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Third: Theoretical

Approaches to the
Study of IR
 I- Evolution of theoretical inquiry in IR

 II- Main Theoretical Approaches in IR


The Evolution of Theoretical
:Inquiry in IR

 IR as a field of study is relatively new (early


1920’s, after World War I).
 However thinking about IR started a long
time before:
- In Political thought: Plato, Aristotle,
Machiavelli, Roseau , Bentham & others.
- In Diplomatic History & Strategic &
Military studies in the 18th & 19thC &
International Law. But with no attempt
to think theoretically about states
behavior.
 The 2 exceptions: Alfred Mahan (1840 –
1914 : Theory of Naval power) & Sir
Halford Mackinder (1861 – 1947: theory
of Heart Land)
 The influence of Geographic factors on
National Power & IR….(Political
Geography: Geopolitics)
 World War I & the need for theoretical
thinking about IR. Liberalism developed,
followed by Realism, then Neo- Realism &
Neo Liberalism…..
 The development of a new approach doesn’t
mean the end of the former, it only means
that the new one is more appealing to or
more popular among IR scientists.
I Liberalism:
 World War I initiated a revolution in the
study of IR:
- Marxist- Leninism
- National Socialism
- Liberalism.
:Liberalism

 Roots of Liberalism in IR
 Liberal World View
 The Liberal Reform Program
 Limitations of Liberalism
:Roots of Liberalism
 Liberalism/ Idealism: its advocates are
inspired by their interest in ideals.

 Post World War I idealists derived their


world view from Liberal thinkers as
Immanuel Kant, John Stewart Mill, John
Lock, Roseau, & Adam Smith.
 Liberalism emphasizes:
- the impact of ideas on behavior.
- equality & liberty of individuals.
- protecting people from excessive state
regulations.
- ethical principles over the pursuit of
power& institutions over the interests as
forces shaping inter-state relations.
Post World War I Liberal World
:View
 Liberalists share a moralistic & optimistic
image of the world based on the following
beliefs:

- Human nature is good, thus people can


collaborate through ethically inspired
education.
- Bad human behavior (violence) is the
product of evil institutions.
- Wars are not inevitable, & can be
reduced through institutional
arrangements.
- Institutions that make war should be
eliminated.
- States must reform their political
system: self determination &
democratic systems to pacify relations
among states.
:The Liberal Reform Program
Three Groups:
 The first group: creating International
Institutions (collective security rather than
balance of power). The League of Nations.
 The second group: the use of legal
processes (mediation & arbitration) to settle
disputes. The Permanent Court of
International Justice in 1921.
 The third group: called for certain regulations
to reform the International System:
- Disarmament & arms control
- Free trade
- Open Diplomacy
-Termination of alliances
- Self-determination, & democratic
domestic institutions (President Wilson).
:Limitations of Liberalism
With the exception of the League of
Nations nothing was achieved of the
Liberal program.
 With the policies of the Axis Powers,
Liberalism receded.
 Too idealistic & too naïve & couldn’t
predict the eruption of the 2nd World
War & neglected the facts of power
politics.
 This led to the development of a new
perspective (political realism) which
stressed on the importance of studying
real IR & not just what IR should be.

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