International relations theory

Realism explains international relations in terms of power. According to the Pearson Revel e-textbook, it is a theory with international relations that bases its foundation is dominance. Within Realism, there are certain core assumptions about how the world and it’s states work. It firstly assumes that human nature is selfish, therefore believing that the causes of state behavior comes from a rational pursuit of self-interest. Realism also argues that the most important actors are states. Within…

Realism and Liberalism, two very renowned theories and practices of international relations, which both have different perspectives towards security structure, human rights/nature and international systems. Both of these theories trace back to their intellectual roots. Realism related back to Thucydides’ classic account of the Peloponnesian War in the fifth-century B.C and the liberalist tradition is usually traced back to Enlightenment, which is mainly traced back to main philosophers, John…

Various theories can be applied to analyze world politics and in each distinct theory, there are certain implications about how the international system is and should be dictated. With this in mind, this essay will describe how realism, liberalism and feminism differ in their political analysis of the world by highlighting the distinguishing factors on each theory. In this sense, the essay will first describe realism with its focus on power politics, then progress to liberalism and its critique…

One of the core ideologies in International Relations has been Realism. Realism focuses on self interest, which is defined by the state seeking power and gaining complete sovereignty. According to Hans J. Morgenthau’s “Politics Among Nations, The Struggle for Power and Peace,” there are six important actors that cultivate this concept. These actors are the state, anarchy, self interest, human nature, rationale and force, which are what make a functioning society. Despite the origins and use of…

Introduction: The Neorealist theory Kenneth Waltz in his book «Theory of International Politics» introduced the idea of neorealist theory. The theory can determine a state behavior and state interaction by using the structure. This structure is defined by the complex of some principles of the international system such as anarchy and the states' capabilities. Not only military power and the ability to use it with regard to other states are significant in the neorealism theory but also the…

constructing their own nations. But, institutionalism bridges a gap between the both of them. Institutionalism functions as a neutral territory that aims to diffuse potentially competing and conflicting issues. Realism, being the oldest International Relations theory gives a pessimistic view of human nature. Realists believe that. Some of the known Realists who shaped the ideals of Realism include Thucydides, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Carr, etc. All these realists have much in common and that the…

of view and the neoliberal point of view of international cooperation. The neorealist believe that it would be difficult to have international cooperation because they are worried about having equal distribution of power within states, and being able to trust other states. The neoliberal believes that international cooperation will naturally occur if the state’s will allow it to happen. Neoliberals believe that with absolute gain, which are international actors determining the interest of the…

components from two international relations (IR) theories to gray-zone conflicts will create a framework for U.S. strategists. Using components of realism and liberalism and combining them will provide the U.S. a policy instrument with both hard and soft power to deal with these styles of conflicts. Consequently, a third IR theory constructivism offers very little to U.S. planners to help them with a strategy for gray-zone conflicts. As some scholars suggest, constructivism is a theory of…

is neoliberal institutionalism. In neoliberal institutionalism states from international institutions to forge and build cooperation to achieve absolute gains. The process of cooperation on a single-issue area will lead to cooperation in other areas and create a spillover effect that helps all involved. In the context of the refugee crisis a neoliberal institutionalism would look to create and work through an international organization to bring an end to the crisis. The United Nations High…

been the two most important paradigms of International Relations. They have accounted for much of what has taken place in the world. Continuing to offer provisions of state behavior, and pose queries; that perhaps it is possible for there to be peace in-between nation states. While both approaches to the understanding of the on-going crisis in Ukraine are undeniably different, surprisingly they have similarities. Examining the different approaches and theories will enable one to form a better…