International Relations Theory

IR theory develops the general frameworks for explaining international politics — realism, liberalism, constructivism, and their critics.

Scope

It covers the major theoretical paradigms, the levels-of-analysis problem, and the great debates over what drives state behaviour and international order.

Core questions

• What drives state behaviour in an anarchic system?
• Is cooperation possible among states?
• How do material power and ideas matter?
• How should international politics be theorized?

Key concepts

• Anarchy
• Balance of power
• Levels of analysis
• Material vs ideational
• Realism/liberalism/constructivism
• Systemic theory

Key theories

Classical and structural realism

Morgenthau grounded politics in power and interest; Waltz located outcomes in the anarchic structure of the system.

Constructivism

Wendt argued that anarchy and interests are socially constructed, not given.

History

IR theory developed through realism (Morgenthau, Waltz), liberal institutionalism, and the constructivist turn (Wendt), and now includes critical, feminist, and English School traditions.

Debates

Material structure versus ideas

Whether state behaviour is driven by material power or by socially constructed identities and norms.

Key figures

• Hans Morgenthau
• Kenneth Waltz
• Alexander Wendt

Seminal works

• morgenthau-1948
• waltz-1979
• wendt-1992

Frequently asked questions

What is constructivism in IR?

The view that key features of international politics — anarchy, interests, identities — are socially constructed rather than given by material structure.