Realism in International Relations

Focuses on state sovereignty and national interest
Views international relations as an anarchic system where states must rely on self-help for survival
Key concepts:
- Security dilemma: when one state's pursuit of security leads to insecurity in another state
- Balance of power: the principle of maintaining a balance of military power among states to prevent any one state from dominating others
- Human nature: realists believe humans are inherently selfish and power-seeking
Notable realists:
- Thomas Hobbes
- Carl von Clausewitz
- Hans Morgenthau
- Kenneth Waltz

Emphasizes the importance of international institutions, cooperation, and interdependence
Views international relations as a system where states can work together to achieve common goals
Key concepts:
- International institutions: organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union that promote cooperation and reduce conflict
- Interdependence: the idea that states are linked through economic and cultural ties, making conflict less likely
- Democratic peace theory: the idea that democratic states are less likely to go to war with each other
Notable liberals:
- Immanuel Kant
- Woodrow Wilson
- Joseph Nye
- Robert Keohane

Focuses on the role of ideas, norms, and identity in shaping international relations
Views international relations as a social construct, where states and actors create and shape their own reality
Key concepts:
- Social constructivism: the idea that international relations are shaped by the interactions and shared understandings of states and actors
- Identity: the idea that states and actors have distinct identities that influence their behavior
- Norms: the shared expectations and standards of behavior that shape international relations
Notable constructivists:
- Alexander Wendt
- Peter Katzenstein
- Martha Finnemore
- Kathryn Sikkink

Views international relations as a system of class struggle and economic exploitation
Emphasizes the role of capitalism and imperialism in shaping international relations
Key concepts:
- Class struggle: the idea that international relations are shaped by the struggle between different social classes
- Economic exploitation: the idea that developed countries exploit developing countries for their own economic gain
- Imperialism: the idea that developed countries use military power and economic coercion to maintain their dominance over developing countries
Notable Marxists:
- Karl Marx
- Vladimir Lenin
- Antonio Gramsci
- Immanuel Wallerstein

Focuses on the role of gender and feminist perspectives in international relations
Views international relations as a system that is shaped by and reinforces patriarchal norms and power structures
Key concepts:
- Gender: the social and cultural constructions of masculinity and femininity that shape international relations
- Patriarchy: the system of male dominance that shapes international relations
- Intersectionality: the idea that gender intersects with other forms of oppression, such as race and class, to shape international relations
Notable feminists:
- Jean Bethke Elshtain
- Cynthia Enloe
- J. Ann Tickner
- Spike Peterson

Focuses on state sovereignty and national interest, prioritizing self-preservation in an anarchic international system
Security dilemma: a state's pursuit of security leads to insecurity in another state, creating a cycle of insecurity
Balance of power: maintaining a balance of military power among states prevents any one state from dominating others
Human nature: realists believe humans are inherently selfish and power-seeking, driving state behavior

Emphasizes cooperation and interdependence through international institutions, reducing conflict and promoting collective goals
International institutions: organizations like the UN and EU promote cooperation and reduce conflict
Interdependence: economic and cultural ties link states, making conflict less likely
Democratic peace theory: democratic states are less likely to go to war with each other, promoting peace

Focuses on the role of ideas, norms, and identity in shaping international relations, where states create and shape their own reality
Social constructivism: international relations are shaped by interactions and shared understandings among states and actors
Identity: distinct identities influence state and actor behavior
Norms: shared expectations and standards shape international relations

Views international relations as a system of class struggle and economic exploitation, driven by capitalism and imperialism
Class struggle: the struggle between different social classes shapes international relations
Economic exploitation: developed countries exploit developing countries for economic gain
Imperialism: developed countries use military power and economic coercion to maintain dominance

Focuses on the role of gender and feminist perspectives in international relations, highlighting patriarchal norms and power structures
Gender: social and cultural constructions of masculinity and femininity shape international relations
Patriarchy: the system of male dominance shapes international relations
Intersectionality: gender intersects with other forms of oppression, such as race and class, to shape international relations