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Theories of International Relations

  • Writer: Boğaç İzmit
    Boğaç İzmit
  • Nov 16
  • 5 min read

Introduction

International relations is the study of relations between states, international organizations, and certain subnational entities (Pfaltzgraff and McClelland). These relations are looked at and put through the lens of international relations (IR) theories. While discussing IR theories, some of the most widely asked questions are:

  1. The identity of international relations theories (what are they?)

  2. The core ideas and aims of international relations theories (why are they important?)

  3. The cruciality of international relations theories (why are they important?)

This article is going to be explaining the concepts of international relations theories and answer the questions previously provided above.


The Foundational Concept 

Before going into the core ideas of international relations, we need to understand what foundational concept modern-day IR and politics rely on. Anarchy is a foundational structural condition that shapes how states interact on the global scale. Unlike the colloquial meaning of the word, in IR, anarchy does not refer to disorder or chaos; it refers to the absence of a world government, which is a larger central authority imposed on sovereign states. If a worldwide government had been the case, a nation couldn’t have been considered “sovereign” due to sovereignty directly meaning: “the authority of a state to govern itself or another state” (Oxford Dictionary). Core ideas within IR, from Realism to constructivism, all have anarchy as their underlying foundation. In today's international political landscape, to protect nations' sovereignty (with international anarchy) while also imposing systems to ensure international peace and fairness, what could have been done with a centralized government is compartmentalized and made into liberal international organizations instead.


The Identity, Core Ideas, and Aims

IR theories offer the frameworks necessary for the analysis of interactions, motivations, and outcomes between states and other actors on the global level. These theories guide the interpretation of international issues, treaties, and such through their specific, guided lenses to fully comprehend what could have been deemed very complex beforehand. Correlated to their core ideas and approaches, IR theories can be categorized as follows:

  1. Realism

  2. Liberalism

  3. Constructivism

  4. Critical Theories


Realism

Realism is one of the oldest and most influential theories within IR. Its central belief is that international politics are governed by the continuous pursuit of power and personal/ national interest in an anarchic international system. 

Fundamental information on Realism:

  • The main actors are sovereign states. 

  • The basic motivations for the actors are survival, security, and power.

  • Major scholars of the theory are Hans Morgenthau and Keneth Waltz.

  • Realists view competition and conflict as inherent in global affairs/relations.


Liberalism

Liberalism perpetuates the importance of cooperation, international institutions, and interdependence as defining features of global politics. The theory argues that states and non-state actors in actuality can and should work together to achieve true peace and prosperity despite the anarchic nature of the global political landscape. 

Fundamental information on Liberalism:

  • The main actors are States, international organizations, NGOs

  • The basic motivations of the actors are mutual benefit, progress, and peace

  • Major scholars of the theory are Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye

  • Key Concepts: Democracy, economic interdependence, international law, democratic peace theory

  • Liberal thinkers believe that war can be reduced and human rights can be perpetuated through the collaboration between state and non-state actors with rule-based systems.


Constructivism

Constructivism focuses on the role of social ideas, identities, and norms, all of which play significant roles in shaping international relations. The theory views international politics as a social construct rather than being constructed by material forces or structural constraints.

Fundamental information on Constructivism:

  • The main actors are States, social groups, and individuals

  • The basic motivations of the actors are social identities, shared beliefs, and norms

  • Major scholars of the theory are Alexander Wendt and John Ruggie

  • Key Concepts: Social construction, identity, collective meaning, shared understanding

  • Constructivists believe that interests and structures in global politics are directly formed by way of interactions and not just imposed by nature or anarchy.


Critical Theories (Marxism, Feminism, Postcolonialism)

Unlike the other theories that reside within IR, Critical Theories do not focus on states or inter-state relations, rather, it looks at how power is distributed, who benefits from existing systems, and how global structures perpetuate injustice. Critical theories work to challenge the traditional, set IR frameworks by putting emphasis on things such as; inequality, marginalized groups, and historical power structures and correlated hierarchies in international politics. The approaches critical theories use are united by their commitment to emancipation, justice, and exposing hidden forms of domination/imposition of power in international relations. Some examples of Critical theories are: Marxism, Feminism, and Postcolonialism.


Marxism

Marxism within international relations views global politics through the lens of class struggle and the economic structures, such as Capitalism, that perpetuate it. Arguing that the international systems that are shaped by economic forces exploit weaker nations by stronger capitalist states.

Fundamental information on Marxism:

  • The main actors are economic classes, capitalist states, and multinational corporations

  • The basic motivations of the actors are economic exploitation and capitalist accumulation

  • Major scholars of the theory include Karl Marx (Founder of Marxist Theory), Immanuel Wallerstein, and Robert Cox (who are scholars on Marxism within the frameworks of IR)

  • Key Concepts: World-systems theory, core-periphery relations, imperialism, dependency, global capitalism


Feminism

Feminist international relations theory looks at how gender shapes global politics and how IR in its traditional form has largely ignored women’s experiences and contributions. It works to challenge the overtly masculine nature of international politics, defined by history, and the systematic oppression of women within the workforce.

Fundamental information on Feminism:

  • The main actors are women, gendered institutions, and social movements

  • The basic motivations of the actors are gender equality, challenging patriarchal structures

  • Major scholars of the theory are Cynthia Enloe and J. Ann Tickner

  • Key Concepts: Gender power dynamics, invisible labor, women's security


Postcolonialism

Postcolonial theory within the framework of international relations focuses on the lasting effects of the colonialism and imperialism imposed in global politics. It critiques how the Western dominant regimes linger on to shape today's international norms, institutions, and power, even after formal decolonization.

Fundamental information on Feminism:

  • The main actors are former colonies, subaltern groups, non non-Western states

  • The basic motivations of the actors are decolonization, cultural recognition, and historical justice

  • Major scholars of the theory are Gayatri Spivak, Edward Sald, and Frants Fanon

  • Key Concepts: Colonial legacy, Eurocentrism, subaltern voices, cultural imperialism


Importance of International Relations Theories

International Relations theories are very important due to their bundle of offers, ranging from the crucial tools and frameworks for the interpretation and dissection of global events to their deconstruction of societal issues. Providing a clearer understanding and insight into the behaviour, motivations, and actions of actors at the bigger, global stage. They help analyze global challenges, shape policy making, enhance the improvement of regimes and systems, and amplify debates upon issues such as: war, peace, cooperation, and justice, fueling better communication. By applying the theories to their work, scholars and policymakers get a better chance to respond to international affairs in a more effective fashion.


-Boğaç İzmit




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