Global Politics Key Thinkers

Niccolò Machiavelli, Classical realism

the state must act ruthlessly to preserve power and human nature is selfish

Thomas Hobbes, Classical realism

in the “state of nature” life is “solitary, poor, nasty and short”; people give up freedom for security under a sovereign

Hans Morgenthau, Realist theory

the primary goal of the state is survival and power; politics is governed by objective laws rooted in human nature

John Locke, Classical liberalism

individuals have natural rights (life, liberty, property) and can overthrow a government failing to protect them

Immanuel Kant, Liberal theory

international cooperation, republicanism and a federation of states to promote peace

Joseph Nye, Liberalism / soft power

states should use “soft power” and interdependence rather than only military force; power includes agenda-setting and relational influence

Karl Marx, Marxist / critical theory

politics and global relations are shaped by economic structures, class conflict and capitalism’s inequalities

Antonio Gramsci, Cultural hegemony (critical theory)

ruling classes maintain power not just through coercion, but by controlling culture, ideas and consent

Alexander Wendt, Constructivism

international relations are socially constructed: identities, norms and ideas shape state behaviour, not just material power

Edward Said, Post-colonial theory

colonial power and knowledge shape global politics; “the Other” is constructed via Western-centric discourse

Feminist theorists (e.g., Cynthia Enloe), Feminist theory

global politics must analyse gendered power relations; war, security and state behaviour have masculine biases

Relativism / Universalism, Ethical frameworks

Universalism claims some values (e.g., human rights) apply to all; Relativism claims values depend on culture/context

Neoliberalism, Liberal/neoliberal theory

emphasizes cooperation, global institutions, interdependence and market-oriented globalisation

Dependency theory, Critical development theory

developing countries are structurally constrained by global capitalism and dependency relationships

Modernisation theory, Development theory

developing societies follow a linear path from “traditional” to “modern” via economic growth, liberalisation & westernisation

Post-colonialism, Critical theory

analyses how colonial histories and power relations shape current global politics, identities and structures

Environmentalism / Ecological theory, Critical perspective

global politics must integrate ecological limits, sustainability and the ways power/institutions respond to environmental crisis