Conceptual Approaches to International Relations

Concept	Realism	Liberalism	Marxism
Variants on the Theory	Neorealism, Structural Realism, Mercantilism (in IPE)	Neoliberalism, Idealism, Neoinstitutionalism	NeoMarxism, Dependencia Theory, World-System Theory
Basic Premise of the Theory	International relations are dominated by states who act in their self-interest	International relations benefit from cooperation among multiple actors	International relations are structured and dictated by classes struggling for economic control
Influential Philosophers	Thomas Hobbes, Hans Morganthau	Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Woodrow Wilson	Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels, V.I. Lenin
Basic Tenets	1) States are the primary actors 2) States are unitary, rational actors 3) Relations are zero-sum 4) Relations are power struggles 5) National interest drives relations	1) Multiple actors matter 2) Relations can be positive sum 3) Relations are based on more than just power struggles 4) Zero-sum relations benefit the wealthy	1) Relations are system based, zero-sum where the rich oppress the poor 2) Relations are based on class struggle 3) Capitalism is the primary mode of production 4) Relations are driven by economic factors 5) States and international organizations are tools of the oppressor
Primary Actor(s)	Self-interested states	States, IGOs, NGOs, MNCs	Owners of capital
Primary Motivation for Relations	Self-help in chaotic system	Cooperative, collaborative	Exploitative
View on Human Nature	Pessimistic	Optimistic	Pessimistic
View on the International System	States in chaotic, competitive system	Cooperation is beneficial to the greatest number of people	System structure perpetuates rich/poor disparities
Ultimate Goal in Relations	Stability and self-preservation	Cooperation for mutual benefit	Amass more wealth (for wealthy) or revolution (for poor)