The Great Debates in International Relations 1 st Great Debate (20s 30s) 2 nd Great Debate...

• Chapter 3

Middle Earth and Three Great Debates in International Relations

The Great Debatesin International Relations

1st Great Debate (20s & 30s)

2nd Great Debate (50s-80s)

3rd Great Debate (80s & on)

The 1st Great

Debate

Visions of the future

Classical Realism

Classical Liberalism

Marxism

CLASSICAL REALISM

• Humans are eternally aggressive

• Conflict is the normal state of the world

• States are primary actors in the international system

• Ends justify means

• People are inherently good, so conflict can be reduced through social learning

• Conflict is not the norm, but an aberration

• NGO’s & other non-state actors play a significant role in the international system

CLASSICAL LIBERALISM

MARXISM• Focuses on conflict

among different economic classes

• Social revolution promotes greater equality

• Trees in Fangorn resist perceived efforts to exploit them

The 2nd

Great Debate

Method:History vs.

Science

English School

Rational Choice

Neo-realism

Neo-liberalism

Neo-Marxism

English SchoolFocuses on

“international society” of states

Rational ChoiceUnbounded Rationality

Actors “maximize their

interests” through cost-

benefit analysis

Rational ChoiceBounded

RationalityCalculations are informed by self-awareness and

psychological factors

Neo-Realism

Inter-state conflict is inevitable because of anarchic structure of

international systemKey variable is

distribution of military powerUnder anarchy, lack of overarching power or government puts states

into a “security dilemma”

Defensive

Realism

States seek to increase power only

under certain circumstances

Offensive Realism

States seek to increase power to maximize

their security

Neo-Liberalism

Inter-state cooperation is feasibleGreater concentration on role of

international institutions in constraining behavior and

overcoming barriersThe more contact states have

through trade, investment, tourism, etc.,

the stronger the reciprocity

Neo-Marxism

Inter-state conflict is inevitable because of anarchic structure of

international systemKey variable is

distribution of military power

Under anarchy, lack of overarching power or government

puts states into a “security dilemma”

Gramscian

Dependency

World Systems

The 3rd Great

Debate

How knowledge is acquired

Constructivism

Critical Theory

Positivism

Constructivists

Emphasizes role of socially constructed ideas in shaping

International RelationsWithout a perceived security threat, warlike behavior isn’t considered

and the “norm” is peaceConstructed worlds can constrain behavior in international politics

Critical Theory

Questions rationalist state-centric framework and research agenda

Focuses on alternative issues and marginalized populations

Argue that normative concerns should be included in International

Relations

Where is IR theory

now?