3 Theories of International Relations Free Online FlashCards

What do international relations theories do?

They are analytical lenses that highlight selected actors, forces, and processes to explain international outcomes.

What does anarchy mean in international relations?

Anarchy is the absence of a world government with authority over states; it does not mean constant chaos.

What does realism emphasize in world politics?

Realism treats states as principal actors that must pursue survival, security, and power because no higher authority can guarantee their safety.

What is the security dilemma?

The security dilemma occurs when one state's efforts to improve its security make another feel less secure, encouraging competition such as arms buildups.

What chiefly explains competition in structural realism?

Structural realism explains competition chiefly through the anarchic international system and the distribution of capabilities among states.

Which factors does liberalism consider beyond state security?

Liberalism examines how domestic politics, individuals, economic ties, and international institutions shape outcomes alongside states' security concerns.

How can institutions facilitate cooperation in neoliberal institutionalism?

They can provide information, establish shared rules, monitor commitments, and reduce negotiating costs, making cooperation more feasible.

What does constructivism study?

Constructivism examines how shared ideas, identities, norms, and expectations shape international politics and the meaning actors give to material factors.

Why does anarchy not dictate one behavior pattern for constructivists?

Anarchy does not dictate one pattern of behavior: states may see one another as enemies, rivals, or partners, shaping how they use power.

What does the English School mean by international society?

The English School studies how states form an international society through shared rules and institutions, including diplomacy and international law.

What do Marxist and critical approaches examine?

They examine how capitalism, class, labor, and historical structures distribute wealth and power, and how global economic arrangements might be transformed.

What does feminist IR investigate?

Feminist IR examines how gendered roles and assumptions shape power, security, war, representation, and whose experiences count.