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Establishment of the first University department
In Wales, Aberystwyth in 1919 the discipline of IR was born. -
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First establishment of IR
Discipline born in an era where international politics needed to reformed and was believed to be achievable. An era of liberal optimism led by President Woodrow Wilson. Emphasis put on outlawing war, disarmament, international law, and international organizations as solutions to the ailments of world politics. -
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Second establishment of IR
The Great Depression and outbreak of WWII lead to severe criticisms of the liberal political thought. Realism of Edward Carr critiqued liberal thought leading to the first "Great Debate" in IR. The first debate was an ontological debate, concerning the subject matter of the discipline. Liberals wanted to find a way to avoid war while realists wanted to understand power politics as it is. -
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The second "Great Debate."
Epistemological debate between 'behavioralism' and 'traditionalism'. How should we acquire knowledge in international relations through scientific or traditional methods? Is the study of international politics susceptible to scientific inquiry or not? Rapid development of IR, new academic departments and centers established throughout Europe and other parts of the world. -
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The third "Great Debate."
Neorealism and neoliberalism engaged in dialogue but also defend themselves against a variety of critical theories. Emergence of neo-Marxism. Ontological debate concerning the subject matter of the discipline. Rise of the study of international interdependence. -
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The fourth "Great Debate."
With the end of the Cold War new theories and ideas emerged in IR challenging the established traditions. Constructivism and its counterparts, the rational or positivist approaches (liberalism, realist, Marxist). Constructivism as a post-positivist approach offers another way of studying the international realm.
