arguments

Marsh (2015) – History of Global Politics: Main argument

International politics has evolved historically, but enduring patterns such as anarchy, power competition, and conflict persist across different eras of world politics.

Spruyt (2013) – Global Horizons Ch.5: Main argument

Anarchy structures international politics, but variation in outcomes exists because institutions and interaction patterns shape how states behave under anarchy.

Mearsheimer (2014) – Ukraine Crisis: Main argument

Western liberal policies, especially NATO expansion and EU engagement, provoked Russia’s aggressive response in Ukraine as a rational great-power reaction to perceived threats.

Paul (2004) – Balance of Power Theory: Main argument

Balance of power logic remains relevant because states continue to respond to threats by balancing, despite changes in the international system.

Rhamey & Kugler (2020) – Power, Space, and Time Chs.1 & 3: Main argument

The international system frequently operates through hierarchy and authority relationships rather than pure anarchy.

Rhamey & Kugler (2020) – Cold War Ch.6: Main argument

Cold War stability was maintained through hierarchical control within blocs, not solely through bipolar balance of power.

Spruyt (2013) – Global Horizons Ch.3: Main argument

States form alliances based on perceived threats, not simply on the distribution of power.

Götz (2016) – Russia and the Near Abroad: Main argument

Russian foreign policy is shaped by identity, state narratives, and elite discourse in addition to material power considerations.

Rhamey & Kugler (2020) – Deterrence Ch.11: Main argument

Deterrence succeeds only when credibility, information, and strategic conditions align; otherwise it often fails.

Szanto (2022) – War and IR Ch.11: Main argument

Dominant IR theories inadequately explain war because they neglect ethical, social, and normative dimensions.

Sagan, Waltz & Betts (2007) – Nuclear Iran: Main argument

Nuclear proliferation may increase stability through deterrence, but organizational failures and accidents make it extremely dangerous.

Espinola-Arredondo & Muñoz-Garcia (2023) – Game Theory: Main argument

Strategic interaction and incentives explain cooperation and conflict outcomes in international politics.

Oye (2018) – Cooperation under Anarchy: Main argument

Cooperation is possible under anarchy when states adopt appropriate strategies and institutional arrangements.

Axelrod & Keohane (2018) – Achieving Cooperation: Main argument

Institutions facilitate cooperation by reducing uncertainty, monitoring behavior, and extending the shadow of the future.

Frieden, Lake & Schultz (2022) – War as Bargaining Failure: Main argument

War occurs when bargaining fails due to incomplete information, commitment problems, or domestic political constraints.

Reus-Smit (2020) – Political Authority: Main argument

International authority exists through legitimacy and shared norms even without a centralized world government.

Moravcsik (2008) – The New Liberalism: Main argument

State preferences are shaped by domestic societal interests rather than systemic pressures alone.

Rasler & Thompson (2005) – Democratic Peace: Main argument

Democracies rarely fight one another because of institutional constraints and shared democratic norms.

Hurd (2008) – Constructivism: Main argument

International politics is socially constructed through norms, identities, and shared meanings.

Huntington (1993) – Clash of Civilizations: Main argument

Post–Cold War conflicts will be driven primarily by cultural and civilizational identities rather than ideology.

Klotz (2018) – Norms and Apartheid: Main argument

International norms can change state behavior by reshaping legitimacy and acceptable conduct.

Cooley & Nexon (2020) – How Hegemony Ends: Main argument

U.S. hegemony is eroding due to institutional contestation, domestic weaknesses, and external challengers.

Rosenau (1992) – Governance without Government: Main argument

Governance can exist without centralized authority through networks, norms, and informal mechanisms.

Barnett & Duvall (2014) – Diffusion of Power: Main argument

Power operates through institutions and social relations, not just direct coercion.

Simmons (2012) – International Law: Main argument

International law influences state behavior through legitimacy, incentives, and reputational effects.

Koslowski & Kratochwil (1994) – End of the Cold War: Main argument

The Cold War ended due to changes in norms and identities rather than shifts in material power alone.

Ikenberry & Kupchan (1990) – Socialization and Hegemony: Main argument

Hegemons shape international order by socializing other states into shared norms.

Ikenberry (2012) – Liberal Unipolarity: Main argument

Liberal institutions help stabilize U.S. unipolar power.

Posen (2012) – Multipolar Transition: Main argument

The international system is moving toward multipolarity as U.S. dominance declines.

Legro (2012) – Sell Unipolarity?: Main argument

Unipolarity is conceptually overstated and does not consistently explain global stability.