International Relations

By Zolotco Ana

  • The first great debate

    All together there are 4 different debates that we talked about. The first one is between two theoretical schools, more specifically liberalism and realism. It was born in 1919 alind with the establishment of a University in Wales (Aberystwyth). After WW1 the main question was how the war can be avoided. Liberals were for diplomacy and the balance of power. Woodrow Wilson can be linked to liberalism. As for the realism, Edward Hallett Carr was a key figure. It gained its identity in 1950-1960s.

  • The second great debate

    It is an epistemological debate that that dates back to the years of 1950s and 1960s. This debate is between the behaviourism and traditionalism. The main question is what is the best way to get knowledge in connection with International Relations. This debate (in terms of methods) is between scientific and traditional. In 1960s and 1970s there was a development in studying International Relations. New departments opened in many new locations. Morgenthau’s Framework can be linked to this debate.

  • The third great debate

    To the third debate 3 approach a can be linked. It is the neorealism, neoliberalism and the neo-Marxism. It is an ontological debate. The question is examining what should we focus in order to understand International Relations. This debate has more names: neo-neo debate and interparadigm debate. To neo-realism Kenneth N. Waltz can be linked (his theory is the most prominent). Neo-liberals: Robert O. Keohane, John Burton, Ernst Haas. Neo-Marcism: North vs Sourh, Robert Cox, Immanuel Wallerstein.

  • The fourth great debate

    In this debate substantial and methodological issues both had to be adressed. It dates back to the end of Cold War. This is a post-positivist approach and the debate is an epistemological one. It examines how International Relations can be studied (methods, most adequate tools of analysis). Here we have positivist approach + post-positivist. It also examines whether theories are really social because this can be debated. Alexander Wendt is the most important figure of constructivist (book-1999).