History of the discipline of International Relations

  • Think tanks

    1910 - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
    1916 - Brookings Institution
    1920 - Royal Institute of International Affairs
    1958 - International Institute for Strategic Studies
  • First establishment of the discipline

    LIBERALISM - Question: How to avoid war?;
    Movements to preserve peace, that could only be achieved through the balance of power
  • Teaching and research in universities

    1919 - Woodrow Wilson Chair of International Politics (University of Wales, Aberystwyth);
    1923 - International Relations Department (London School of Economics);
    1930 - Montague Burton Chair of International Relations (University of Oxford)
    In the US: Harvard, Chicago, Princeton
  • Practical and institutional measures

    1920 - League of Nations at Geneva;
    1922 - Permanent Court at The Hague
  • Academic journals and professional associations

    International Affairs published by The Chatham House;
    The British Review of International Studies published by The British Institution of Studies Association;
    American International Studies published by American International Studies Association (ISA)
  • Period: to

    First "Great Debate"

    Liberalism vs Realism
    (ontological debate)
  • Second establishment of the discipline

    REALISM - Question: Why states are conflictual?;
    Subject of analysis: power and state-interest;
    Carr, Morgenthau
  • Period: to

    Second "Great Debate"

    Behaviourism vs Traditionalism
    (epistemological debate)
  • Period: to

    Third "Great Debate"

    Neorealism vs Neoliberalism vs Neo-Marxism
    (ontological debate)
  • Period: to

    Fourth "Great Debate"

    constructivism vs rational or positivist approaches (liberalism, realism and marxism)
    (epistemological debate)