ICC Theories

25/26 exam season

Classical realism: Morgenthau 1948

States driven to increase power and domiante based in human nature + order is achieved when there is a balance of power.

Anarchy —> states driven to maximise power bc of human nature —> struggle for power —> conflict/balance of power

Structural and defensive realism: Waltz 1979

States seek power for self-help and security but conflict is guarenteed due to the structure of the international system

Anarchy forces states to self-help, creating competition. Conflict is inevitable since it is the only rational choice in the system.

Anarchy —> self help —> competition —> conflict guarenteed

Defensive realism and security dilemma: Jervis 1978

Security dilemma in anarchy bc states prioritising their security inadvertently challenges the security of others. Conflict is structural

Anarchy —> self help —> offensive defensive not distinguishable —> conflict

Offensive realism: Mearsheimer 2001

Great powers are power maximisers with the goal of reaching hegemony; better to act in offensive than be caught in a defensive position. Conflict is structural

Anarchy —> self help to maximise power —> security dilemma —> better to be on offensive

Liberalism/liberal peace: Oneal and Russett 1999

Agree with Kant 1795: Anarchy can be mitigated by liberal peace (long lasting just peace) cultivated through democracy, economic interdependence, and intergovernmental organisations.

Anarchy —> security dilemma —> demo + inter + igos —> liberal peace —> less armed conflict

USA example Liberalism critique: Cooley and Nexon 2025

Trump’s “America first” perception weakens the liberal international order which relies on American power. Trump undermines three of Kant’s principles for liberal peace: democracy (growing republican influence), economic interdependence (tariffs), IGOs (leaving most igos)

China example LIO critique: Weiss and Wallace 2021

China as an autocracy is directly challenging the ILO and liberal peace.
1) States develop —> DEMOCRATISE —> integrate in ILO: china is an autocracy but is still well integrated in the international order

2) IGOs —> peaceful cooperation: China is part of IGOs but doesnt exactly align with liberal norms. Instead has strategic memberships that boost its national interest over anything else

3) domestic politics deterimes international behaviour (democracy): china is an autocracy —> economy, nationalism, and strength prioritised —> fix domestic uncertainty by projecting strength internationally —> weak domestically results in more aggressive international behavior

Critical theory (dependency theory): Frank 1966

The underdevelopment of some states is attributed to the expansion of the capitalist system internationally and it’s not just a “stage” of development.

Directly challenges liberalism idea (Kantian peace Oneal and Russell 1999) that difussion of values, capital, and institutions from the West to the other states increases development. Instead Frank argues that this just reinforces underdevelopment.

Core and periphery states (developed and underdeveloped).

Critical theory (racism): Vitalis 2000

Can be used to argue that most international relations theories negate race and culture.

Finnemore and Sikkink 1998 naunce: humanitarian intervention norm —> historically has been based in caste distinctions and white supremacy distinctions