Theories of International Relations: Realism, Liberalism, Marxism, and Post-Modernism

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts, foundational thinkers, mechanisms, and paradigms of Realism, Liberalism, Marxism, Postmodernism, and Social Constructivism from the IR Theory lecture notes.

IR Theory

A way of understanding and explaining why countries behave the way they do in world politics.

Thucydides

An ancient Greek historian who believed powerful countries can control weaker ones. This is called might makes right.

Niccolò Machiavelli

Believed leaders sometimes need to use force, threats, and power to protect their country.. Thomas Hobbes

Realism

A theory that believes countries compete for power and security because there is no world government controlling them.

Classical Realism (Morgenthau)

Believes countries make decisions based on their national interests, especially gaining and protecting power.

Stag Hunt Allegory

Shows how people may choose a smaller, safer reward instead of cooperating for a bigger reward because they do not trust others.

Power Seeking

Countries try to become stronger through military strength, influence, and resources to protect themselves.

Anarchy (Realism)

There is no higher government above countries to make or enforce rules, so each country must protect itself.

Balance of Power

Countries try to keep power relatively equal so that one country does not become too strong or threatening.

Polarity

The number of major powerful countries that influence the international system.

Unipolarity

A system with one dominant world power. Your slides describe it as somewhat stable.

Bipolarity

A system with two major world powers competing. Your slides consider it the most stable when both powers are balanced.

Multipolarity

A system with three or more major powers. Your slides consider it the least stable because more countries compete for power.

Structural Realism (Waltz)

Believes countries naturally form alliances to balance powerful threats and protect their security.

Hugo Grotius

Believed countries have the right to defend themselves against violence and should follow international laws.

Immanuel Kant

Believed countries could achieve peace through cooperation and by recognizing their shared humanity.

Emer de Vattel

Believed countries should work together and organize themselves to prevent injustice.

Liberalism

A theory that believes countries can achieve peace by cooperating, following international laws, and joining organizations.

Liberal Idealism

Believes people are capable of doing good and countries can prevent conflict through cooperation instead of violence.

Wilson's Fourteen Points

President Woodrow Wilson's plan after WWI to promote peace through free trade, openness, international organizations, and reduced aggression.

Power (Liberalism)

Countries can gain influence by cooperating, negotiating, and working toward shared goals instead of relying only on force.

Security Dilemma

When one country increases its military for protection, other countries feel threatened and increase their militaries too.

Collective Security

Countries agree to work together to stop aggression and protect one another from threats.

Neo-Liberal Institutionalism

Believes international organizations help countries cooperate and maintain peace even when they disagree.

Harmony vs. Cooperation (Keohane)

Harmony: Countries already want the same thing. Cooperation: Countries have different interests but work together to reach a common goal.

Evolution of Cooperation (Axelrod)

Shows that countries can learn to cooperate over time because working together repeatedly can benefit everyone.

Prisoner's Dilemma

Shows how two sides may act selfishly because they do not trust each other, even though cooperating would give both a better result.

Vladimir Lenin

Believed governments often protect capitalism and the wealthy class instead of treating all economic classes equally.

John A. Hobson

Believed capitalism can lead wealthy countries to expand into weaker countries to find new markets and make more money.

Marxism (IR)

A theory that believes world politics is shaped by capitalism, economic inequality, and the exploitation of poorer countries.

Bourgeoisie

The wealthy class that owns businesses, factories, and resources and makes profits from workers' labor.

Proletariat

The working class that earns wages and is often exploited by wealthy business owners.

Stratification

The unequal division of wealth, resources, and power between different countries or groups.

Dependency Theory

Explains how poorer countries depend on wealthy countries for money, trade, and resources, allowing wealthy countries to maintain control.

Debt (Dependency Theory)

Poor countries borrow money from wealthy countries or organizations and struggle to repay it, keeping them economically dependent.

Unequal Trade

Poor countries sell cheap raw materials to wealthy countries but must buy expensive manufactured products from them.

Direct Foreign Investment (DFI)

When foreign companies invest in or purchase businesses in another country, potentially gaining control over its resources and economy.

North-South Gap

The economic divide between the generally wealthy, industrialized Global North and the poorer, developing Global South.

World Systems Theory

A theory by Immanuel Wallerstein that divides the world economy into three groups: core, semi-periphery, and periphery.

Core States

Wealthy, powerful, industrialized countries that benefit from the resources and cheap labor of poorer countries.

Semi-Periphery States

Middle-level countries that are less powerful than core states but more developed than periphery states.

Periphery States

Poorer, less industrialized countries that provide cheap labor and raw materials to wealthier countries.

Imperialism (Marxism)

When powerful countries control or exploit weaker countries to gain resources, expand markets, and increase profits.

Postmodernism

An approach that questions whether there is one universal truth and believes different perspectives shape how people understand world politics.

Feminism (IR)

Studies how international politics has been influenced by male-dominated ideas and how gender affects power and decision-making.

Social Constructivism

Believes countries' behavior is shaped by shared ideas, beliefs, identities, and social norms rather than just military or economic power.

Social Construct

An idea, rule, or belief created and accepted by people through social interaction, such as traditions or expectations.

Anarchy (Constructivism)

Alexander Wendt's idea that anarchy does not automatically cause conflict; countries decide what anarchy means through their relationships