International relations theory is the study of international relations from a theoretical perspective; it attempts to provide a conceptual framework upon which international relations can be analyzed.Ole Holsti describes international relations theories as acting like pairs of coloured sunglasses that allow the wearer to see only salient events relevant to the theory; e.g. an adherent of realism may completely disregard an event that a constructivist might pounce upon as crucial, and vice versa. The three most popular theories are realism, liberalism and constructivism.
International relations theories can be divided into "positivist/rationalist" theories which focus on a principally state-level analysis, and "post-positivist/reflectivist" ones which incorporate expanded meanings of security, ranging from class, to gender, to postcolonial security. Many often conflicting ways of thinking exist in IR theory, including constructivism, institutionalism, Marxism, neo-Gramscianism, and others. However, two positivist schools of thought are most prevalent: realism and liberalism; though increasingly, constructivism is becoming mainstream.
As political activity, international relations dates from the time of the Greek historian Thucydides (c. 460–395 BC), and, in the early 20th century, became a discrete academic field (No. 5901 in the 4-digit UNESCO Nomenclature) within political science. In practice International Relations and International Affairs forms a separate academic program or field from Political Science, and the courses taught therein are highly interdisciplinary.
International relations of the Great Powers (1814–1919)
This article covers worldwide diplomacy and, more generally, the international relations of the major powers, from 1814 to 1919, with links to more detailed articles. The international relations of minor countries are covered in their own history articles. This era covers the period from the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna (1814–15), to the end of the First World War and the Paris Peace Conference (1919).
Important themes include the rapid industrialization and growing power of Britain, Europe and, later in the period, the United States, with Japan emerging as a major power and empire towards the end of this period. This led to imperialist and colonialist competitions for influence and power throughout the world, the impacts of which are still widespread and consequential in the current age. Britain established an informal economic network that, combined with the Royal Navy, made it the most influential nation during this time. The entire era had a general lack of major conflict between the great powers, with most skirmishes taking place between belligerents within the borders of individual countries. In Europe, wars were much smaller, shorter and less frequent than ever before. The quiet century was shattered by World War I (1914–1918), which was unexpected in its timing, duration, casualties, and long-term impact.
According to the Journal Citation Reports, the journal has a 2014 impact factor of 1.191, ranking it 23rd out of 85 journals in the category "International Relations".
What is a non-Western IR theory? | Erik Ringmar | TEDxIbnHaldunUniversity
Professor Ringmar stressed out that the academic study of international relations has for far too long been dominated by theories and concepts that originated from the West. Erik Ringmar is a professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Ibn Haldun Üniversitesi in İstanbul, Turkey. He received his PhD in political science from Yale University in 1993. He taught for 12 years in the Government Department at the London School of Economics, and in China for seven years, where he until 2014 was Zhiyuan Chair professor of international politics at Shanghai Jiaotong University. He has written five books and some 40 academic articles on topics relating to international politics, economic sociology and cultural history. He has recently become interested in cognitiv...
published: 10 Sep 2019
Structural Realism - International Relations (1/7)
Professor John Mearsheimer from the University of Chicago discusses Structural Realism
(Part 1 of 7)
Playlist link - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhQpDGfX5e7C6FA5IYU3VPYN7kWHl1mxQ
Transcript link - http://podcast.open.ac.uk/feeds/3002_internationalrelations/transcript/33023_meirsheimer_on_realism.pdf
Study a free course on Rights and justice in international relations at the Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/people-politics-law/politics-policy-people/politics/rights-and-justice-international-relations/content-section-0?active-tab=description-tab
Study Q11 BA (Honours) International Studies
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q11
Explore qualifications in Social Sciences with the OU
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/find/social-sciences
The Open Universit...
published: 03 Oct 2014
Major Theories of IR
Discussion of realism, liberalism, constructivism, feminism, and Marxism
published: 04 Dec 2013
Steve Smith on bringing International Relations theory to life
Professor Sir Steve Smith uses the example of the Syrian civil war to explain how IR theories paint different pictures of reality. For more on applying International Relations theory see The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations, 6th edition http://oxford.ly/1dtkvw8
published: 03 Jan 2014
International Relations – Liberal Theory (2/7)
Professor Andrew Moravscik from Princeton University discusses Liberal theory
(Part 2 of 7)
Playlist link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXllDh6rD18&list=PLhQpDGfX5e7C6FA5IYU3VPYN7kWHl1mxQ
Transcript link - http://podcast-admin.open.ac.uk/upload/files/3002_internationalrelations/transcript/33022_moravcsik_on_liberalism.pdf
Study a free course on Rights and justice in international relations at the Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/people-politics-law/politics-policy-people/politics/rights-and-justice-international-relations/content-section-0?active-tab=description-tab
Study Q11 BA (Honours) International Studies
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q11
Explore qualifications in Social Sciences with the OU
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/find/social-sciences
The...
published: 03 Oct 2014
International Relations: An Introduction
Featuring academics from the International Relations Department at the LSE, ‘International Relations: an introduction’ is a 10-minute film about the study of international relations, particularly at the LSE. The film looks at what we study, and why, and also at major themes and how to approach them, and debates Star Trek and whether there will ever be world peace.
published: 20 Oct 2014
International Relations theory made easy (4): Realism
Introductory lecture to the discipline of International Relations by Dr Patrick Theiner, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Edinburgh, UK. Recorded in late 2020.
== Timestamps ==
00:00 - Intro
01:02 - Theory as pattern recognition
04:15 - The Peloponnesian War
08:42 - Early realist thinkers
09:50 - Niccolo Machiavelli
14:27 - Origins of realism
17:17 - Kenneth Waltz' Neorealism
20:34 - Other realist theorists
21:56 - Core assumptions of neorealism
27:13 - Relationships between core concepts
28:57 - The security dilemma
34:17 - Balance of power
36:30 - How much power is enough?
38:42 - Unipolarity vs. bipolarity vs. multipolarity
44:49 - Realism and cooperation
49:17 - Realism and international institutions
50:43 - Is this a good theory?
published: 01 Feb 2021
International Relations Today, IR 101 Episode 3: Constructivism
Hi!
Welcome back to the King's College London International Relations Today Youtube channel. Today's video is the third in our IR 101 series in which we discuss the basics and foundations of International Relations. In this episode we have invited Sebastian Beyenburg (2nd year King's IR student and IR Today staff writer) to teach us the foundations of another school of thought in IR, constructivism. We hope you enjoy the video and learn a little more about international relations!
International Relations Today is a multimedia platform opening up the world of publishing to undergraduates interested in voicing their thoughts and opinions about the questions which make the world go around. We focus on international relations and are made up of an all undergraduate in-house editing team bas...
Professor Ringmar stressed out that the academic study of international relations has for far too long been dominated by theories and concepts that originated f...
Professor Ringmar stressed out that the academic study of international relations has for far too long been dominated by theories and concepts that originated from the West. Erik Ringmar is a professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Ibn Haldun Üniversitesi in İstanbul, Turkey. He received his PhD in political science from Yale University in 1993. He taught for 12 years in the Government Department at the London School of Economics, and in China for seven years, where he until 2014 was Zhiyuan Chair professor of international politics at Shanghai Jiaotong University. He has written five books and some 40 academic articles on topics relating to international politics, economic sociology and cultural history. He has recently become interested in cognitive science and phenomenology and is currently thinking of ways in which these fields could enrich our understanding of social life. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Professor Ringmar stressed out that the academic study of international relations has for far too long been dominated by theories and concepts that originated from the West. Erik Ringmar is a professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Ibn Haldun Üniversitesi in İstanbul, Turkey. He received his PhD in political science from Yale University in 1993. He taught for 12 years in the Government Department at the London School of Economics, and in China for seven years, where he until 2014 was Zhiyuan Chair professor of international politics at Shanghai Jiaotong University. He has written five books and some 40 academic articles on topics relating to international politics, economic sociology and cultural history. He has recently become interested in cognitive science and phenomenology and is currently thinking of ways in which these fields could enrich our understanding of social life. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Professor John Mearsheimer from the University of Chicago discusses Structural Realism
(Part 1 of 7)
Playlist link - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhQ...
Professor John Mearsheimer from the University of Chicago discusses Structural Realism
(Part 1 of 7)
Playlist link - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhQpDGfX5e7C6FA5IYU3VPYN7kWHl1mxQ
Transcript link - http://podcast.open.ac.uk/feeds/3002_internationalrelations/transcript/33023_meirsheimer_on_realism.pdf
Study a free course on Rights and justice in international relations at the Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/people-politics-law/politics-policy-people/politics/rights-and-justice-international-relations/content-section-0?active-tab=description-tab
Study Q11 BA (Honours) International Studies
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q11
Explore qualifications in Social Sciences with the OU
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/find/social-sciences
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high-quality online degrees and distance learning, serving students across the globe with highly respected degree qualifications, and the triple-accredited MBA. The OU teaches through its own unique method of distance learning, called ‘supported open learning’ and you do not need any formal qualifications to study with us, just commitment and a desire to find out what you are capable of.
Free learning from The Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/
For more like this subscribe to the Open University channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXsH4hSV_kEdAOsupMMm4Qw
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ouopenlearn/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OUFreeLearning
Professor John Mearsheimer from the University of Chicago discusses Structural Realism
(Part 1 of 7)
Playlist link - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhQpDGfX5e7C6FA5IYU3VPYN7kWHl1mxQ
Transcript link - http://podcast.open.ac.uk/feeds/3002_internationalrelations/transcript/33023_meirsheimer_on_realism.pdf
Study a free course on Rights and justice in international relations at the Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/people-politics-law/politics-policy-people/politics/rights-and-justice-international-relations/content-section-0?active-tab=description-tab
Study Q11 BA (Honours) International Studies
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q11
Explore qualifications in Social Sciences with the OU
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/find/social-sciences
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high-quality online degrees and distance learning, serving students across the globe with highly respected degree qualifications, and the triple-accredited MBA. The OU teaches through its own unique method of distance learning, called ‘supported open learning’ and you do not need any formal qualifications to study with us, just commitment and a desire to find out what you are capable of.
Free learning from The Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/
For more like this subscribe to the Open University channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXsH4hSV_kEdAOsupMMm4Qw
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ouopenlearn/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OUFreeLearning
Professor Sir Steve Smith uses the example of the Syrian civil war to explain how IR theories paint different pictures of reality. For more on applying Internat...
Professor Sir Steve Smith uses the example of the Syrian civil war to explain how IR theories paint different pictures of reality. For more on applying International Relations theory see The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations, 6th edition http://oxford.ly/1dtkvw8
Professor Sir Steve Smith uses the example of the Syrian civil war to explain how IR theories paint different pictures of reality. For more on applying International Relations theory see The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations, 6th edition http://oxford.ly/1dtkvw8
Professor Andrew Moravscik from Princeton University discusses Liberal theory
(Part 2 of 7)
Playlist link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXllDh6rD18&list=PL...
Professor Andrew Moravscik from Princeton University discusses Liberal theory
(Part 2 of 7)
Playlist link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXllDh6rD18&list=PLhQpDGfX5e7C6FA5IYU3VPYN7kWHl1mxQ
Transcript link - http://podcast-admin.open.ac.uk/upload/files/3002_internationalrelations/transcript/33022_moravcsik_on_liberalism.pdf
Study a free course on Rights and justice in international relations at the Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/people-politics-law/politics-policy-people/politics/rights-and-justice-international-relations/content-section-0?active-tab=description-tab
Study Q11 BA (Honours) International Studies
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q11
Explore qualifications in Social Sciences with the OU
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/find/social-sciences
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high-quality online degrees and distance learning, serving students across the globe with highly respected degree qualifications, and the triple-accredited MBA. The OU teaches through its own unique method of distance learning, called ‘supported open learning’ and you do not need any formal qualifications to study with us, just commitment and a desire to find out what you are capable of.
Free learning from The Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/
For more like this subscribe to the Open University channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXsH4hSV_kEdAOsupMMm4Qw
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ouopenlearn/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OUFreeLearning
Professor Andrew Moravscik from Princeton University discusses Liberal theory
(Part 2 of 7)
Playlist link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXllDh6rD18&list=PLhQpDGfX5e7C6FA5IYU3VPYN7kWHl1mxQ
Transcript link - http://podcast-admin.open.ac.uk/upload/files/3002_internationalrelations/transcript/33022_moravcsik_on_liberalism.pdf
Study a free course on Rights and justice in international relations at the Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/people-politics-law/politics-policy-people/politics/rights-and-justice-international-relations/content-section-0?active-tab=description-tab
Study Q11 BA (Honours) International Studies
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q11
Explore qualifications in Social Sciences with the OU
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/find/social-sciences
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high-quality online degrees and distance learning, serving students across the globe with highly respected degree qualifications, and the triple-accredited MBA. The OU teaches through its own unique method of distance learning, called ‘supported open learning’ and you do not need any formal qualifications to study with us, just commitment and a desire to find out what you are capable of.
Free learning from The Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/
For more like this subscribe to the Open University channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXsH4hSV_kEdAOsupMMm4Qw
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ouopenlearn/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OUFreeLearning
Featuring academics from the International Relations Department at the LSE, ‘International Relations: an introduction’ is a 10-minute film about the study of in...
Featuring academics from the International Relations Department at the LSE, ‘International Relations: an introduction’ is a 10-minute film about the study of international relations, particularly at the LSE. The film looks at what we study, and why, and also at major themes and how to approach them, and debates Star Trek and whether there will ever be world peace.
Featuring academics from the International Relations Department at the LSE, ‘International Relations: an introduction’ is a 10-minute film about the study of international relations, particularly at the LSE. The film looks at what we study, and why, and also at major themes and how to approach them, and debates Star Trek and whether there will ever be world peace.
Introductory lecture to the discipline of International Relations by Dr Patrick Theiner, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of E...
Introductory lecture to the discipline of International Relations by Dr Patrick Theiner, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Edinburgh, UK. Recorded in late 2020.
== Timestamps ==
00:00 - Intro
01:02 - Theory as pattern recognition
04:15 - The Peloponnesian War
08:42 - Early realist thinkers
09:50 - Niccolo Machiavelli
14:27 - Origins of realism
17:17 - Kenneth Waltz' Neorealism
20:34 - Other realist theorists
21:56 - Core assumptions of neorealism
27:13 - Relationships between core concepts
28:57 - The security dilemma
34:17 - Balance of power
36:30 - How much power is enough?
38:42 - Unipolarity vs. bipolarity vs. multipolarity
44:49 - Realism and cooperation
49:17 - Realism and international institutions
50:43 - Is this a good theory?
Introductory lecture to the discipline of International Relations by Dr Patrick Theiner, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Edinburgh, UK. Recorded in late 2020.
== Timestamps ==
00:00 - Intro
01:02 - Theory as pattern recognition
04:15 - The Peloponnesian War
08:42 - Early realist thinkers
09:50 - Niccolo Machiavelli
14:27 - Origins of realism
17:17 - Kenneth Waltz' Neorealism
20:34 - Other realist theorists
21:56 - Core assumptions of neorealism
27:13 - Relationships between core concepts
28:57 - The security dilemma
34:17 - Balance of power
36:30 - How much power is enough?
38:42 - Unipolarity vs. bipolarity vs. multipolarity
44:49 - Realism and cooperation
49:17 - Realism and international institutions
50:43 - Is this a good theory?
Hi!
Welcome back to the King's College London International Relations Today Youtube channel. Today's video is the third in our IR 101 series in which we discus...
Hi!
Welcome back to the King's College London International Relations Today Youtube channel. Today's video is the third in our IR 101 series in which we discuss the basics and foundations of International Relations. In this episode we have invited Sebastian Beyenburg (2nd year King's IR student and IR Today staff writer) to teach us the foundations of another school of thought in IR, constructivism. We hope you enjoy the video and learn a little more about international relations!
International Relations Today is a multimedia platform opening up the world of publishing to undergraduates interested in voicing their thoughts and opinions about the questions which make the world go around. We focus on international relations and are made up of an all undergraduate in-house editing team based in the corridors of the War Studies Department at King’s College London.
In the video: Sebastian Beyenburg (IR Today Staff Writer)
Filmed and edited by: Anna Huang (IR Today Digital Media Editor)
Check out our website for more details: https://irtodayblog.wordpress.com/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin!
Hi!
Welcome back to the King's College London International Relations Today Youtube channel. Today's video is the third in our IR 101 series in which we discuss the basics and foundations of International Relations. In this episode we have invited Sebastian Beyenburg (2nd year King's IR student and IR Today staff writer) to teach us the foundations of another school of thought in IR, constructivism. We hope you enjoy the video and learn a little more about international relations!
International Relations Today is a multimedia platform opening up the world of publishing to undergraduates interested in voicing their thoughts and opinions about the questions which make the world go around. We focus on international relations and are made up of an all undergraduate in-house editing team based in the corridors of the War Studies Department at King’s College London.
In the video: Sebastian Beyenburg (IR Today Staff Writer)
Filmed and edited by: Anna Huang (IR Today Digital Media Editor)
Check out our website for more details: https://irtodayblog.wordpress.com/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin!
Professor Ringmar stressed out that the academic study of international relations has for far too long been dominated by theories and concepts that originated from the West. Erik Ringmar is a professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Ibn Haldun Üniversitesi in İstanbul, Turkey. He received his PhD in political science from Yale University in 1993. He taught for 12 years in the Government Department at the London School of Economics, and in China for seven years, where he until 2014 was Zhiyuan Chair professor of international politics at Shanghai Jiaotong University. He has written five books and some 40 academic articles on topics relating to international politics, economic sociology and cultural history. He has recently become interested in cognitive science and phenomenology and is currently thinking of ways in which these fields could enrich our understanding of social life. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
Professor John Mearsheimer from the University of Chicago discusses Structural Realism
(Part 1 of 7)
Playlist link - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhQpDGfX5e7C6FA5IYU3VPYN7kWHl1mxQ
Transcript link - http://podcast.open.ac.uk/feeds/3002_internationalrelations/transcript/33023_meirsheimer_on_realism.pdf
Study a free course on Rights and justice in international relations at the Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/people-politics-law/politics-policy-people/politics/rights-and-justice-international-relations/content-section-0?active-tab=description-tab
Study Q11 BA (Honours) International Studies
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q11
Explore qualifications in Social Sciences with the OU
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/find/social-sciences
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high-quality online degrees and distance learning, serving students across the globe with highly respected degree qualifications, and the triple-accredited MBA. The OU teaches through its own unique method of distance learning, called ‘supported open learning’ and you do not need any formal qualifications to study with us, just commitment and a desire to find out what you are capable of.
Free learning from The Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/
For more like this subscribe to the Open University channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXsH4hSV_kEdAOsupMMm4Qw
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ouopenlearn/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OUFreeLearning
Professor Sir Steve Smith uses the example of the Syrian civil war to explain how IR theories paint different pictures of reality. For more on applying International Relations theory see The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations, 6th edition http://oxford.ly/1dtkvw8
Professor Andrew Moravscik from Princeton University discusses Liberal theory
(Part 2 of 7)
Playlist link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXllDh6rD18&list=PLhQpDGfX5e7C6FA5IYU3VPYN7kWHl1mxQ
Transcript link - http://podcast-admin.open.ac.uk/upload/files/3002_internationalrelations/transcript/33022_moravcsik_on_liberalism.pdf
Study a free course on Rights and justice in international relations at the Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/people-politics-law/politics-policy-people/politics/rights-and-justice-international-relations/content-section-0?active-tab=description-tab
Study Q11 BA (Honours) International Studies
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/q11
Explore qualifications in Social Sciences with the OU
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/find/social-sciences
The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high-quality online degrees and distance learning, serving students across the globe with highly respected degree qualifications, and the triple-accredited MBA. The OU teaches through its own unique method of distance learning, called ‘supported open learning’ and you do not need any formal qualifications to study with us, just commitment and a desire to find out what you are capable of.
Free learning from The Open University
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/
For more like this subscribe to the Open University channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXsH4hSV_kEdAOsupMMm4Qw
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ouopenlearn/
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OUFreeLearning
Featuring academics from the International Relations Department at the LSE, ‘International Relations: an introduction’ is a 10-minute film about the study of international relations, particularly at the LSE. The film looks at what we study, and why, and also at major themes and how to approach them, and debates Star Trek and whether there will ever be world peace.
Introductory lecture to the discipline of International Relations by Dr Patrick Theiner, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the University of Edinburgh, UK. Recorded in late 2020.
== Timestamps ==
00:00 - Intro
01:02 - Theory as pattern recognition
04:15 - The Peloponnesian War
08:42 - Early realist thinkers
09:50 - Niccolo Machiavelli
14:27 - Origins of realism
17:17 - Kenneth Waltz' Neorealism
20:34 - Other realist theorists
21:56 - Core assumptions of neorealism
27:13 - Relationships between core concepts
28:57 - The security dilemma
34:17 - Balance of power
36:30 - How much power is enough?
38:42 - Unipolarity vs. bipolarity vs. multipolarity
44:49 - Realism and cooperation
49:17 - Realism and international institutions
50:43 - Is this a good theory?
Hi!
Welcome back to the King's College London International Relations Today Youtube channel. Today's video is the third in our IR 101 series in which we discuss the basics and foundations of International Relations. In this episode we have invited Sebastian Beyenburg (2nd year King's IR student and IR Today staff writer) to teach us the foundations of another school of thought in IR, constructivism. We hope you enjoy the video and learn a little more about international relations!
International Relations Today is a multimedia platform opening up the world of publishing to undergraduates interested in voicing their thoughts and opinions about the questions which make the world go around. We focus on international relations and are made up of an all undergraduate in-house editing team based in the corridors of the War Studies Department at King’s College London.
In the video: Sebastian Beyenburg (IR Today Staff Writer)
Filmed and edited by: Anna Huang (IR Today Digital Media Editor)
Check out our website for more details: https://irtodayblog.wordpress.com/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin!
International relations theory is the study of international relations from a theoretical perspective; it attempts to provide a conceptual framework upon which international relations can be analyzed.Ole Holsti describes international relations theories as acting like pairs of coloured sunglasses that allow the wearer to see only salient events relevant to the theory; e.g. an adherent of realism may completely disregard an event that a constructivist might pounce upon as crucial, and vice versa. The three most popular theories are realism, liberalism and constructivism.
International relations theories can be divided into "positivist/rationalist" theories which focus on a principally state-level analysis, and "post-positivist/reflectivist" ones which incorporate expanded meanings of security, ranging from class, to gender, to postcolonial security. Many often conflicting ways of thinking exist in IR theory, including constructivism, institutionalism, Marxism, neo-Gramscianism, and others. However, two positivist schools of thought are most prevalent: realism and liberalism; though increasingly, constructivism is becoming mainstream.