Why does Barber believe that the realist paradigm fails to provide U.S. guidance for U.S. foreign policy in the 21st century?
Barber believed that the realist paradigm fails to provide guidance for U.S foreign policy in the 21st century because the U.S concentrated more on the belief of individual states being the most important units for the success of the nation. The U.S regarded the international aspect as archaic therefore it failed to interact with other nations on the belief that they can succeed if they concentrate on their individualistic life. He argues that the states tend to major in pursuit of self-interest and forgetting the importance of the interacting with the other states. The states strive in order to maximize their potential in attainment of resources. The States therefore am at survival on their own. The U.S therefore could not attain much in relation to the guidance of the foreign policy due to this characteristic of realist paradigm.
In the context of this documentary, the U.S is seen to treat Islam as associated with lack of peace and terrorism activities. This film shows that Islam is a religion that promotes peace as opposed to the misconception and belief of the U.S. The U.S treats Islam too be associated with violence. The documentary therefore reflects the realist paradigm where the U.S regards the international aspect as archaic and self-independent. The main aim of this documentary is to send the message to the West that Islam is a religion that does not support violence but it promotes peace in the society.
In conclusion, the realist paradigm greatly affected the U.S in achievement in relation to guidance of the foreign policy. The U.S therefore failed in matters pertaining to foreign affairs in the 21st century. The U.S should adopt the liberal aspect in order to welcome interaction with foreign countries freely.
References
Islam - What the West Needs to Know (full) [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xCdehrV96U
Salem, A. A. (2012). What is constructivist about realism?: Constructivist critiquing of the the realist paradigm in international relations. Saarbrücken, Germany: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing.
