International Relations:

Diplomacy & Negotiation Skills

Week 5:
The Root of
International Relations Thinking
What is a Theory?
What is a Theory?
Etymology

“a looking at”
Ancient Greek “to see”
Theros “to considering”
What is a Theory?

Theory can explain and

identify relationships that can
be done

- Kenneth N. Waltz
What is a Theory?

Theory is the process of

developing ideas that help us
explain how and why an event
occurred.

- Jonathan H. Turner
What is a Theory?

A theory is a description of a
particular phenomenon, an
explanation of the relationship and
consequences phenomena

- Hans J. Morghenthau
 What is a Theory?
Theory should ful l following functions:
EXPLANATION
• A theory is a formal explanation of the relationship among
a set of observations.
EVIDENCE
• With evidence, a theory has credibility and and become a
di erentiator from an opinion.
PREDICTION
• A prediction is the expected result of a test that is derived,
by deduction, from a theory.
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What is a Theory?
I know about that

STUDENT

Phenomena

I understand about that

STUDENT Theory
Phenomena
 Role Theory
In International Relations
Theory in IR

IR theory is the basis for the study of international

politics in that it constitutes a series of attempts to
explain or understand the world.

"Searching for science in International Politics"

Theory in IR

International Relations Theory allows us to seek to

understand the world around us through a variety of
lenses, each representing a di erent theoretical
perspective.

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Theory in IR
Realism
Marxism
Liberalism
According to Constructivism The world politics are…..
Post-modernism
Feminism

different theoretical
perspective WORLD
= POLITICS
different answers

REALISM MARXISM LIBERALISM CONSTRUCTIVISM POST-MODERNISM FEMINISM

Theory in IR
International Relations theoretical perspective.

Each author is developing a

theory of their own to
explain world politics.

Universal patterns or rules

that can be used to explain
how world politics in IR
theories.
Theory in IR

IR Theory
Realism Level of Analysis
Marxism 1.Global
Liberalism 2.Interstate
contain
Constructivism 3.Domestic
Post-modernism 4.Individual
Feminism
Theory in IR

What we’ve Phenomena

got here Theory

There is a war in Iraq

Yes, thats how US promoting their

democracy and to protect the world
peace
Theory in IR
International relations theory is part of our mindset

security, military,
Realism
national interest

humanitarian,
Liberalism
gender, economy

culture, norms,
Constructivism
identity
Theory in Action
Theory in Action

Martin Wight: Three Traditions

• Realist/Machiavelli
• Rationalism/Grotian tradition institutions, international
politics as rule governed
• Revolutionism/Kant human beings over states, changing
current international order IR Theory addresses certain
questions
Theory in Action:
Realism
Theory in Action
REALIST
• Thucydides Often called father of realism 5 th
century B.C.
• Historian seeking to understand the nature of
war and why it continually recurs Argued that
war between Sparta and Athens
(Peloponnesian War) war inevitable Emphasis
on “power” and “competing alliances” “What
made war inevitable was the growth of Athens’
power and the fear which this caused in Sparta”
Theory in Action
REALIST
• Machiavelli 1469-1527 analyzed interstate
relations in the Italian system of the 16 th
century;
• Famous work “The Prince” Emphasis on power,
formation of alliances, causes of con ict
between di erent city-states national security
survival of the state was paramount Politics
must be separated from morality Stressed “how
the world is” (empirical approach) rather than
how the world should be (normative approach)
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Theory in Action
REALIST
• Thomas Hobbes 1588-1679 Wrote the Leviathan
in the 17 th century Focus was domestic politics
yet Hobbes contributed to the concept of
“anarchy” in the international system of states
• His objective was to make the strongest case
possible for a powerful, centralized political
authority “men” are solitary beasts and
egotistical man’s primary motivation is survival
(self-preservation) which results in a war of all
against all in the state of nature (parallel to the
international system of anarchy)
Theory in Action:
Liberalism
Theory in Action
LIBERALIST
• Hugo Grotius (1583-1645) often cited as father of
international law
• Grotius recognized the essential anarchy of international
relations by calling for the establishment and
recognition of laws or rules by states as binding
• Stressed values and norms—particularly when
recognized as international law or rules by states as
vehicle in maintaining order under anarchy
• To Grotians, order in the international system is a
combination of power and collective values
(international law)
Theory in Action
LIBERALIST
• Immanuel Kant Peace can be achieved through 3 steps:
• Human rationality: rational individuals having moral
values create peaceful society thus a peaceful world.
• Constitution Based Republican state: as all individuals
are rational, they know that they will bear the costs of a
war. In a republican state they can prevent their leaders
from going to war. The rule of law, separation of
legislation, executive, and judiciary. Respecting each
other’s rights and freedom
• Spreading human rationality, free trade and republicanism
worldwide: perpetual peace
Theory in Action
LIBERALIST

• John Locke emphasizes that all individuals

have rights such as freedom, equality,
property, and right for living.
• A state is responsible for protecting these
rights. When the government fails to secure
their natural rights or satisfy the best interests
of society, citizens can withdraw their obligation
to obey, or change the leadership through
elections or other means
Theory in Action:
Marxism
Theory in Action
MARXIST
• Karl Marx Socioeconomic Theories of IR Marxist:
con ict is not the result of anarchy and the security
dilemma, but rather the result of capitalist states
competing economically against one other
• Imperialism—The Highest Stage of Capitalism World
War I result of capitalism and colonialism
Imperialism: refers to the relationship of a
hegemonic state to subordinate states, nations,
and people under its control Colonialism: variety of
imperialism; involves the settlement of foreign
territories; maintenance of rule over a subordinate
population
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