The Imbalance of Trade in the Global Marketplace: An Analysis of Realism in International Relations

Abstract

For the world’s wealthiest nations, globalization is the last frontier. Business enterprises around the globe are racing neck-in-neck to secure a top spot at what is becoming a total world economy. This phenomenon raises the question of how the expanding global market is affecting the pre-existing world order. Realism in international relations places national interests over moral concerns and social reconstruction. Therefore, this paper hypothesizes that the current approach to globalization coincides with realism in international relations. As the contest of global expansion intensifies, a primary component of this engagement involves understanding how each participant is being affected. The application of realist thought to development in the global market is starkly inconsistent with humanitarian ideals popularized by the mainstream politicians in wealthy nations. Quantitative and qualitative data were compiled using the archival method of examining scholarly books, journals, and online resources. These sources were supplemented by expert interviews. Triangulative methodology was utilized to evaluate the data. The results suggest that, as it stands, current efforts toward globalization intensify the disparities between rich and poor countries.