The Great Debates in International Relations 1 st Great Debate (20s & 30s) 2 nd Great Debate (50s-80s) 3 rd Great Debate (80s & on)

The 1 st Great Debate Visions of the future

CLASSICAL REALISM Humans are eternally aggressive Conflict is the normal state of the world States are primary actors in the international system Ends justify means

People are inherently good, so conflict can be reduced through social learning Conflict is not the norm, but an aberration NGO’s & other non- state actors play a significant role in the international system CLASSICAL LIBERALISM

MARXISM Focuses on conflict among different economic classes Social revolution promotes greater equality Trees in Fangorn resist perceived efforts to exploit them

The 2 nd Great Debate Method: History vs. Science English School Rational Choice Neo-realism Neo-liberalism Neo-Marxism

English School

Actors “maximize their interests” through cost- benefit analysis

Neo-Realism Inter-state conflict is inevitable because of anarchic structure of international system Key variable is distribution of military power Under anarchy, lack of overarching power or government puts states into a “security dilemma”

Neo-Liberalism Inter-state cooperation is feasible Greater concentration on role of international institutions in constraining behavior and overcoming barriers The more contact states have through trade, investment, tourism, etc., the stronger the reciprocity

Neo-Marxism Inter-state conflict is inevitable because of anarchic structure of international system Key variable is distribution of military power Under anarchy, lack of overarching power or government puts states into a “security dilemma”

Gramscian Dependency World Systems

The 3 rd Great Debate How knowledge is acquired Constructivism Critical Theory Positivism

Constructivists Emphasizes role of socially constructed ideas in shaping International Relations Without a perceived security threat, warlike behavior isn’t considered and the “norm” is peace Constructed worlds can constrain behavior in international politics

Critical Theory Questions rationalist state-centric framework and research agenda Focuses on alternative issues and marginalized populations Argue that normative concerns should be included in International Relations