Snyder, Jack. "One World, Rival Theories". Foreign Policy, No. 145: (2004).

Snyder, Jack. "One World, Rival Theories". Foreign Policy, No. 145: (2004).

• The greatest recent success of Realism has been its ability to explain the American reaction to the 9/11 attacks, which it correctly assumed would be massive and violent because as a superpower America sought to use force to resolve threats, having no good reason not to. Moreover, they argue that Afghanistan was the state backing Al-Qaeda, degrading the importance of non-state actors in their worldview.
• Some realists have argued that foot-dragging by American allies in Europe demonstrates the beginning of a balancing coalition against American hegemony. They contend that the overwhelming power of the US is the only thing keeping other powers from aligning against it.
• Contrary to liberal claims, free trade does not always create democracy. Instead, increased wealth can disrupt patronage networks or spur separatism in ways that undermine peace and democracy. Moreover, economically liberal countries are not necessarily politically liberal.
• While Constructivism can be used to promote greater understandings of idea-based politics and ultimate lead to cross-cultural discussions about the basis of ideas and values to improve mutual understanding, it is often used in a parochial manner to advance Western values by promoting Western values and ignoring other value-based political alternatives.