Is President Bush a Realist?

President George Bush tried to be a realist, but I think he could not be a realist. He believed power is the primary factor in International Relations. However, exerting power is not only dominance approaches but reciprocity or identity approaches that contain diplomatic skills and soft powers. This essay criticizes three mistakes that show President bush cannot be considered as a realist. 

First, Realism is not just dominance. In the post-Cold War era, the balance of power theory affects allies of U.S. many leaders have criticized the United States as a hyper power. Also, In the Bush's first term, he pursued a very aggressive foreign policy. These created many rifts with other countries. According to Textbook, the survey of 38000 people in 44 nations showed the dramatic drop in support for the United States. These upsurge of anti-American sentiment in allies including South Korea, Japan, and Europe failed to derive cooperation in missile defense, world market, and Global Warming. As the conclusion, Bush Administration was America-centered and indifferent in the relationship with other allies or neutral countries. 

To continue, President Bush act against the National Interest of United States. Textbook introduces 33 Realist IR scholars signed the warning that "war with Iraq is not in America's national interest". Until 2011, U.S had spent approximately $2.5 trillion in the Iraq and the Afghanistan. In addition, U.S should pay future bills which include caring for military veterans. Therefore, several wars lasted in his presidency became a part of the economic crisis in 2008. In the textbook page 37, "Thus realists do not always favor using military power. The United States lost too much because of Iraq and Afghanistan war bush administration could not handle Latin America's political changes toward anti-American government. 

Additionally, not just Latin America, President Bush could not prevent rising of Russia and China. Immoderate expansion of NATO regardless Russia caused Russo-Georgian War, but his administration shows incompetency. This mistake makes Eastern Europe countries reconsider about joining NATO. Ultimately, This strategical mistake allows Russia to regain power in Eastern Europe. Also in Northeast Asia, his administration could not moderate conflicts between South Korea and Japan. His strategical ignorance have stimulated future power transition. 

As a conclusion, President Bush is not the realist even though he tried to be the realist. Important decisions in his presidency are mostly emotional based on the "justice of U.S. as a superpower" not the realistic consideration of world politics. The United States has lost the support of allies, money, and leaderships. To sum up, He can be idealist based on "Great America as a superpower" but not the realist.