International Relations Theory: Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism, and Marxism

International Relations Theory

International relations theory explains how the international system functions, focusing on how states act to protect their national interests, which typically include self-preservation, military security, economic prosperity, and influence over others.

Realism in International Relations

Realism

• Realism views states as acting to increase their power to achieve their own goals.
• It assumes people and states are selfish and prioritize their needs over others'.
• Conflict is seen as inevitable and constant, with war being a natural part of human existence.

Key Points of Realism

1. The world is dangerous, and power is the only certainty, with military power being the most reliable form.
2. A state's main goal is self-preservation, which requires seeking and protecting power.
3. The international system pushes nations toward war and the use of military force.
4. Leaders should not let moral concerns influence foreign policy.
5. International organizations and laws are powerless unless accepted by nations.

Realism, as we know it today, emerged after World War II and emphasizes the inevitability of conflict due to the constant struggle for power.

Liberalism in International Relations

Liberalism emerged in the 1970s as a critique of realism, driven by globalization, advancements in communication technology, and increased international trade. It argues that states can no longer rely solely on power politics.

Key Points of Liberalism

1. While the world is dangerous, the costs of using military power often exceed the benefits, making international cooperation essential.
2. Military power is not the only form of influence; economic power is often more effective.
3. States have different primary interests, which can coexist.
4. International rules and organizations can promote cooperation and prosperity.

Liberalism assumes that war and conflict can be resolved through cooperation and collective action. Its advocates believe human beings are inherently good and that peace and harmony between nations are both achievable and desirable.

Other Theories of International Relations

Constructivism

• Developed in the 1990s, it views states' behavior as influenced by their environment, including social norms, identities, and the attitudes of decision-makers.
• A leader's worldview or societal changes can significantly alter a state's actions.
• Emphasizes the role of values and shared interests in international relations.
• Interactions occur between people (e.g., politicians and diplomats), not directly between states.

Marxism

• Based on the ideas of Karl Marx, it focuses on economic divisions within society: the bourgeoisie (middle class) and the proletariat (working class).
• Highlights the unequal distribution of wealth and power as central to international relations.
• Prioritizes class struggles and economic issues over the role of states.

International Relations in a Globalised World

The Study of International Relations (IR)

International Relations (IR) is about the decisions made in a country that also affect other countries. It asks questions like:

• Who makes these decisions?
• Why are they made?
• How are they made?

Even if something happens far from us, like a war, it can still affect people all over the world. So, IR studies how decisions inside a country influence its relations with other countries. It looks at who decides (government, leaders, individuals) and how these decisions affect other people, cultures, and nations.

Today, all countries are connected and dependent on each other. This is called globalisation, and it has changed the world. Now, problems in one country affect others, and solutions must be found together, not alone.

Global organisations (like international institutions, private companies, and financial groups) are important for solving global problems and building a shared economy and market.

In short, International Relations helps us understand how the world works together.

The Paris Agreement

An example of a global problem is global warming. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges in the world today. For this reason, in 2015, 195 countries signed the Paris Agreement. The goal is to keep the world's temperature increase well below 2℃, and if possible, below 1.5℃.

Countries agreed to:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Give money to fight climate change, especially to help poorer countries.
• Check progress every 5 years (the first check was in 2023).

Each country decides its own targets, depending on what it can do. But rich countries must lead the way and help poorer countries.

Main goal of the agreement

• Unite all countries to fight climate change.
• Support developing (poorer) countries.
• Keep temperature rise below 2℃ compared to before the industrial age.

Final question: Do you think this goal will be reached?

Globalisation and Multinational Corporation

Introduction to Globalisation and Corporations

In recent years, the international economy has changed. Now countries and companies work together. This is possible thanks to technology, which makes it easier to share goods and information. The world is becoming smaller and multinational companies are very important.

Thomas Friedman, a famous journalist, said that multinational companies are the main reason for globalisation.

The Globalisation of McDonald's

Do you like McDonald's? Why is it so popular, especially among teenagers?

The McDonald's logo (the golden arches) is one of the most famous symbols in the world. Today, McDonald's has restaurants in 119 countries, and they sell 75 burgers every second!

How McDonald's Started

The first McDonald's opened in California in 1940. At first, they sold different foods, but soon they focused on hamburgers because they sold best. The McDonald brothers created a small chain of eight restaurants with fast self-service.

In 1954, Ray Kroc, a milkshake machine seller, wanted to help them expand using franchising (letting other people open McDonald's under the same brand). The brothers were unsure, but Kroc pushed forward. In 1955, he opened the first franchised McDonald's in Illinois and created McDonald's Corporation, starting its global growth.

How McDonald's Grew

At first, growth was slow, and Kroc didn't always agree with the brothers. By 1958, there were only 34 restaurants, but the number tripled in one year because Kroc worked hard to grow the company.

In 1961, Kroc bought the company from the brothers for $2.7 million.

He introduced the famous golden arches logo and focused on quality and uniformity - every burger had to taste the same everywhere.

McDonald's became a symbol of globalisation, but also part of debates about health and obesity.

Today, McDonald's is a global giant:

• 70 million customers served every day (more than the UK population).
• 1.7 million employees in 35,000 restaurants (second biggest employer after Walmart).
• £16 billion revenue, making McDonald's richer than many countries (the 90th largest economy in the world).
• It's said that 1 in 8 Americans has worked at McDonald's at some point.

In short, McDonald's shows how a company can grow and become a global phenomenon thanks to globalisation.

Consumerism

What is Consumerism?

Consumerism is when people think that buying things makes them happy. In the past, societies focused on working and producing goods, but today they focus on buying and consuming.

Globalisation has spread consumerism all over the world - like McDonald's in many countries. Big companies want people to buy more because they make more money. But buying things only makes people happy for a short time, then they want more.

Pros of consumerism

• More goods and services.
• Better comfort and living standards.
• More jobs and economic growth.

Cons of consumerism

• People become materialistic.
• Buy things they don't need and get into debt.
• Harms the environment.

Consumerism and Children (UNICEF Study)

UNICEF studied children's happiness in the UK, Spain, and Sweden. They found that British children are less happy because parents work too much and buy toys and expensive things instead of spending time with them.

Problems found in the UK

• Parents buy too much to make up for working long hours.
• Families spend little time together.
• Kids are left alone with TV, computers, and games.
• Poorer children play outside less and stay inside more.

UNICEF's suggestions

• Ban ads for kids under 12.
• Help parents work less and stay home more.
• Protect playgrounds and spaces for kids.

Conclusion: Consumerism affects everyone, including children. Buying things is not enough - what really makes kids happy is time with family.

The Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement signed in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan by 180 countries. Its goal was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change.

Main ideas of the Kyoto Protocol

• Developed countries had to cut emissions by 5.2% below 1990 levels by 2012.
• Each country had to track and report its progress.
• The principle was "common but different responsibilities" - rich countries had to do more because they caused more pollution in the past.

How to reduce emissions

• Limit pollution from big industries.
• Reduce car emissions.
• Use renewable energy (like solar and wind) instead of fossil fuels.

Supporters said it was necessary to stop global warming and protect the planet.

Critics of the Kyoto Protocol

• It asked too much.
• It wasn't enough to solve the problem.
• Some didn't believe humans caused climate change.

Note: The USA, one of the biggest polluters, did not support the Kyoto Protocol.

Conclusion: The Kyoto Protocol was an important step to fight climate change, but not everyone agreed on how to do it.

International Trade in International Relations

International Trade Policies

Each country produces certain goods depending on its resources (like weather or materials). International trade allows countries to buy (import) products they don't produce.

Pros of trade

• More competition and lower prices.
• Access to products not available in the country (e.g., oil, Swiss watches).

Cons of trade

• Dependence on other countries can be risky.
• If prices of essential products (like energy) rise, everything becomes more expensive.

Types of Trade Policies

1. Protectionism

• Protects local producers by limiting foreign goods.
• Tools: tariffs, quotas, subsidies.

Pros of Protectionism

• Helps new industries grow.
• Reduces dependence on other countries.
• Saves sectors in crisis.
• Avoids unfair competition (dumping).

Cons of Protectionism

• Other countries may react with their own limits.
• Fewer foreign resources.
• Higher prices for consumers.
• Weakens the economy long term.

1. Liberalism (Free Trade)

• No trade limits (no tariffs or quotas).
• Government doesn't intervene in the economy.
• Promotes global competition.

Pros of Liberalism

• Lower prices.
• More choices for consumers.
• Better use of world resources.

Cons of Liberalism

• Harder to create new industries.
• No help from the State.
• Risk of resource overuse.

In short, trade has benefits and risks, and countries choose different policies to manage it.

Autarky (Self-Sufficiency)

Autarky is when a country can live without help or trade from other countries.

If a country refuses all trade, it is called a closed economy.

Autarky is not always a choice. Sometimes, it happens because of an embargo - a punishment where other countries stop trading with a country that broke international laws.