Approaches of Study of

International Relations
 The approach implies looking at the problem from
a particular angle and explaining the phenomenon
from the same angle basing on a set of standards
governing the inclusion and exclusion of questions
and data for academic purposes.
Methods, on the other hand, is a sort of study or
theory of the nature and grounds on which the
search of knowledge is based.
The technique is a sort of tool and denotes the
operations and activities involved in the collection
and interpretation of data.
 The subject of international relations
is studied through different
approaches.
Quincy Wright has mentioned twenty
three types of models of international
studies.
The main types of approaches may
be classified into two broad types.
1. Classical or Conventional
Approaches
Classical or Conventional
Approaches

Traditional Approaches
1.Historical Approach
2.Current Event Approach
3.Institutional, Legal and Normal Approach
Philosophical Approaches
1.Realistic Approach
2.Idealistic Approach
3. Eclectic Approach
Methods or Approaches of International Relations

II. Scientific or Behavioral Approaches

(a). Systems Approach (Morton
Kaplans Six Systems Approach)
1.Balance of Power Approach
2.Loose Bi-Polar System Approach
3.Tight BI-Polar System Approach
4.Universal International System Approach
5.Hierachical International System Approach
6.Unit Veto System Approach
 (b). Policy Science Approach :
1.Decision-Making Approach
2.Communication Approach
3.Games Theory Approach
4.Bargaining Theory Approach
5.Equilibrium Approach
The Idealistic Approach
It is one of the classical approaches
It is the liberal approach followed in
between the two world wars
Woodrow was the proponent of this
approach
According to this approach, a society
or nation is formed due to evolution.
In this evolution there may be good
or bad
 In 1795 Condorcet visualized a world order
free from war, in equality and tyranny.
This new order would be marked by constant
progress in human welfare brought about by
the use of reason, education and science.
The future system was visualized to be free
from power politics, immorality and violence
President Woodrow Wilson of USA who gave
a concrete shape to this his idealism
through text of Treaty of Versailles.
 He made a strong plea for world peace and
international organization.
The difficulty of this system is that such a
system could emerge only by following the moral
principles in mutual relations in place of power,
which is not possible in practice.
Secondly, to bring about such order the
totalitarian forces must be crushed by all means
of through the use of democratic methods and
last necessity is the establishment of world
government.
Realist Approach

The realistic approach was propounded by Hans

J.Morgentheu and George Kenna Spykman are
leading exponents of this theory.
According to Morgenthau, the approach to the
study of international relations should take into
consider ration human nature as it is actually is,
and not what it ought to be.
It is human nature which is reflected at the
international level under the name of foreign
policy of a state.
 Human nature is essentially selfish and
wants to protect its own interest.
The master key in the study of international
relations is the attainment of power.
Thus power is the essence of international
relations.
This approach is called the realist approach
because it emphasizes the importance of
national interest as viewed by the statesmen
of a particular nation in concrete terms.
The Principles of Realist Theory
are:
1.Foreign policy should be based on facts and reason.
2.Foreign policy should be based on national interest
defined in terms of power.
3.Meaning of national interest defined in terms of
power should change with the changing
circumstances.
4.No place for universal moral principles in
international relations.
5.No identity between moral principles of a nation
and universal moral principles.
6.Political sphere is autonomous and pervading
 Basic assumptions of the theory:
1.Concept of power
2.concept of national interest
3.Peace
Morgenthau believes that Men do not fight
because they have arms but they have arms
because they deem it necessary to fight.
He,therefore,concludes that a mutually
satisfactory settlement of political problems is
necessary for disarmament.
Systems Theory :
This approach was introduced in late 1950s.
Hall and Fagan defined the system as a set of
objects together with relationship between the
objects and between the attributes.
International system came into existence with the
emergence of the modern European state systems.
The systems theory or general systems theory was
expounded by Mc Clelland in 1955.Later it was
developed by many other scholars
Morton Kaplan is one of the best exponents of the
systems theory.
 According to Morton Kaplan, International system or politics
implies two things
1.International system
2.Nation state system
Nations or states are the main actors in the international politics
and the role of the states changes with the change of international
system.
Kaplan treats six models of major international systems
1.The balance of power system
2.The loose bipolar system
3.The tight bipolar system
4.The universal international system
5.The hierarchical international system
6.Unit veto system.