Realism is one of the basic theories in international relations which explains that states are actors who will instinctively fight for their power, national interests, territorial integrity, national strength and foreign policy. Apart from that, this theory also believes in the Balance of Power system.
If we look at Taylor Swift's concert through the eyes of international relations students, then the seizure of the concert by several countries in Southeast Asia is an example of real action in the national interests of each country (Struggle for Power). It cannot be denied that the economic growth provided by the Taylor Swift concert is the main target for countries to increase state income.
In the work Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace (1948), he explains the fundamental principles of realism, one of which is that international politics is filled with prejudice. In fact, it can be seen that Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin accused Singapore of making a special agreement, not to hold concerts in other countries to maintain the exclusivity of concerts in Singapore itself.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that "Our agency negotiated an agreement with her (Swift) to come to Singapore and perform and make Singapore her only stop in Southeast Asia. And there were certain incentives given to him from our Tourism Development Fund, and an agreement was reached," on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at a press conference in Australia by Indian Express.
In this case it can be seen that each country has its own national interests and goals. Indonesia is a country with quite a lot of Taylor Swift fans, so is Indonesia capable of holding exclusive concerts like Singapore? "Indonesia is able to hold concerts like Singapore does because infrastructure such as the GBK Stadium (Gelora Bung Karno) is very comparable to the stadiums in Singapore, but perhaps Indonesia is still behind in terms of transportation." said Prilla Marsingga, S.Sos., M.I.Pol., Lecturer at Singaperbangsa University Karawang.
