International Relations is the concept of the relationships and conflicts that exist between nation states. This concept, as we know it today, was born out of the need to examine international relationships in light of the two world wars that happened in the 20th century and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
While Marxism does not in and of itself contribute or constitute a theory specific to International Relations, Marx had a very detailed concept of class and how it contributed to the international system as a whole. Marx and Engels open their Manifesto of the Communist Party by stating that the oppressor and oppressed have stood in constant opposition of one another throughout human history and that each fight between them has ended …show more content…
Do these theories, that suggest these international political relationships are based on the underlying global capitalist economy, an economy that primarily serves the interests of the elite, have any validity? To understand the relationship between Marxist theories and International Relations, it is best to have an overall understanding of the current popular theories for International Relations and consider how Marxism fits into the global picture of the international …show more content…
Realism describes an international system in which anarchy reigns supreme. On an international scale, there is no central authority that truly has the ability to conduct and control relations between nation states. Each state will relate to each of the others via consent or coercion and power is the desire of each individual state. The ultimate goal of each state is to increase their material interests to ensure survival.
Similarly, Institutionalism holds that the international system is ruled by anarchy and each nation state looks out for only itself. However, where Realists do not feel that mutual cooperation is possible between nation states, Institutionalists believe this level of cooperation is possible, even though it is still done with the goal of serving self-interest. When two nations can agree on terms that will benefit both parties, cooperation can
While Marxism does not in and of itself contribute or constitute a theory specific to International Relations, Marx had a very detailed concept of class and how it contributed to the international system as a whole. Marx and Engels open their Manifesto of the Communist Party by stating that the oppressor and oppressed have stood in constant opposition of one another throughout human history and that each fight between them has ended …show more content…
Do these theories, that suggest these international political relationships are based on the underlying global capitalist economy, an economy that primarily serves the interests of the elite, have any validity? To understand the relationship between Marxist theories and International Relations, it is best to have an overall understanding of the current popular theories for International Relations and consider how Marxism fits into the global picture of the international …show more content…
Realism describes an international system in which anarchy reigns supreme. On an international scale, there is no central authority that truly has the ability to conduct and control relations between nation states. Each state will relate to each of the others via consent or coercion and power is the desire of each individual state. The ultimate goal of each state is to increase their material interests to ensure survival.
Similarly, Institutionalism holds that the international system is ruled by anarchy and each nation state looks out for only itself. However, where Realists do not feel that mutual cooperation is possible between nation states, Institutionalists believe this level of cooperation is possible, even though it is still done with the goal of serving self-interest. When two nations can agree on terms that will benefit both parties, cooperation can