Set 1A — Introduction to IR, Theories & Realism (Part 1)

What is International Relations (IR)?

The study of relationships and interactions among countries and other actors in the international system, including issues such as conflict, international organization, and international political economy.

What is the difference between International Relations (IR) and Comparative Politics (CP)?

IR focuses on politics outside the state and interactions among countries, while Comparative Politics focuses on politics inside states. IR emphasizes anarchy, while domestic politics generally operates under hierarchy.

What are the three tasks of IR scholars?

Describe, explain, and predict.

What does it mean to describe in IR?

To identify and explain what is happening in international politics.

What does it mean to explain in IR?

To identify why something happens in international politics.

What does it mean to predict in IR?

To estimate what may happen in international politics based on patterns and explanations.

What is a theory?

“Theories are simplified descriptions of reality that explain how some facet of the world works.”

Why are theories simplified pictures of reality?

Theories are built on simplifying assumptions about which factors matter the most for explaining how the world works.

What are the three main components of a theory?

Empirical claims, assumptions, and causal logic.

What is an empirical claim?

A claim that stipulates a robust, though not absolute, relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable.

What is an independent variable?

The variable proposed to cause or influence a change in another variable.

What is a dependent variable?

The variable that a theory seeks to explain.

What is an assumption in a theory?

A descriptive statement about decision makers and their environments.

What is causal logic?

One or more chains of causal mechanisms that connect an independent variable and a dependent variable.

Why do IR scholars use theories?

Policymakers lack abundant and reliable information about the interests, intentions, resolve, and capabilities of other states.

What is realism?

A theory of international relations that emphasizes anarchy, states, power, national interests, and survival.

Who are the major realist theorists listed in the slides?

Thucydides, Hobbes, Morgenthau, Waltz, and Mearsheimer.

What is anarchy in international relations?

The absence of a hierarchically superior, coercive authority that can create laws, resolve disputes, or enforce law and order.

Why do states rely on themselves under realism?

States can only rely on themselves to protect against attacks or other forms of coercion from other states in the international system.

According to the realism slides, what are two ways states can increase power?

War and conquest, and balancing by taking actions to offset the power of more powerful states.

How do the realism slides define power?

“An actor controlling another to do what that other would not otherwise do.”

How does realism view states?

States are the principal actors in international relations, unitary actors, rational actors, and pursuers of national interests.

What is a unitary actor?

An actor that acts with one voice.

What are national interests according to the realism slides?

The protection of a state's territory and sovereignty, and its survival.

Why do both military and economic power matter to realists?

Economic power can be used for coercion in and of itself and can also be translated into military power.

What does it mean to say realism takes a top-down approach?

The anarchic nature of the international system shapes how states behave.