Learning objectives:
be able to
• Identify, reproduce and critically compare theories of IR (realism, neorealism, liberalism,
neoliberalism, constructivism, and feminism);
• Analyze topical issues in international politics applying theoretical approaches;
• Comment on an event in international politics assuming the role of an expert on a news
program;
• Apply your knowledge of history, economics and law to international political developments
and identify connections;
• Argue why time and again new conflicts break out in international politics and under which
conditions enduring cooperation may develop;
• Explain and apply simple concepts using, for example, game theory.
Class 1. Introduction: Theories and the Great Debates of IR
For a long time, the view on international relations (immediately post-Cold War): “Conflict is
endemic to IR. Power can only be held at the cost of others.” Things have evolved since then.
There exist more than just state actors that define the actions in IR. International organizations
(UN, EU) have gained in power, making up rules. International corporations (Google,
Microsoft). Amnesty International is also involved in norm-creation at the international level.
Terrorist networks. And even individuals, Greta Thunberg and others.
First bloc will be traditional theories. Second bloc will be more recent, critical theories.
Theories as Mark of Distinction of the (Sub-)Discipline IR
• Theories distinguish IR as discipline from other disciplines. – E.g., history, law, geography.
Why is IR a scientific discipline? It has established itself as such with a distinguishing
characteristic: theories. The discipline is the development of theories about the relationships
between states or other actors. How do they function? Why do we observe particular patterns?
Why do we see cooperation, for example among European states? Theories distinguish IR
from other disciplines such as law, history, geography.
• IR rather “young“ but durable sub-discipline within political science. evolved after World
War II with strong sense of independent disciplinarity. manifested in separate chairs and
institutes, leading professional organizations (e.g., International Studies Association), and
journals. It evolved after WW II with a strong sense of independent disciplinarity. There was
major destruction caused by interstate conflict. Academics tried to find answers: how could
something like that happen? How can we explain it and how can we, then, perhaps, prevent it?
There was a reason to seek more general answers. It manifested in separate chairs and
institutes, leading professional organizations (International Studies Association) and journals.
• Development of theories is rewarded in discipline. – To be recognized as „theory of a
discipline“ = premium. What IR-scholars try to do is develop theories, which is rewarded in
the discipline. To be recognized as ‘theory of a discipline’ = the premium for IR scholars.
Many theories to explain and understand IR.
IR is not static, it evolves, asks for new theories.
Classical Realism
Neo-Realism
Neo-Liberal Institutionalism
, Social Constructivism
Critical Theory
Feminist and Gender Theories
Post-Colonialism
Etc.
It is also part of the discipline to blow another theory out of the water. The IR academic scene
is combative with a number of theories competing with each other. That is why we have
evolving theories, new theories, new shades of theories. Theories give you a pair of glasses to
look at the world in a different way.
“The great debates of IR”
Realism (IR as it is) vs Liberalism (IR as it should/could be);
Traditionalism vs Behavioralism;
Neorealism vs. Neoliberalism;
Positivism vs. Reflectivism/Constructivism
– Have served to organize and focus the discipline.
– Part of the structure of IR as discipline.
IR Discipline is a Social Structure
– The IR academic scene is combative with a number of theories competing with each other.
What is a theory?
There is a debate going on as to what is a theory. First bloc theories are more clearly defined
as theory, second bloc theories less so.
Theories and World Views
Theories are somewhat like world views
o Depending on which we privilege, we consider particular actors, structures
and processes to be important and decisive
Our world views result from socialization, historical experiences, our societal position
etc.
o This is what theories do: they help us see, understand, explain.
Help to manage the flood of information
o Because of them, we notice certain things and ignore others
,Theories: a characterization
Abstract knowledge which:
o Transcends observable facts and historical incidents;
o Help to identify the essential and typical patterns and the general causes,
effects, and relationships;
o Helps us formulate general statements with respect to these patterns,
their causes, and effects;
o May be speculative (predictions)
Selective Function of Theories
Theories may have us focus on some things and ignore others. We may focus on actors, or the
interactions between the actors (structural theories). Some theories make us look at both. They
might be more optimistic or more pessimistic than others. Apart from being selective, theories
are descriptive.
Additional Functions of Theories
Descriptive theory
o Describing the typical and essential -> what is? Liberal institutionalism
would say typical of IR is cooperation, a realist would say conflict. They
can also have a normative function;
Normative theory
o Evaluate -> What is IR supposed to be? How do we get away from
conflictual relations? How could a world government come about?
Causal theory
o Determine cause and effect; explain, predict, change; -> why are things
the way they are? Does conflict exist because we have no world
government?
Building Blocks of Theories: Actors
Social actors:
o Mostly corporate actors: states, international organizations, non-
governmental organizations, transnational corporations
o But increasingly individuals also taken into account
Disposition
o What interests do the actors have and how do they realize them?
Do they follow a rationalistic and instrumental logic based on a cost-
benefit calculation? Buying a car because it is the best and has the
best price
Or do they follow a logic of appropriateness and align their actions to
societal norms and rules? Buying a car because it is environmentally
friendly, fits your family
Are interests static or can they change?
Building Blocks of Theories: Structures
Social structures
o Determine relations between elements within a system
Normative structures -> rules and norms
, Constitutive -> membership within particular system and
position
Regulative -> rules of behavior
Resource-bases structures
Material, social or human resources
Degree to which actors and structures are presumed to interact, we can distinguish
between voluntaristic and deterministic theories. Am I as an individual within a
structure able to shape the structure? Am I completely shaped by the structure?
Building Blocks of Theories: Processes
IR theorists seek to understand and explain:
o Patterns of social interactions (e.g. cooperation, conflict, dependency, peace
etc.)
Processes transform behavior into social interaction
o Mechanisms of social interaction may be, for example
Strategic (interdependence)
Do they cooperate because they strategically depend upon
each other to achieve a certain result?
Or normative (consensus)
Or is it because they have a shared understanding? (“Global
warming is a bad thing”)
Building Blocks of Theories: Dynamics
Feedback mechanisms of social interaction on:
o Structure -> reproduction or change
o Actors -> reinforcement or change of dispositions
o Processes -> reproduction or change
Dynamic mechanisms
o Reinforcement, evolution (From conflict, to cooperation, to long-lasting
peace?) (selection (Or do some actors, who exhibit a specific behavior,
survive in the system?), mutation (Or actors may mutate, adapt over time,
and change their behavior) or innovation: There may be innovation in the
system: invention of nuclear weapons changed the system) or cycles
(hegemonic stability theory).
Some things may stay (follow a pattern) regardless of time and place, some things may
change.
Theory checklist (something you should keep in mind as you go through the third bloc)
What is a theory and what are the functions of a theory?
What are the building blocs of theory
o Who are the central actors and what are their dispositions?
o What are the relevant structures?
o How do structures determine or influence the actors and their behaviour?
o What are relevant processes and how do actors interact?
What are the relevant patterns in international politics and what processes transform
behaviour into social interaction?
