Mainstream (Classical) Theories
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- Idealism
- Realism
- Neorealism (Structural Realism)
- Liberalism
- Neoliberal Institutionalism
1. Pre–World War I (Before 1914)
Not formal IR theory yet — but foundations were laid through history, law, and political philosophy.
- Classical Thinkers:
- Thucydides, Niccolò Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, Immanuel Kant
- Focus: War, peace, statecraft, morality in politics
- Contribution: Intellectual roots for Realism, Liberalism, Cosmopolitanism
2. Interwar Period (1919–1939)
Birth of IR as an academic discipline – mainly in the West.
- Idealism / Liberal Internationalism
- Response to World War I
- Belief in peace through institutions (League of Nations), law, and diplomacy
- Key Figures: Woodrow Wilson, Norman Angell
- Themes: Peace, cooperation, collective security
3. Post–World War II / Cold War Period (1945–1991)
Theories begin to solidify into paradigms.
a. Realism (Dominant Post-WWII)
- Key Thinkers: Hans Morgenthau (Classical), Kenneth Waltz (Neorealism)
- Focus: Power politics, national interest, anarchy
- Context: Cold War tensions (USA vs USSR), nuclear arms race
b. Neoliberal Institutionalism (1970s–1980s)
- Key Thinkers: Robert Keohane, Joseph Nye
- Focus: Cooperation possible under anarchy; role of international institutions
- Context: Interdependence and rise of organizations like the UN, WTO
c. Marxism / Dependency Theory
- Key Thinkers: Vladimir Lenin, Immanuel Wallerstein (World-Systems Theory)
- Focus: Economic exploitation, core–periphery dynamics
- Context: Post-colonial struggles, Latin American dependency debates
4. Post–Cold War Period (1990s–2000s)
New thinking emerges with the end of bipolarity.
a. Constructivism
- Key Thinker: Alexander Wendt
- Famous Quote: “Anarchy is what states make of it.”
- Focus: Ideas, identity, norms, social construction of reality
b. Post-Structuralism / Postmodernism
- Key Thinkers: Michel Foucault, Richard Ashley
- Focus: Power in language, critique of grand narratives
c. English School (International Society)
- Key Thinkers: Hedley Bull, Martin Wight
- Focus: Balance between anarchy and society; norms and diplomacy
5. 2000s–Present (21st Century)
IR diversifies to address new global challenges.
a. Feminist IR Theory
- Focus: Gender roles, war’s impact on women, masculinities in diplomacy
🌱 b. Green Theory / Environmental IR
- Focus: Climate change, ecological security, environmental justice
🕊️ c. Peace and Conflict Studies
- Focus: Non-violent conflict resolution, peacebuilding
d. Securitization Theory (Copenhagen School)
- Focus: How issues (like migration or climate) are turned into security threats
e. Ontological Security Theory
- Focus: How states seek identity and emotional security, not just physical
f. Postcolonial & Decolonial Theories
- Focus: Critique of Eurocentrism, voices from the Global South
g. Queer IR Theory
- Focus: Identity, sexuality, and norm disruption in global politics
💻 h. IR and Technology / Posthumanism
- Focus: Cybersecurity, AI, drones, digital diplomacy, space politics
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