What are theories?

They are analytical lenses. The event stays the same, but the explanation changes when the theoretical lens changes. A theory is not simply an opinion. It is a structured way of asking questions and organizing evidence.

What are the two traditional theories?

Liberalism and Realism

Liberalism

-Takes a relatively optimistic view of international relations. -Assumes humans and states are capable of cooperation. -Sees peace and progress as possible. -Emphasizes institutions, rules, interdependence, and shared interests. -Asks: How can states overcome conflict and cooperate?

What did Immanuel Kant argue?

That liberal states should be less likely to fight one another

Realism

-Takes a more pessimistic view of international relations. -Treats states as the primary actors. -Emphasizes survival, self-interest, power, and security. -Sees international politics as competitive and conflict-prone. -Asks: How do states survive in an anarchic system?

International anarchy

Means the absence of a central authority above sovereign states. It does not necessarily mean total chaos

Basic outlook of Realism

Pessimistic

Basic outlook of Liberalism

Optimistic

Main emphasis of Realism

Power and security

Main emphasis of Liberalism

Cooperation and institutions

Primary concern of Realism

Survival and self-help

Primary concern of Liberalism

Peace and progress

Role of institutions in Realism

Limited by state interests

Role of institutions in Liberalism

Can facilitate cooperation

Modern development in Realsim

Neorealism

Modern development in Liberalism

Neoliberalism

Middle-ground theories

-The English School -Constructivism

The English School

-Accepts the realist insight that the international system is anarchic. -Adds that states can still develop rules, expectations, norms, and diplomatic practices. -Describes this combination as international society. -Hedley Bull called this condition an “anarchical society.” Core insight: No world government does not mean no international order

Constructivism

-Emphasizes ideas, identities, norms, shared meanings, and social interaction. -Argues that material power alone does not determine international politics. -Alexander Wendt: “Anarchy is what states make of it.” -States construct meanings around friends, enemies, threats, interests, and appropriate behavior.

Critical theories

-Marxism -Postcolonialism -Feminism -Poststructuralism

Marxism

-Focuses on class, capitalism, economic inequality, and exploitation. -Bourgeoisie: owners and business class. -Proletariat: workers. -IR question: Who benefits from the global economic system?

Postcolonialism

-Examines colonialism, imperialism, decolonization, and continuing global hierarchy. -Emphasizes perspectives from the Global South. -Edward Said’s concept of Orientalism critiques distorted Western representations of non-Western societies

Feminism

-Asks: Where are the women? -Examines gender, representation, masculinity, security, and social hierarchy. -Argues that international politics and institutions can be gendered.

Poststructuralism

-Questions what mainstream theories treat as “reality.” -Examines language, discourse, assumptions, and power. -Derrida’s deconstruction asks who defines a concept, what it implies, and what it excludes.

UN purposes

-International peace and security -Human rights -Development -International law -Humanitarian assistance

UN structure and power

-The General Assembly provides broad representation for member states. -The Security Council has 15 members: 10 elected members and 5 permanent members. -The permanent five are the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom. -Each permanent member has veto power.

Democratic peace theory

The argument that democracies rarely fight one another

International society

A community of states connected by charged rules, norms, and practices

Norm

A shared expectation about appropriate behavior

Paradigm shift

A major change in the dominant way of understanding a subject

Orientalism

The production of distorted Western representations of non-Western societies

Deconstruction

An analysis of language and concepts that reveals assumptions, exclusions, and powe

Security dilemma

A situation in which one state’s efforts to increase security make other states feel less secure

What does it mean to say that theories are analytical lenses?

It means that, based on what lens you're looking through, you can see a theory/ the world differently