What is theory? What is IR?  What is theory Etymology Definition: A supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained The Oxford Dictionary of English (2nd edition revised) The Oxford Dictionary of English (2nd edition revised) A theory is an account of the world which goes beyond what we can see and measure. It embraces a set of interrelated definitions and relationships that organizes our concepts of and understanding of the empirical world in a systematic way A Dictionary of Sociology A Dictionary of Sociology In science, a way of looking at a field that is intended to have explanatory and predictive implications The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy A set of hypotheses or propositions, logically or mathematically linked, which is offered as an explanation in general terms for a wide variety of connected phenomena The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science and Medicine The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science and Medicine

Thinking theory thoroughly James Rosenau  Df. Capacity to think theoretically:’the inclination to perceive and assess the course of events as suggestive or expressive of larger forces  Nine principles of creative theorizing. It is: - not about developing clear-cut definitions - to distinction between value theory and empirical theory - to assume an underlying order - to generalize and use abstractions - to sacrifice detailed descriptions for broad observations - to be tolerant of ambiguity, concerned about probabilities and distrustful of absolutes - to be playful about international phenomena - to be puzzled by international phenomena - to constantly be ready to be proven wrong

What is International Relations  The ‘terminological’ issue: international relations/ international politics/ world politics - The kind of interactions and processes that are studied and explained (high/ low policy- politics thought of in broad terms) - Actors: national governments, international organizations, transnational and transgovernmental actors