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International Relations emerged as a formal discipline
This was after the First World War. -
Academics began to study IR
The ways in which countries and states relate to one another was analysed when looking for answers to the conflict brought about by WW1. -
Academic institutions introduced programmes of study in field of IR
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First Great Debate
Took place between Idealists and Realists on how to deal with Nazi Germany. -
Subject of IR developed to reflect changing global order
After WW2 IRs developed as US and Soviet Union powers disrupted the long established European centre of influence. -
Second establishment of IR as a discipline
Best known as Modern Realism. Edward Hallett Carr was a representative for Modern Realism as traditional historical methods were rejected. -
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Second Great Debate
Neo-Realists adopted a scientific approach to IR, critiquing traditional historical ‘modern’ Realism such as “human nature”. -
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Inter-Paradigm debate (Third Great Debate)
Debate between Realist, Liberal and Marxist approaches to IR theory. Has also been previously recognised as the “Third Great Debate”. -
Kenneth Waltz's theory of International Politics
Waltz's theory interprets Neo-Realism with IR, taking a more scientific stance. -
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Post-structuralism theories of IR developed from postmodernist studies
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Fourth Great Debate
Denied traditional concepts of IR with the emergence of new modern theories, known as positivism vs. post-positivism, as traditional and modern approaches towards science are discussed. -
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Post Cold War generation
Realism divided into 2 – offensive and defensive. Leading exponent during this period was John Mearsheimer as he proposed the theory of offensive Realism through “The Tragedy of Great Power Politics”.