The Three Different Theories Of International Relations

What is theory? Theories are statements that explain facts, events, laws, etc. Theories are invented to provide an explanation for a bounded realm of reality. Its assumptions are neither true nor false, but are judged on the theories explanatory power. Theories of international relations provides an abstract context upon which international relations can be studied. They are a means of answering the big question in international relations and foreign policy: Why do states behave the way they do in the international system? In Statecraft, we got to theoretically experience how the international world functions on a small scale. Two of the theories we learnt in class include realism and liberalism.

There are three different types of realism; Classical realism, neo-realism, and neo-classical realism. Classical realism is a theory that explains international politics as a result of human nature. The theory claims that states will do anything and everything to

In a way, neo-classical realism is sort of a combination of both classical realism and neo-realism. It argues that there are more reasons for a state to peruse power and fear other states. They take into consideration differences in ideology for an example. Going back to my previous example of the cold war, where classical realism would think the only reason why the US and the USSR were rivals was because they were trying to be more powerful than the other, neo-classical realism would argue that it was a combination of that and differences in ideology that ultimately led to the cold war. Relating this back to statecraft, Three Stars and Dylan did not get along. Differences in what they wanted to do with the simulation ultimately led to Dylan attacking Three