Comparison of IR Theories

Realism Classical Realism

Neorealism

Liberalism Liberalism

Neoliberalism

Constructivism

English School

Marxism

Individual level

Global system

Some individual

Global system

Individual level in

State level,

(human nature)

[Mansbach and

(e.g. John Stuart

level

transmission of

emphasizing

[Mansbach and

Rafferty 2008, p.

Mill) and some on

[Mansbach and

ideas and

dominant

Level of

Rafferty 2008, p.

41]

state level (e. g.

Rafferty 2008, p.

identities

economic system

analysis

41]

Immanuel Kant)

41]

[Mansbach and

[Mansbach and

[Mansbach and

Rafferty 2008, p.

Rafferty 2008, p.

Rafferty 2008, p.

41]

41]

41] Sovereign states

International

States,

Individuals, states,

Individuals,

[e.g. Kegley and

system

international

non-state actors

nongovernmental

Wittkopf 2011, p.

institutions,

organizations,

32]

global

transnational

corporations.

networks.

[Kegley and

[Kegley and

Wittkopf 2011, p.

Wittkopf 2011, p.

47]

47]

Aggressive and

Benign,

Malleable,

Benign and

selfish, cannot be

perfectible,

changes behavior

perfectible under

improved, cannot

harmony of

to reflect

socialism, greed

Human

be perfect.

interest is

changing norms

and selfishness

nature

[Mansbach and

possible.

in society.

without socialism.

Rafferty 2008, p.

[Mansbach and

[Mansbach and

[Mansbach and

41]

Rafferty 2008, p.

Rafferty 2008, p.

Rafferty 2008, p.

41]

41]

41]

Key actor(s)

Primary state

Various.

Survival, for both

objective

[Kegley and

offensive and

Wittkopf 2011, p.

defensive realism.

35]

[Kegley and Wittkopf 2011, p. 35] Don’t matter

A big problem,

much, may be

and can be

preferable.

reformed through

[Kegley and

strong

consequences

Wittkopf 2011, p.

international

of anarchy

43]

institution.

Nature and

[Kegley and Wittkopf 2011, p. 43]

World view

Pessimistic, war

Optimistic, wars

Indeterminate,

Optimistic: wars

can be managed

can be prevented

depends upon the

are the result of

but not

by reforms, e.g.

ideas that take

class conflict, and

eliminated.

free trade,

root and attract

can be eliminated

Policies should

economic

widespread

by the end of

enhance power.

development,

support.

capitalism and

[Mansbach and

welfare, and

[Mansbach and

introduction of

Rafferty 2008, p.

democracy.

Rafferty 2008, p.

classless society.

41]

Policies should

41]

Policies should

enhance justice.

enhance equality.

[Mansbach and Rafferty 2008, p. 41]

Change

Key features of

Key features of

Key features of

Key features of

global politics are

global politics are

global politics are

global politics are

permanent, evils

mutable, moving

mutable though

mutable.

such as war and

to a positive

change is

[Mansbach and

poverty cannot be

direction.

impeded by

Rafferty 2008, p.

eliminated.

[Mansbach and

material factors,

41]

[Mansbach and

Rafferty 2008, p.

only evolution of

Rafferty 2008, p.

41]

ideas and

41]

resulting change in identities and interests can modify material factors. [Mansbach and Rafferty 2008, p. 41]

Cooperation

Public opinion

Individuals are

International

Individuals and

Possible, because

Indeterminate,

Socialist and

naturally

cooperation is

states can

international

depending on

capitalist states

competitive.

possible, but will

cooperate to

cooperation will

which ideas

cannot cooperate.

[Mansbach and

be difficult to

overcome

reduce

become dominant

[Mansbach and

Rafferty 2008, p.

sustain.

collective

selfishness.

and the response

Rafferty 2008, p.

42]

[Kegley and

problems.

[Kegley and

to such ideas.

42]

Wittkopf 2011, p.

[Mansbach and

Wittkopf 2011, p.

[Mansbach and

43]

Rafferty 2008, p.

43]

Rafferty 2008, p.

42]

42]

Elitist, diplomacy

Public diplomacy,

Crucial in forming

Public opinion

should be

applauds public

intersubjective

reflects class

conducted in

opinion as an

consensus

perceptions and

secrecy by

obstacle to war.

regarding norms

interests,

professional

[Mansbach and

and ideas, to

dominant

diplomats. Public

Rafferty 2008, p.

create collective

economic class in

opinion is ill-

42]

identity.

society.

formed and

[Mansbach and

[Mansbach and

short-sighted.

Rafferty 2008, p.

Rafferty 2008, p.

[Mansbach and

42]

42]

Rafferty 2008, p. 42]

National interest

Leaders serve the

States exist to

National interest

States serve the

interests of the

serve the interests

is based on

interests of the

state. Focus is

of individuals.

national identity,

dominant

mainly on great

Free trade and

what states make

economic class in

powers.

human rights are

of it.

the society.

International

key regardless of

[Mansbach and

Economic

institutions are

state interests.

Rafferty 2008, p.

imperialism and

suspect as they

[Mansbach and

42]

dominance over

may pursue

Rafferty 2008, p.

the ‘periphery’

interests other

42]

of poor states.

than those of the

[Mansbach and

states.

Rafferty 2008, p.

[Mansbach and

42]

Rafferty 2008, p. 42]

International institutions and organizations

States must be

International

Support

Institutions are

Indeterminate.

Support

independent,

organizations are

international

important and will

[Mansbach and

transnational

autonomous, and

arenas for states

organizations as

change patters of

Rafferty 2008, p.

institutions

free to act

to compete for

encouraging

international

42]

created by

without limits of

influence.

peace to

politics.

socialist societies.

sovereignty.

[Kegley and

overcome

[Kegley and

[Mansbach and

[Mansbach and

Wittkopf 2011, p.

collective

Wittkopf 2011, p.

Rafferty 2008, p.

Rafferty 2008, p.

43]

dilemmas.

43]

42]

42]

[Mansbach and Rafferty 2008, p. 42]

Society

Tend to ignore

Focus on society

Intense focus on

Focus on society,

the role of

and relations

society as the

especially on

society.

among people

source of ideas

relations between

[Mansbach and

rather than state

and identities.

classes rather

Rafferty 2008, p.

bureaucracies.

[Mansbach and

than on

43]

[Mansbach and

Rafferty 2008, p.

government.

Rafferty 2008, p.

43]

[Mansbach and

43]

Rafferty 2008, p. 43]

Actors do and

There are areas

Indeterminate.

Focus on relative

should seek

where

[Mansbach and

gains of socialists

relative gain

participants can

Rafferty 2008, p.

compared to

rather than the

all profit or lose

43]

capitalists.

absolute gain.

(variable-sum

[Mansbach and

[Mansbach and

games) and there

Rafferty 2008, p.

Rafferty 2008, p.

are others in

43]

43]

which the gain made by one

Relative and

actor is equivalent

absolute gain

to the loss of other (zero-sum

game). Actors are more concerned about absolute gains. [Mansbach and Rafferty 2008, p. 43]

Security

Military and

Security is the

Human security

Security is less

Indeterminate.

Human security

economic security

primary issue.

consists of far

important than

[Mansbach and

consists of far

are the principle

[Kegley and

more than

economic welfare.

Rafferty 2008, p.

more than

issues, support

Wittkopf 2011, p.

military security.

[Kegley and

43]

for large defense

43]

[Mansbach and

Wittkopf 2011, p.

should involve

budgets and

Rafferty 2008, p.

43]

economic equality

opposition to free

43]

and fulfillment of

trade which can

basic material

render countries

needs.

less independent.

[Mansbach and

[Mansbach and

Rafferty 2008, p.

Rafferty 2008, p.

43]

43]

Approach to peace

Protect sovereign

Institutional

Activists who

autonomy and

reforms through

promote

deter rivals

democratization,

progressive ideas

through military

open markets,

and encourage

preparedness and

and international

states to adhere

alliances.

law and

to norms for

[Kegley and

organization.

appropriate

Wittkopf 2011, p.

[Kegley and

behavior.

47]

Wittkopf 2011, p.

[Kegley and

47]

Wittkopf 2011, p. 47]

Central concepts

military security,

Anarchy, self-

Collective

Ideas, images,

help, national

security,

shared

interest, relative

reciprocity,

knowledge,

gains, balance of

international

identities,

power

regimes, complex

discourses, and

[Kegley and

interdependence,

persuasion

Wittkopf 2011, p.

transnational

leading to new

47]

relations

understandings

[Kegley and

and normative

Wittkopf 2011, p.

change

47]

[Kegley and Wittkopf 2011, p. 47]