International Cooperation During the Covid-19 Pandemic Crisis: A Realist Analysis

Abstract

Although COVID-19 has brought about a global health crisis that does not recognize national borders and requires a strong international cooperation, contrary to expectations, the world actors could not achieve international cooperation. States have acted in a selfish way by ignoring the needs and concerns of other countries and tried to foster their role and power in the international system. Consequently, this situation has made this study to use the assumptions of realist theory of International Relations regarding anarchy, self-interest, distribution of powers and so on. In this article, it is concluded that the conditions and motives expressed by these concepts have made the states tend to protect themselves and increase their power instead of focusing on cooperation during the health crisis. Additionally, the current situation in distribution of power, which refers to the bipolarity between the US and China has remained in effect.