Key Theories of International Relations

by Norwich University Online

October 16th, 2017

International relations theories can help us understand the way the international systems
work, as well as how nations engage with each other and view the world. Varying from
liberal, equality-centric strategies to straightforward realist concepts, international relations
theories are often used by diplomats and international relations experts to dictate the
direction that a government may take in regards to an international political issue or concern.
By studying the following key international theories, professionals in the field can better
discern the motivations and goals driving policy decisions worldwide.

Realism in International Relations

Realism is a straightforward approach to international relations, stating that all nations are
working to increase their own power, and those countries that manage to horde power most
efficiently will thrive, as they can easily eclipse the achievements of less powerful nations.
The theory further states that a nation’s foremost interest should be self-preservation and
that continually gaining power should always be a social, economic, and political imperative.
The nature of realism implies that seeking a moral high ground is a goal that governments
cannot always achieve and that deceit and violence can be highly effective tools for
advancing national interests. With homeland defense elevated to the highest priority,
remaining morally righteous in the eyes of international organizations can take a backseat to
enforcing foreign policy that will improve the nation’s global stature. In modern times, realism
is evident in the foreign policies of China and Russia. The relationship between Russia and
Syria is one that has raised eyebrows in Europe and around the world; despite the bloody
civil war in Syria—and the international community’s pleas for intervention—Russia has
maintained strategic relations with the government of Bashar Al-Assad in order to protect
Russian interests in the region. Similarly, China continues its diplomatic and economic
association with North Korea in spite of the latter’s abysmal human rights record and
aggressive nuclear testing. Chinese encroachment into the South China Sea and Russia’s
incursions into Ukraine also highlight the two countries’ aggressive—and at times violent—
realist political approach to international affairs.

Liberalism
Also called “liberal internationalism,” liberalism is based on the belief that the current global
system is capable of engendering a peaceful world order. Rather than relying on direct force,
such as military action, liberalism places an emphasis on international cooperation as a
means of furthering each nation’s respective interests. Liberalists believe that the negative
consequences of force—such as economic losses and civilian casualties—far exceed its
potential benefits. Therefore, liberal politicians generally prefer the use of economic and
social power in achieving their national goals (for instance, obtaining the agreement of a
neighboring country to help secure a border). In today’s globalized society, using economic
tactics—such as bilateral trade agreements and international diplomacy—can be more
effective in advancing political interests than threatening force. As liberalism has become
more rooted in international cooperation through the establishment of organizations like the
United Nations, realism has started to wane as a viable political strategy. It can be argued
that the liberalist tradition, perpetuated by the United States, has become the dominant
system in international relations, with established values and international institutions in
place to regulate this order.

Constructivism
Constructivism rests on the notion that rather than the outright pursuit of material interests, it
is a nation’s belief systems—historical, cultural and social —that explain its foreign policy
efforts and behavior. For example, since German aggression served as the primary catalyst
for the Second World War, Germany deploys its armed forces outside of German borders
only when its government is certain of the need to intervene in instances of genocide or
conflict that threatens to spill over into other nations. This has been demonstrated by the
country’s foreign policy following the first and second Gulf War (the latter of which Germany
refused to participate), as well as its reluctant participation in United Nations-led operations
in Somalia and Yugoslavia.
Constructivists also argue that states are not the most important actors in international
relations, but that international institutions and other non-state actors are valuable in
influencing behavior through lobbying and acts of persuasion. For this reason, constructivism
has become a popular and important theory in recent decades as non-state actors like
international organizations such as Amnesty International, OXFAM, and Greenpeace gain
political influence. International organizations play a role in promoting human rights and
making them an international standard to which countries are expected to conform.

Marxism
Karl Marx was a Prussian philosopher and economist whose works posited that societies
could escape the self-destructive nature of capitalist socioeconomic systems by
implementing socialist theory into their policies, both locally and abroad. Marxism, a theory
that closely analyzes social classes, aims to dismantle the capitalist structure of the
international system, as it states that capitalism is no longer practically sustainable in the
modern world. Marx believed that private property should be replaced by cooperative
ownership, with the emphasis placed entirely on satisfying human needs for consumption,
rather than creating private profit. Under an ideal socialist international regime, societies
would work together to ensure that basic human needs were met on a global scale. Marxism
was a dominant political ideology during the Cold War and inspired socialist revolutions in
countries such as China, Vietnam and Cuba. Marxism’s influence can still be felt today, with
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung encouraging students to study Marxism in
exchange for free tuition. The Marxist revival is not exclusive to current and former
communist nations; The 2017 Marxism Festival was hosted by the Socialist Workers Party in
London and attracted thousands of activists from across the world. As the global population
continues to grow and sustainability becomes increasingly precarious, Marxism remains a
relevant topic of discussion for those who advocate the prioritization of human needs over
private profit.
Feminism
Gender issues are a significant concern within global politics, and feminism as an
international relations theory seeks to regulate the power derived from (or denied on the
basis of) an individual’s gender. Feminists are mostly interested in tracking political and
social developments that inhibit success in female populations. When systems of power
subtly or overtly tell women they can only fulfill certain roles, those limitations become social
norms and perpetuate the cycle. The significance of feminism in international relations is
evidenced by the role women play in promoting more just and fair international relations
policies. Women like Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice have both made important
contributions to the advancement of women worldwide. As a senator representing the state
of New York, Clinton co-sponsored the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which was
aimed at combatting gender-based pay discrimination. Rice was instrumental in starting the
One Woman Initiative, which provides access to legal rights, political participation, and
economic development to women living in countries with a large Muslim population.
Outside of the U.S., the adoption of feminist policies has propelled women to political
achievement. Iceland has maintained women’s rights as integral to their political policy since
1850, when the nation granted unconditional inheritance rights to men and women. The
nation, which also granted women suffrage five years before the United States in 1915, has
also seen women in the highest levels of government: former President Vigdís
Finnbogadóttir and current Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurdardóttir were the first women to be
elected to these positions in 1980 and 2009, respectively. The National Committee for the
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) in Iceland was established in 1989
and focused on improving the social status of women across the globe. The contributions of
nations such as Iceland have been financially and socially impactful, addressing the need for
true gender equality and demonstrating the positive effects of feminism in domestic and
foreign policy.
With the rapid changes taking place in the current geopolitical landscape, discerning why
governments act as they do and understanding the implications of those actions has never
been more crucial. When leveraged properly, these theories can be used to accomplish a
broad array of objectives; therefore, international relations professionals must possess a
keen understanding of the specific impact each theoretical approach to international
relations can have on global diplomatic efforts. Obtaining a master’s degree in international
relations—such as the Master of Arts in International Relations degree offer by Norwich
University—can help individuals deepen their knowledge and understanding of these
theories and prepare them for the rigors of a career in international diplomacy.

Learn More
As the nation’s oldest private military college, Norwich University has been a leader in
innovative education since 1819. Through its online programs, Norwich delivers relevant and
applicable curricula that allow its students to make a positive impact on their places of work
and their communities.
Our online Master of Arts in International Relations program offers a curriculum which
evolves with current events to help you face the future of international affairs. The program
covers many subjects to give you a look at the internal workings of international players,
examine the role of state and non-state actors on the global stage, and explore different
schools of thought. You can further strengthen your knowledge by choosing one of five
concentrations in International Security, National Security, International Development, Cyber
Diplomacy, or Regions of the World.
Recommended Readings:
4 Trends Involving International Security
6 Insights on International Economic Development
Career Outlook: Foreign Service Specialist
Sources:
Fifty Key Thinkers in International Relations, Google Books
Handbook of International Relations, Google Books
The Globalization of World Politics, Google Books
Realism in International Relations, InternationalRelations.org
How China, The World’s Oldest Marxist State, Proves Marx Wrong, The Atlantic
Vietnam Seeks to Lure Students to Study Marxism with Free Tuition, The New York Times
IR Theory: Problem Solving Theory vs. Critical Theory, E-International Relations
Marxism Festival, Marxism Festival.org
Women’s Rights and Opportunities, The Office of Hillary Rodham Clinton
‘One Woman Initiative’ Announces First Grants to Women’s Organizations in Five Nations,
USAID
Feminism’s Influence on Iceland’s Foreign Policy, E-International Relations

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