Free Essays,College Free Essays,Free College Essays at Anti Essays

Consider the strengths and weaknesses of neorealism, neoliberalism and constructivism as theoretical approaches to the study of international relations.


International Relations (IR) is the study of the relations of the states, and whether those relations are understood primarily in diplomatic, military and strategic terms. The relevant unit is the state not the nation.
As traditional definition, we have: International Relations as the study of states security and war. In addition, as a modern definition we have: International Relations is the study of cross-borders transactions in general.
In the following writing I am going to analyse the different points of the three main theories of IR, Neorealism and Neoliberalism. These are the progeny of Realism and Liberalism, they are more than theories; they are paradigms or conceptual frameworks that define a field of study, limit our conception of reality and define an agenda for research and policymaking. Also in the progression of this essay, I will look at the third most used theory, Constructivism.
Considering the strengths and weaknesses of three different theories, is a dialectical process by itself. For many scholars the weakness of X theory could easily compose strengthens of Y theory and relate with W theory, and vice-versa. A battle of truth, based on empirical perceptions and years of development of ideas related to a complex subject like international relations can not be consummate in an essay of 3000 words, but principals points can be expressed, and the main analyses highlighted, including the strengths and weakness of all tree lines of thought.
As a result of these theories we have on one side the Neorealists, building its theories in two assumptions: that the international system is anarchical, in the sense it lacks a central authority to impose order; and that in such a system states are primarily interested in their own survival. On...