International Relations Theories Assignment 2
Abstract
Throughout our world we have many differing governments and they have all their own
respective ways of thinking and policy practices. While these countries all have their own set of
regulations and policies, they all interact with one another to form what we call international
relations. There are many different theories that attempt to explain the different ways in why a
country may behave the specific way that it does. So today we will take a look at what makes a
theory, and what different theories are followed by different nations and do these theories allow
for them to apply them directly into policymaking. We will take a deeper dive into theories such
as realism, liberalism, and constructivism. From those original three theories many smaller
subset theories are also created and we will look at those as well. It is important to be able to
distinguish can any of these theories stand alone as a proper rationale for decision making or if
they all need to correlate with one another to form a proper government. This understanding of
theories and how they affect policy will allow us to understand how nations can interact with one
another and keep the peace and also how different systems such as multipolar and bipolar come
into existence.
International Relations Theories Assignment 3
The first thing to understand when it comes to international relation theory is first and
foremost what is a theory? “A theory is a set of propositions that combine to explain phenomena
by specifying the relationships among several concepts. It is a story of “why” a relationship exist
between those concepts.” (Mingst & McKibben, 2022) Theories are created in international
relations in the same way they are used in our everyday life as a meaning to determine why
someone or something might behave the way that it does. The important thing to remember with
theories is that while they can explain things, or help us to understand things, that does not
automatically them factual or the case for every situation. It is important to note that theory does
not equate directly to actual policy. There are many different theories and while one can have a
major impact on real world events, I do not think it is as cut and dry as oh I believe in this theory
so that means I have to do X, x being whatever event in the sense of international behavior. The
most important thing to note is the major theories of international relations. When there is an
understanding of theory then we can turn to historical events and determine if these events were
indeed brought out by a specific theory or way of thinking.
The biggest point that not all theories are created equal even when they share some
similar beliefs is that of liberalist and constructivist. These two theories are both “realist” in
nature but can still have differing philosophies that would cause their actual policy
implementation to be different. Liberalist and constructivist can both believe that the most
important things for each individual state is to protect their own interest and security, but they
may believe in going about it in two different ways. Liberalist may argue that it is important to
show some restraint and that the two states while both wanting to protect their security will want
to do it in a peaceful manner so they can continually coexist. Constructivist however may argue
that their security is paramount and that military warfare may be in order to overtake the other
International Relations Theories Assignment 4
state because it is viewed as a it’s either you or me scenario. While both of those views seem
fairly straight forward a big issue that causes struggle in IR theories is that there is no universal
way to even look at a singular theory. Liberalism and Constructivism are both theories in IR
relations but they do not have one set unified agreed on definition. “Within political theory, the
liberal tradition is broad and routinely divided into several varieties. Freeden (2015, 1) notes that
‘there is no single, unambiguous thing called liberalism’, while Wall (2015, 1) underlines that
‘liberalism resist easy description…covering a swathe of ideas. There is not one, single
liberalism.” (van de Haar, 2017) This is something that we have to be able to both contend and
explain in relation to IR theory is the different versions of liberalism and when each should be
applied.
I believe that the most prominent ideology from international relations that applies to
humans is actually one of the lesser talked about ones and that is radicalism. The primary focus
for radicalism is that of economics and I believe this is the primary motivator for almost all
humans. “Marx based his theory of the evolution of capitalism on economic class conflict: he
believed that the capitalism of nineteenth-century Europe emerged out of the earlier feudal
system.” (Mingst & McKibben, 2022) Capitalism is still currently at the forefront of our country
even now today some can argue that it is more prevalent now than ever. The American Dream is
something that is talked about all the time in our country as immigrants come from all around the
world in search of financial freedom. The other big thing to focus on in the sense of economic
wealth is the fact that even those who are classified as “poor” still operate from a standpoint of
doing what will benefit them most in the economic state. Those from lower classes still stand to
benefit from switching to a job that pays slightly more and allows for financial gains and also the
ability to purchase new age technology and be a part of a huge consumer base that we have now.
International Relations Theories Assignment 5
“This achievement is more remarkable because it is a worthy antidote to much of the
literature which has focused on both the short comings of capitalism in general, and the United
States in particular. Certainly, the use of chattel slavery was a deep stain on the republic--but it
fought an enormous war to prevent its spread and then to end it. While it has a class system and
wealth disparity, the use of technology has vastly, increased the utility of the working class and
poor. It seems that even the poor has a cell phone and internet. The average person, with his air
conditioning, internet, television and car, leaves a life better than many in past history. This is a
remarkable accomplishment that needs to be celebrated.” (Muldoon 2020) This kind of economic
freedom is exactly why I believe that most humans exemplify taking advantage of radicalism.
The ability of the lower social classes to still be able to have access to things that were otherwise
off limits to them before can not be overstated. Let’s take a look at the fact that so many people
base career and job decisions off of the average salary and amount of money can be made. While
this is how most humans make decisions we can not get lost in the pursuit of money and earthly
riches. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some
have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10
ESV) Free market enterprise has led to some people being able to become wildly rich to a point
where some people have more money than they will ever be able to use in a lifetime. There are
people who argue both for and against this way of living. There are some people who believe
that there is no reason for a singular human to have billions and billions and dollars. I personally
believe that I fall in the middle, while I can understand the ideal of one person having more
money than entire cities and small countries, but I also don’t believe in capping an individual
who may have created wealth for themselves through hard work.
International Relations Theories Assignment 6
We have had many different debates that have been in the public eye in regards to
immigration laws and rather or not immigrants should be allowed in this country. Most
immigrants that come over to America come with the dreams of building financial freedom by
having the ability to work and build generational wealth without the constraints of government
oppression. This led to sparked debates about illegal immigrants stealing jobs from current
Americans because they were able to be paid less and “under the table”. This is the best example
of the double-edged sword behind economics being the driving force behind human behavior.
The immigrant benefits from the fact that they can make more money here than they can in their
home country and are able to send money back to their home country. The people hiring the help
in these scenarios are using economical practices by taking advantage of “cheap” labor in an
effort to cut cost even if it is illegal and could later get them in troublesome situations. It just
goes to show that people value the money more than almost anything in the world.
Todays United States government, is designed strategically around the idea of
checks and balances. The reason for this is as a country we try not to go into a situation where
any one state or authoritative figure has more power than someone else. It also helps us to make
sure as a country we are not in a super vulnerable state. “Because of this constant struggle for
power, realists argue that states are concerned with relative gains.” (Mingst & Mckibben,2022)
This is a big part of what applies to our government simply because with relative gains it
compares how much a state gains over another state. In today’s society this is big for
governments because when you have a gain that also weakens another state, it makes them more
susceptible for an attack and its strengths your ability to fight off someone else and also makes
other countries fearful of you. Realists consistently are vying to make sure they have power, that
is the most important aspect for them is having the highest sense of power amongst those who
International Relations Theories Assignment 7
are also in battle with them. Realists are consistently looking for different ways to build more
power for themselves in an effort to make sure they are always prepared for whatever.
“In this struggle for power, one focus of many realists is the idea of managing
power through “balancing”. This can take two forms: internal or external. Internal balancing
refers to a state’s building up its own military resources and capabilities in order to be able to
stand against more powerful states. External balancing refers to allying with other states to
offset the power of more powerful states.” (Mingst &Mckibben 2022) This is shown by the
United States propensity to form allies with different countries throughout the middle east. The
US often times will align themselves with different countries that can help assist them in some
way, rather that is access to materials needed, military forces, or in some cases using other
countries to help set up military bases in other regions of the world.
The “more perfect union” of 1787 was born out of a liberalist view of needing to remain
neutral in foreign affairs. It was important to those who were early establishers of American
government that America was not some pawn in a more major war. The Dutch crisis of 1787 was
essentially the kicking off of this ideology. The US being an outside looker of the crisis that was
taking place was able to see the genesis of the debate that caused the drafting of our new
constitution. “The crisis that caught Heath's attention was a culmination of the struggle between
the French-backed, republican Patriots and the Prussian and British-backed semi-royalist
Orangists. Prussian intervention in September 1787 crushed the Patriot movement. A broader
European war was averted when France failed to come to the aid of the Patriots. Heath was not
alone in his interest in the Dutch crisis. By the fall of 1787 it became a frequent subject of public
and private conversation. That discussion was intimately connected with the main topic that fall,
the new Constitution.” (Smith 2020) This exact debacle is what the constitution aimed to avoid
International Relations Theories Assignment 8
and that is why you have to consider the liberalistic style approach of each state working together
in cooperation versus worrying about themselves and gaining power. You look at the way that
everything is structured now and this still stands, You look at how voting works and the
democracy that we have now and it is just a constant reminder of how we are liberal with our
approach of trying not to let one state outshine another.
International Relations Theories Assignment 9
References
van de Haar, E. (2017). Fostering Liberty in international relations theory: The case of Ayn Rand.
International Politics, 56(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41311-017-0118-9
Mingst, K. A., & McKibben, H. E. (2022a). Essentials of International Relations (Ninth). W. W.
Norton & Company.
Muldoon, J. (2020, Spring). Capitalism in America: A History. Relations Industrielles/Industrial
Relations, 75(2), 408+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A637693373/GBIB?
u=vic_liberty&sid=summon&xid=7f83693d
The Holy Bible English Standard Version
Smith, R. W. (2020). The Dutch Crisis of 1787, American Foreign Policy, and the
Constitution.Journal of the Early Republic,40(2), 267-295.
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-
journals/dutch-crisis-1787-american-foreign-policy/docview/2443908766/se-2
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