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Realism, Liberalism, and Critical Theories
Learning objectives
- Building on the introduction of key terms and concepts that you studied in Chapter One, in this chapter you will learn what many scholars agree are the essential elements of realism and liberalism. These are the two academic perspectives that dominate the study of international relations in the United States.
- Although the Marxist, Constructivist and Feminist lenses are often dismissed as outside the mainstream of academic thinking, all three perspectives have many academic adherents. You will see that these alternative theories offer important insights on international relations.
- You will learn how to look at the levels of analysis through the lenses of these five schools of thought.
Key concepts, terms, and names
- Anarchic system
- Anarchy
- Civil society
- Class
- Classical Realism
- Collective security
- Comparative advantage
- Constructivists
- Cosmopolitan democracy
- Critical theory
- Defensive realism
- Democratic deficit
- Democratic peace thesis
- Economic base
- Empires
- Enlightenment
- Feminist theory
- Free trade
- Functionalism
- Ideational (sources of power)
- Imperialism
- Interdependence
- Intersectionality
- Legitimacy
- Liberal feminism
- Liberal internationalism
- Liberalism
- Liberalism of privilege
- Marxism
- Material (sources of power)
- Multilateralist
- Neoclassical realist
- Neoliberalism
- Offensive realism
- Pluralism
- Power
- Problem-solving theory
- Protectionist
- Radical liberalism
- Rational choice
- Realism
- Relative gains
- Security dilemma
- Self-help
- Sovereignty
- Structural realism, or neo-realism
- Superstructure
- Theory
- Transnational nonstate actors