| This paper attempts to answer the question, is the International System the main driving force behind how states act in the international arena? This is examined through a Neoclassical Realist lens and the main subject of this study is the United States and the International System that evolved out of the Cold War into the post-Cold War system to now. With this newly emerged international system, should the U.S. be simply viewed as a world hegemon or an empire? This paper also examines how the most powerful actor in the system (at least for a significant portion of the contemporary era), the United States, and a mid-power position actor, Turkey; adjust foreign policy decisions for military and economic security situations that arise with changing dynamics at the macro international system level for the last 20 years. |
