Liberalism in International Relations Theory

Theoretical Approaches in International Relations

• Liberal approach in IR refers to a theoretical approach that focuses on cooperation between nations rather than competition for power, incorporating economic and political ideas.

Feminist International Relations Theory

• Emerged from the desire to integrate women's roles in the international system and the impact of political decisions on women.
• Provides a critique of existing theoretical approaches and offers an alternative with gender-sensitive lenses.
• Argues that unless all actors involved in or affected by a decision are considered, it is impossible to get a complete picture.

Theoretical Perspectives

• Realism (classical and neostructural/structural) is a fundamental IR theory that puts the state at the center of analysis, focusing on power and balance of power.
• Realism is grounded in history, but it is state-centered, which raises questions when applying it to the modern world.
• Other approaches have emerged or gained prominence since the end of the Cold War, including liberalism and constructivism.
• Liberalism focuses on different levels of analysis, making normative assumptions about what drives a state's behavior.
• Constructivism focuses on social structures within and outside states, examining their impact on states' behaviors.

Overview of Theoretical Models

• This chapter provides a brief introduction to various theoretical models, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, and feminist approaches.
• The goal is to offer a starting point for understanding the international system and world events, rather than a comprehensive study.
• Each approach can be applied to understanding different aspects of international relations.