🏴‍☠️Intro to International Relations Unit 2 – Theories in IR: Realism, Liberalism & More

Key Concepts and Definitions

• International Relations (IR) the study of interactions between states, non-state actors, and other entities in the global system
• Theories in IR frameworks that explain and predict how states and other actors behave in the international system
• Realism emphasizes the role of power, self-interest, and the anarchic nature of the international system in shaping state behavior
  • Classical Realism focuses on human nature as the primary driver of state behavior
  • Neorealism or Structural Realism emphasizes the structure of the international system as the key determinant of state behavior
• Liberalism stresses the importance of cooperation, international institutions, and the potential for progress in international relations
  • Neoliberalism emphasizes the role of international institutions and regimes in facilitating cooperation
  • Interdependence Theory highlights the complex web of economic, social, and political ties that bind states together
• Constructivism emphasizes the role of ideas, norms, and identities in shaping state behavior and the international system
• Marxism and Critical Theory focus on the role of economic factors, class relations, and power structures in international relations

Historical Context

• IR theories emerged in the early 20th century, largely in response to the devastation of World War I and the desire to prevent future conflicts
• Realism gained prominence in the interwar period and during the Cold War, as scholars sought to explain the behavior of great powers and the dynamics of bipolar competition
• Liberalism gained traction after World War II, as the creation of the United Nations and other international institutions seemed to offer the promise of a more cooperative international order
• The end of the Cold War and the acceleration of globalization in the 1990s led to renewed interest in theories that could explain the changing nature of the international system
  • The rise of non-state actors, such as multinational corporations and NGOs, challenged traditional state-centric theories
  • The increasing importance of economic, environmental, and social issues in international relations led to the development of new theoretical approaches

Major IR Theories

• Realism
  • States are the primary actors in the international system
  • The international system is anarchic, meaning there is no central authority to enforce rules or norms
  • States are driven by self-interest and the pursuit of power
  • Cooperation is difficult due to the lack of trust and the constant threat of conflict
• Liberalism
  • Emphasizes the potential for cooperation and progress in international relations
  • Stresses the importance of international institutions, regimes, and norms in shaping state behavior
  • Believes that economic interdependence and the spread of democracy can promote peace and stability
• Constructivism
  • Focuses on the role of ideas, norms, and identities in shaping state behavior and the international system
  • Argues that the international system is socially constructed and can be changed through the power of ideas and discourse
• Marxism and Critical Theory
  • Emphasize the role of economic factors, class relations, and power structures in international relations
  • Critique the capitalist world order and the unequal distribution of wealth and power in the international system

Realism in Detail

• Classical Realism
  • Rooted in the works of thinkers such as Thucydides, Machiavelli, and Hobbes
  • Emphasizes the role of human nature in driving state behavior
  • Argues that the desire for power and the fear of others are inherent in human nature and shape international relations
• Neorealism or Structural Realism
  • Developed by Kenneth Waltz in the 1970s
  • Focuses on the structure of the international system as the key determinant of state behavior
  • Argues that the distribution of power among states is the most important factor in shaping international outcomes
  • Distinguishes between bipolar (two dominant powers) and multipolar (several great powers) systems
• Offensive Realism
  • Variant of neorealism developed by John Mearsheimer
  • Argues that states are not content with the status quo and always seek to maximize their relative power
  • Believes that great powers are driven by the desire for hegemony and will pursue expansionist policies when the opportunity arises
• Defensive Realism
  • Another variant of neorealism, associated with scholars such as Stephen Walt and Charles Glaser
  • Argues that states are primarily concerned with maintaining their security and survival
  • Believes that states will pursue moderate policies and avoid unnecessary conflicts in order to preserve their position in the international system

Liberalism Unpacked

• Neoliberalism
  • Focuses on the role of international institutions and regimes in facilitating cooperation among states
  • Argues that institutions can help states overcome collective action problems and promote mutually beneficial outcomes
  • Examples include the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the International Monetary Fund
• Interdependence Theory
  • Developed by Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye in the 1970s
  • Emphasizes the complex web of economic, social, and political ties that bind states together
  • Argues that increasing interdependence can reduce the likelihood of conflict and promote cooperation
  • Highlights the role of non-state actors, such as multinational corporations and NGOs, in shaping international relations
• Democratic Peace Theory
  • Posits that democracies are less likely to go to war with each other
  • Argues that shared democratic norms and institutions, as well as the constraints of public opinion, make war between democracies less likely
  • Has been used to justify policies of democracy promotion and the expansion of liberal institutions
• Commercial Liberalism
  • Emphasizes the pacifying effects of international trade and economic interdependence
  • Argues that states with strong economic ties are less likely to engage in conflict due to the high costs of disrupting trade
  • Believes that free trade and open markets can promote peace and prosperity

Other Important Theories

• English School
  • Focuses on the concept of international society and the norms and institutions that govern state behavior
  • Distinguishes between international system (based on power politics) and international society (based on shared norms and values)
  • Emphasizes the role of diplomacy, international law, and the balance of power in maintaining international order
• Feminism
  • Examines the role of gender in international relations and the ways in which gender shapes power relations and political outcomes
  • Critiques the masculine bias in traditional IR theories and the marginalization of women's experiences and perspectives
  • Highlights issues such as the gendered impact of war, the role of women in peacebuilding, and the intersection of gender with other forms of oppression
• Postcolonialism
  • Focuses on the legacy of colonialism and the ways in which it continues to shape international relations
  • Examines the unequal power relations between the Global North and the Global South and the ongoing struggles for decolonization and self-determination
  • Critiques the Eurocentric bias in traditional IR theories and the marginalization of non-Western perspectives and experiences

Comparing and Contrasting Theories

• Realism vs. Liberalism
  • Realism emphasizes power politics and the pursuit of self-interest, while liberalism stresses the potential for cooperation and progress
  • Realism sees the international system as anarchic and conflictual, while liberalism believes in the possibility of a more peaceful and orderly world
  • Realism focuses on states as the primary actors, while liberalism also considers the role of non-state actors and international institutions
• Constructivism vs. Rationalism
  • Constructivism emphasizes the role of ideas, norms, and identities in shaping international relations, while rationalism (which includes realism and liberalism) focuses on material factors and rational choice
  • Constructivism sees the international system as socially constructed and malleable, while rationalism tends to view it as given and fixed
• Critical Theories vs. Mainstream Theories
  • Critical theories, such as Marxism, feminism, and postcolonialism, challenge the assumptions and biases of mainstream IR theories
  • Critical theories emphasize the role of power structures, inequality, and oppression in shaping international relations, while mainstream theories often take these factors for granted
  • Critical theories aim to emancipate marginalized groups and transform the international system, while mainstream theories tend to focus on explaining and managing the status quo

Real-World Applications

• Realism and the Cold War
  • Realist theories, particularly neorealism, were influential in shaping US foreign policy during the Cold War
  • The US pursued a strategy of containment and deterrence against the Soviet Union, based on the assumption of a bipolar international system and the need to maintain the balance of power
• Liberalism and Globalization
  • Liberal theories have been used to justify and promote the process of globalization, including the expansion of free trade, the creation of international institutions, and the spread of democracy
  • The creation of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and other international bodies reflects the liberal belief in the potential for cooperation and progress
• Constructivism and the End of the Cold War
  • Constructivist theories have been used to explain the sudden and peaceful end of the Cold War, which caught many realists by surprise
  • The spread of ideas such as human rights, democracy, and self-determination, as well as the changing identities and interests of states, played a key role in the collapse of the Soviet Union and the transformation of the international system
• Feminism and the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda
  • Feminist IR scholars have been instrumental in promoting the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda at the United Nations and other international bodies
  • The WPS agenda recognizes the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls and the critical role of women in peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction
  • The adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000 was a landmark achievement for feminist IR and has led to increased attention to gender issues in international peace and security efforts