question 3: This is again related to efficiency and equity. â€Å"Related to the notions of efficiency and equity is that of social welfare and a concept called Pareto efficiency, named for the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. If no reallocation of resources or trade of goods and service can be made that increases value to some individual without anyone else being made worse off, the situation is Pareto efficient.† (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Therefore, as mentioned above by allowing for equitable distribution in some situations there is a chance of not only achieving Pareto efficiency but also increasing the standard of living of the people. This may in turn increase spending and will inject money back into the economy. Therefore, in an entirety this is beneficial. Question 4: The higher gasoline price is a matter of concern for the government. This is because it will increase prices and cause further inflation and unrest. Therefore, the government will encourage them to buy hybrid care. This can be done by reducing the taxation on these hybrid cars. Adding a support price will also be an excellent benefit. This can be further reinforced by increasing taxation on the gasoline fueled care. As the costs of those cars