By Hansol Kang

Senior Editor, Yonsei GSIS Newsletter

In the interview with GSIS Newsletter, Professor Daryl Bockett discussed the role of academia in understanding and addressing international security challenges. He emphasized the importance of academic research in informing policy decisions and understanding historical events. He also shared his perspective on the future of international relations, particularly concerning China's rise to power, the liberal international order, and the backlash against globalization and income inequality. Bockett advised students and young professionals in the field to focus on areas of emerging technology like cybersecurity and UAVs, and to balance career considerations with pursuing their passions.

Self-Introduction

At the beginning of our conversation, Professor Daryl Bockett opened up about his career journey and how his focus evolved over time. Starting his PhD program with an emphasis on conventional arms control, he recognized the potential for better career prospects in other fields. However, after persisting for over a decade, he confessed to a sense of burnout and disillusionment.

Despite this, Professor Bockett never lost his idealistic belief in the power of international relations to effect positive change. "I still think one of the reasons we study this topic, international relations, is to make the world a better place. That's what it's for. That's what government is for. That's what public policy is in theory," he shared, a testament to his enduring commitment to the field.

Interestingly, Bockett's research focus has shifted over the years. He now concentrates more on what he calls "the more traditional areas of great power competition, traditional security [as well as] emerging security threats like cyber." He also acknowledged the changing dynamics between global powers, particularly between China and the United States.

Bockett also spoke passionately about the importance of theories in international relations, with a particular emphasis on realism. "A lot of people seem to treat theories as a matter of fashion... but I tell my students all theories have value," he said, highlighting his belief that even theories considered outdated still have relevance today.

He also pointed out the need for further exploration in the relatively new subfield of cybersecurity. "The discipline of cybersecurity and international relations is so new that I don't think we know what questions to ask yet, let alone have the right answers," he stated, emphasizing the importance of this emerging field.

The New Cold War?

On the topic of a new Cold War, he stated, "In China, I don't think it’s a superpower yet. I think the world is still unipolar." This statement led us to delve deeper into the dynamics of international relations, particularly between China and the United States.

Professor Bockett highlighted the transitional phase we are in, where the dynamics of a Cold War are starting at a lower level. He said, "A lot of the conflict and competition that people are talking about now and describing as a new Cold War. That is just the water is heating up. It hasn't started boiling yet." (He later apologized for mixing metaphors).  He argued that if China's growth trajectory continues and the US maintains its superpower position, we could see an internet 'splinternet' where different countries or regions break off their internet from other parts of the world.

However, Professor Bockett emphasized that he doesn't see China as a global power yet but rather a regional power. He said, "China is strong enough in the Asian region. Where does China have all of its strength? And in the US, power is sort of diminished by having to extend across the ocean, for example, in a war [over] Taiwan."

He believes we are living through a period in which China has the ambition of a true superpower and that the most powerful countries in the world will always focus on each other because they threaten each other. 

Why Care about International Relations?

Professor Daryl Bockett expressed a passionate plea for greater political engagement from the public. He argued that people often underestimate the importance of politics in their daily lives and the larger societal implications. "People treat politics like it's okay, there's an election every four or five years. I guess I'll go out and vote, and I'll come back in another four or five years and see how it went," he lamented. He stressed that this apathetic approach to politics often leads to the election of unqualified or corrupt politicians.

Bockett highlighted the case of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who was found guilty of corrupt business practices yet still maintains a substantial political following. Bockett suggested that if people paid more attention to politics, they would be more discerning about the individuals they choose to support, which could lead to more competent and ethical leadership.

The professor also underlined the importance of international relations, which he argued can directly or indirectly affect individuals' lives. He cited the example of the Chinese boycott of South Korean tourism and entertainment, which had significant economic impacts. Moreover, he drew attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, arguing that regardless of one's geographical distance from such events, individuals should care about these issues out of shared humanity.

Bockett still shared a note of hope, asserting that while individuals may feel powerless, collective action can make a difference. He suggested that even in dictatorships where governments attempt to suppress public opinion, they are still fundamentally fearful of the people's will. In his view, political engagement is the only way to effect positive change. "If you don't care about politics, you don't have a voice in that change," he concluded.

Academia’s Role in International Security

When asked about the role of academia in understanding and addressing International Security challenges, Professor Bockett was quick to emphasize the importance of academic insight. "Academia tells you how the world works," he said. It provides a detailed understanding of policy impacts and outcomes. He argued that academics can provide valuable insight into policy questions, such as how to adjust tax rates for the wealthy to achieve desired outcomes.

He also argued for the value of academic perspectives in foreign policy discussions. For instance, he mentioned the contrasting approaches of Biden and Trump toward Iran, with Biden believing that any deal is better than no deal and Trump arguing that no deal is better than a bad deal. "As academics or scholars, we can give our takes," said Bockett.

Professor Bockett further criticized Trump's handling of the Iran nuclear deal, noting that this was a clear instance where academic input could have been valuable. "That is a classic example of someone who needed an academic to whisper in his ear and say this is a good deal. Don't be stupid. Don't blow it up."

Bockett argued that understanding other countries' perspectives is crucial in international relations, and academics play an essential role. He highlighted the need for people who understand Iran's worldview to prevent demonization and foster better relations.

According to Bockett, academia’s role extends beyond policy analysis and advice. It also involves storytelling and maintaining a record of history. "Today, maybe academics are the hopefully wise but old keepers of history," Bockett remarked. He acknowledged that, like all human institutions, academia is flawed but insisted that academics, driven by the incentive to understand and explain the world, are more likely to get it right than those driven by partisan or monetary incentives.

Prospects for the Future of International Security

When asked about his foresight on emerging trends in the field of international studies, he identified that much would depend on the future of the liberal international order, the institutions that have supported the unipolar period of American predominance.

Professor Bockett observed that the liberal international order is currently under pressure due to a rise of not just conservatism but in some cases, actual fascism in many countries. This seems to be a backlash against economic inequality and the facets of globalization like immigration, social justice, and inclusion.

However, he remained optimistic, drawing parallels with the historical process of social progress. He cited the progress made in gender and LGBTQIA+ equality, despite occasional setbacks, as evidence that social progress, though often challenged, tends to advance over time.

In terms of international law and peace, Professor Bockett acknowledged current challenges, citing ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, and between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Despite this, he argued that most people in the world benefit from a system where the rights of the weak are upheld, and the strong cannot simply exert their will without constraint.

Therefore, he concluded that the big keyword for the future of international security will likely be the "liberal international order.” If it is not, he warned that we might be heading towards a fairly dark place.

Advice for Students

Before concluding our conversation, Professor Bockett shared some career advice for students and young professionals in the field of international relations and security. He underlined that academic life isn't for everyone and urged individuals to consider their interests and goals.

Bockett encouraged those interested in emerging technologies to develop skills in areas such as cybersecurity and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), as these fields are rapidly advancing and in high demand. He also emphasized the importance of following your dreams with a dose of pragmatism, sharing his personal experience of focusing on Arms Control, which didn't lead him where he expected.

However, he believes that if you're fresh out of college and have a dream, it's worth pursuing for a few years to see where it leads. Most importantly, he stressed the value of finding happiness in your work, stating, "There is no substitute for doing a job that you love."

Lastly, Bockett expressed a desire to see more students venture into areas often overlooked but crucial to society: law enforcement, military, the intelligence services, and above all, journalism. He believes these fields significantly shape society, but are often overlooked by students from great schools, who may perceive them as beneath them. He contends that these areas are not only essential but also offer rewarding career paths.