Empirical Illustration of Major Theories of Realism and Liberalism in International Relations

This study discusses crucial issues in international relations by recalling the relevant theories of Realism and Liberalism. It further outlines several factors or forces that influence the relations among nations. In the study, we have utilized as urgent illustrations several selected empirical cases in the realm of international relations. As a narrative research, the study has revealed that Liberalism theory gained popularity after the Second World War, indeed between 1939 and 1945. At the time, problems with gigantic dimensions had been created by the war, hence some nations came together to create an international entity , known as the United Nations Organization (UNO), to help build either a peaceful or harmonious world. While our study found that Liberalism theory recognises that the world is a dangerous place, we have concluded that t the consequences of using military power (i.e. to foment wars) can endanger the world the more. Therefore, our contention in the study is that economic power (of course, not the imperial way) can be used to compel other nations to do what is expected of them without the destruction of properties as well as the maiming and killing of others. Conversely, the study found that Realism theory is built on the belief that military power is the primary basis of international relations. An example is that during the time of the Cold War, the prevailing notion was for much stronger or more powerful nations to have dominion over other weaker nations. This situation prompted several weaker countries to seek protection by aligning themselves with stronger countries of either the East or the West, thus perverting their non-aligned status. It is always part of our thesis that, in g the same Cold War period, some stronger countries also used threats of their military power either to bully or to “colonize” (or “neo-colonialize”) several weaker nations. Therefore, what emerged at the time were countries that constituted themselves into such military power blocs or axis, including the West’s North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance and the former Soviet bloc’s erstwhile Warsaw Pact alliance. It is part of the conclusions of our study that, under the prevailing circumstances, the stronger countries used their military might to serve their respective interests, especially in their relations with the weaker nations of the world. In the final analysis, it was generally felt that the weaker countries of the developing world – sometimes referred to negatively as Third World nations -- were compelled to do what they (as weaker nations) would otherwise not have ordinarily done. Keywords: Colonialism, Neo-Colonialism, Nations, Realism, Liberalism, Theories, and Relations

The Effect of Knowledge Management and Motivation on Organizational Performance: A Case of Techiman Municipal Assembly, Ghana

In the 21st century, managing knowledge globally in organizations has become a big challenge.  In particular, it has become very difficult for researchers to ascertain how knowledge management and motivation generally impact organizational performance. Our study seeks to ascertain the effect of knowledge management and motivation on organizational performance in a localized context, with a study of the Techiman Municipal Assembly of the Brong Ahafo Region of the West African nation of Ghana. While, a descriptive approach is to be employed in the study, the population of the study has been pegged at three hundred and eighty (380) junior and senior staff employees, who were randomly selected for the purpose of our study. Operationally, a sample size of one hundred and ninety-five (195) members has been selected by utilizing the Taro Yamani formula at a significance level of 5%. Stratified random sampling technique has also been utilized to identify the categories of staff for consideration. Questionnaire instruments were designed and subsequently used to collect data for the study. The variables were coded and descriptive statistics, along with regression analysis, were employed in the process. Our  findings have, so far, revealed that the most prominent knowledge management practices at the Techiman Municipal Assembly constitute training through induction and workshop (with Mean score=3.98), and a seminar (with Mean score=3.89), all of which are  identified as knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing, respectively. The study is also expected to reveal  that the most crucial  challenge in managing knowledge at the Techiman Municipal Assembly is  the lack of processes for conversion of implicit knowledge to explicit Knowledge (with Mean score=4.11). Furthermore, the findings of the study shows a significant positive relationship between knowledge management and organizational performance (r = 0.362ᵃ, sig. value=0.000), as well as motivation and organizational performance (r = 0.333ᵃ, sig. value=0.001). Furthermore, multiple regression has, as well, been conducted, which has indicated that a significant positive relationship between knowledge management and motivation (independent variables) and organizational performance (r = 0.395ᵃ, sig. value=0.000) does exist.  The study, overall, recommends that there is the need for the assembly’s management to develop localized motivational strategy and packages, which will promote job advancements, job rotation, accommodation, recognition, promotion, and cash rewards for the employees, incentives that are expected to motivate employees to the extent of ultimately making them willing to share their maximum knowledge to bring about higher quality as well as sterling performance. Keywords: Assembly, Municipal, Region, Knowledge, Management, Motivation, Organizational Performance, and Public Secto