Neorealism War Avoided in Thirteen Days - 1529 Words

The film Thirteen Days chronicles the clash between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Told from the perspective of American Kenny O’Donnell, the movie depicts the discovery of missiles in Cuba, followed by deliberations on an appropriate response and the United States’ decision to enact a blockade. Though relations between the United States and the Soviet Union were precarious for a time during the film, eventual negotiations between the two succeeded in averting war. Events in this film can be regarded as examples of international relations (IR), and subsequently, IR theories can be applied to the movie. One such theory is that of neorealism. The â€Å"progeny of realism,† neorealism takes many of its traits from its predecessor. Much like realism, neorealism places states at the forefront of international relations as the main actors. Neorealism also acts on the premise that the â€Å"international realm is disting uished by the lack of a central authority† and strengthens this assumption, believing in â€Å"the importance of the structure of the international system and its role as the primary determinant of state behaviour.† To neorealism, anarchy is what the system is, not a condition of it. Another main principle of neorealism is that of self-help, a â€Å"principle of action in an anarchical system where there is no global government.† Self help is the idea that one must look after itself for there is no higher authority to give aid.