Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye discussed interdependence and transnationalism in their first publication, "Power and Interdependence," published in 1977. The publication coincided with the decade of the United Nations (UN). A development where States push towards economic growth and social progress. The 1970s were also a particularly quiet period during the Cold War and this is where the European Community (EC) really bore fruit. The world was moving forward at a considerable pace and old schools of thought seemed increasingly irrelevant to understanding world politics. Keohane and Nye cited organizations such as the EC and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), arguing that these, coupled with the rise of multinational corporations and intergovernmental organizations such as the World Bank and the Monetary Fund internationally, have destroyed the old schools of thought. , they no longer applied to this new international system. The traditional view of world politics was realism, this theory focused on security as the main factor in world politics, this meant that political integration between states was seen as light and viable only as long as it served the interest national of the state. Transnational actors were thought to not exist or have any political importance. The balance of power was decided militarily and had to remain stable (Keohane & Nye, 2011: 20). With the changes brought by the 1970s and transnationalism becoming more prevalent and evident, many believed that realism no longer described the world. “Interdependence means mutual dependence… characterized by reciprocal effects between countries or between actors from different countries” (Keohane & Nye, 2011: 7). This mutual dependence can further...... middle of paper ...... ideas such as globalization. In an ever-changing world, constantly evolving systems are certainly necessary. Works cited by the BBC. (2011, September). North Korea profile. Accessed December 2011 from BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/country_profiles/1131421.stm#factsClavin, P. (2005). Defining transnationalism. Contemporary European History, 14(4), 421-439. Goldstein, JS (2001). International Relations (4th ed.). New York: Longman. Keohane, RO and Nye, JS (2011). Power and interdependence. (4th, ed.) Boston: Longman.NPR. (2005, April). 50th anniversary of McDonald's. Accessed December 2011 from NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4600471 Sullivan, MP (1982). Transnationalism, power politics and the realities of the current system - Globalism versus realism. (R. Maghroori and B. Ramberg, eds.) Colorado: Westview.