Modern Theories of International RelationsThis is a featured page


According to E.H. Carr, international politics is a science in the process of developing. This notion of "science" has been embraced and challenged by many IR scholars. As a result, choice of methodology among the IR theorists (in addition to other focal points) has given rise to numerous moods within the traditional realist and liberal theories. The story does not end there. These divisions gave rise to new paradigms and separate schools of thought that are taken just as seriously by a growing number of people.

In this section we focus on what IR Theories currently look like and what we predict they will look like in the close future. The question ahead still remains the same: What is IR Theory? What relevance has it gained in modern times and what did it lose?

What is meant by "IR Theory"?
See MSIRT pp 4-11 for more detail on this question.
Dictionary definition of theory: "A plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena" (Merriam-Webster).

Theories of international relations seek to explain why events on the international stage unfold as they do. Sometimes theories are used for prediction of future events, with limited success [needs source]. It should be noted that this use for prediction, combined with a capacity to modify and tweak existing theory, separates the utility of IR theory from the traditional scholarly perspective of History that dominated the study of international relations until the 20th century.
Theoretical IR can be carried too far, but it can also shed light on current events, including pirate attacks.


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Keyword tags: constructivism international international relations IR liberalism political science realism theory
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