Summarising IR theories
Table 1 summarises the four IR theories.
| Theoretical tradition | Which actors are key? | Which issues? | What kind of perspective? | Key thinkers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Realism | States | Conflict, security, power, national interest, polarity, continuity | ‘Outside-in’ or ‘top-down’: The behaviour of state actors determined by the external character of the international system (anarchy is unchanging) |
Waltz Mearsheimer Walt Ayoob |
| Liberalism | States, international organisations, non-state actors, individuals | Cooperation, democratisation, peace, collective security, free trade, human rights | ‘Inside-out’: Interdependent states cooperating with one another pursue shared interests (the impact of anarchy can be mitigated) |
Nye Milner Moravscik Slaughter |
| Constructivism | States, non-state actors | Norms, rules, values and expectations, social construction, ideational as well as material institutions, change | Interactive: States and institutions/organisations impact one another’s identities and interests through social interaction (anarchy can be reimagined and reconstructed) |
Wendt Onuf Sikkink Keck |
| Postcolonialism | Formerly colonised states, marginalised/minoritised individuals | Colonialism, neocolonialism, resistance, inequality, epistemic violence, emancipation | ‘Bottom-up’: Highlight the experiences, needs and voices of those exploited and marginalised in the international system (Anarchy has been deployed as a justification for the colonial project) |
Fanon Said Spivak Jabri Seth |