ABSTRACT
NO ONE THEORY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS PERMITS A full analysis of the myriad ways in which nations interact. Thus far, this book has adopted the “realist” approach to explaining the factors that have most influenced Venezuela and the United States in their relationship. Each country comes to the table with its history, its geographical forces, and its longterm interests and seeks to use its diplomatic, economic, and social connections with the rest of the world to benefit as much as possible its own national goals. The world balance of power may be taken as a starting position, and every country tries to act on it to tilt the results in its favor. Changes occur in the global scheme that impel reactions, and those nations with greater ability to influence outcomes enjoy an advantage over the others. Depending on their resources, both natural and man-made, the different states in the world system vie for benefits with greater and lesser success in different issue areas.
