"The study of international relations theory is the study of international relations (IR) from a theoretical perspective. It seeks to explain behaviors and outcomes in international politics."
The study of theoretical frameworks for understanding international relations, including realism, liberalism, and constructivism.
Theoretical frameworks: The various theoretical lenses used to analyze international political theory, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, feminism, and postcolonialism.
States and sovereignty: The role of the state in international relations and the concept of sovereignty as a foundational principle.
Power and security: The dynamics of power and the ways in which states and other actors pursue security in the international system.
International law: The role of international law in governing relations between states and other actors.
International organizations: The role of international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) in global governance.
Globalization: The phenomenon of globalization and how it has impacted international relations.
International political economy: The intersection of politics and economics in the international system, including issues such as trade, investment, and development.
Conflict and cooperation: The nature of conflict and cooperation in international relations, including theories of war and peace.
Human rights: The concept of human rights and its role in international relations.
Environmental politics: The intersection of politics and the environment in international relations, including issues such as climate change and biodiversity.
Global governance: The mechanisms and institutions used to manage global affairs, including the UN, WTO, and other international organizations.
Theories of international political change: How political change occurs in the international system, including theories of historical change and the role of ideas and norms.
Ethics and international relations: The ethical dimensions of international relations, including theories of just war and global justice.
Critical security studies: An interdisciplinary approach that challenges traditional notions of security and explores the relationship between power, knowledge, and security.
Postcolonial perspectives: An approach that critiques the legacies of colonialism and imperialism in international relations and explores the perspectives of marginalized and oppressed groups.
Discourse analysis: The study of language and communication in international relations and how it shapes political reality.
Feminist international relations: An approach that emphasizes the gendered nature of international relations and how women and other marginalized groups are excluded from the political process.
Peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction: The various approaches and mechanisms used to build peace and promote reconciliation after conflict.
Humanitarian intervention: The concept of intervening in the affairs of a state to protect human rights and prevent atrocities.
Diplomacy and negotiations: The art and practice of diplomacy and negotiations in international relations.
Realism: It is the oldest and most influential paradigm in IR that emphasizes the role of power, relative gains, and security of states.
Liberalism: This theory emphasizes cooperation, free trade, and democratic governance in shaping international relations, arguing that nations can work together to solve global issues.
Constructivism: This theory focuses on the role of ideas and social norms in shaping international relations, arguing that the behaviors and beliefs of actors are shaped by social structures.
Marxism: It emphasizes the role of economic structures and class in shaping international relations, arguing that the pursuit of economic interests is the driving force behind international relations.
Feminism: It explores the role of gender in international relations, arguing that the gender hierarchy influences the distribution of power and the way states interact with one another.
Critical Theory: It emphasizes the role of ideology and power in shaping international relations, arguing that the dominant classes use their power to create and reinforce unequal systems.
Post-structuralism: This theory emphasizes the role of language and discourse in shaping international relations, arguing that the meaning of events and concepts are contingent on historical and social contexts.
Neo-realism: It is a modern version of realism that emphasizes the role of the international system and structure in shaping state behavior.
Neo-liberalism: It is a modern version of liberalism that emphasizes the role of institutions and international law in shaping state behavior.
"The four most prominent schools of thought are realism, liberalism, constructivism, and rational choice."
"Realism and liberalism make broad and specific predictions about international relations."
"Constructivism and rational choice are methodological approaches that focus on certain types of social explanation for phenomena."
"The discipline of international relations is believed to have emerged after World War I with the establishment of a Chair of International Relations."
"The Woodrow Wilson Chair was held by Alfred Eckhard Zimmern at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth."
"E.H. Carr's The Twenty Years' Crisis (1939) and Hans Morgenthau's Politics Among Nations (1948) are considered influential realist works."
"Kenneth Waltz's Theory of International Politics (1979) pioneered neorealism, which became the most influential IR theory work of the post-World War II era."
"Prominent proponents of neoliberalism include Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye."
"Constructivism emerged as a prominent third IR theoretical framework during the late 1980s and 1990s."
"IR theorists such as Alexander Wendt, John Ruggie, Martha Finnemore, and Michael N. Barnett helped pioneer constructivism."
"Rational choice approaches to world politics gained increasing influence in the 1990s."
"James Fearon is associated with the bargaining model of war."
"Post-positivist/reflectivist IR theories stand in contrast to 'positivist/rationalist' theories."
"Neoliberalism is also referred to as liberal institutionalism."
"Kenneth Waltz is a prominent proponent of neorealism."
"The Twenty Years' Crisis by E.H. Carr explores the concept of a crisis in international relations."
"Critical theorists such as Alexander Wendt and Martha Finnemore have made significant contributions to post-positivist/reflectivist IR theories."
"Constructivism aims to offer an alternative framework for understanding international relations beyond realism and liberalism."
"The works of James Fearon, particularly the bargaining model of war, have been influential in rational choice approaches to world politics."