Theories of International Relations

This chapter deals with theories of international relationsTheories of international relations. The author considers an analysis of the main theories essential for understanding diplomacy. The chapter addresses four main theories of international politics: liberalism, realismRealism, neoliberal institutionalismNeoliberal institutionalism, and constructivismConstructivism. The representatives and concepts of these theories are presented in the chapter. While realismRealism focuses on the idea of force and powerPower among states, based on the view that states act primarily in their own self-interest, neorealismNeorealism suggests that the anarchic structure of the system dictates state behavior. The difference between realismRealism and liberalism is that realism and neorealism focus on power and security, as dictated by the international anarchist system, while liberalism highlights the importance of international cooperationInternationalcooperation through democratic norms and institutions. Neoliberal institutionalismNeoliberal institutionalism is a theoretical approach that emphasizes the role of international institutions and interdependenceInterdependence. This theory asserts that not only states, but also non-state actors are important in the international systemInternationalsystem. ConstructivismConstructivism, which emerged in the post-Cold War eraCold war era, advocates the view that states and other actors develop their interests and identities through social interactions, influenced by culturalInterestcultural, historical, and normative factors. This approach underlines the importance of norms, valuesValues, and communicationCommunication in the international relationsInternationalrelations.