Chapter 12: Globalism, Nationalism, and Marginalized Communities

International Relations Theories and Children of Men 

Political science offers multiple lenses through which we can analyze global events, power struggles, and societal structures. Theories like realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, and feminism help scholars make sense of the world, offering different explanations for why states behave the way they do and how societies evolve. These frameworks are not just abstract academic exercises—they shape how policymakers craft laws, respond to crises, and justify decisions. A great way to see these theories in action is through film, and Children of Men (2006) provides a particularly rich case study. The film, set in a dystopian near-future where humanity faces extinction due to mass infertility, presents a world consumed by authoritarianism, xenophobia, and social breakdown. Britain, one of the last functioning states, has sealed itself off, violently suppressing refugees and dissenters in an effort to maintain order. By applying different political theories to the events of Children of Men, we can better understand how power, ideology, and social structures shape the world—both in fiction and in reality.

Realism: The World as a Struggle for Survival

Realism is one of the oldest and most dominant theories in international relations, emphasizing power, self-interest, and survival in an anarchic world. Realists argue that states act primarily to ensure their own security, often at the expense of morality or cooperation. Children of Men reflects a deeply realist world, where Britain prioritizes its survival above all else. Faced with global infertility and societal collapse, the government implements harsh, authoritarian policies, closing its borders and militarizing against perceived threats, particularly refugees. In a realist framework, this response is predictable—when states feel threatened, they prioritize national security over humanitarian concerns. This mirrors real-world examples, such as Fortress Europe, where European nations have increasingly restricted immigration to protect national stability, or the U.S. decision to detain migrants at the southern border. The film shows that in a realist world, morality and human rights take a backseat to power and order. But realism struggles to explain moments of resistance and cooperation within the film, which is where other theories come into play.

Liberalism: The Hope for Cooperation and Human Rights

Liberalism offers a more optimistic view of international relations, emphasizing cooperation, democracy, and institutions as pathways to peace and stability. While Children of Men is dominated by realist themes, there are also glimpses of liberalism, particularly in the resistance movement that seeks to protect Kee and her unborn child. The underground group known as “The Fish” represents a belief in collective action, human rights, and the potential for a better future—ideas central to liberalism. In the real world, liberalism underpins institutions like the United Nations, which promotes international cooperation and human rights protections. For example, the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) works to assist displaced populations, much like the small resistance network in the film that tries to help Kee escape persecution. However, Children of Men also serves as a critique of liberalism’s limitations. Institutions and international organizations are largely absent, suggesting that in times of extreme crisis, liberal ideals may struggle to survive against brute force. The failure of global governance in the film sets the stage for constructivism, which asks how ideas and social structures shape political realities.

Constructivism: The Power of Ideas and Identity

Constructivism challenges the assumptions of realism and liberalism by arguing that international politics are shaped not just by material power but also by ideas, beliefs, and identities. Children of Men is a striking example of how societal narratives shape political behavior. The British government, for instance, has created an identity based on exclusion and fear, painting refugees as dangerous outsiders who threaten national security. This constructed identity justifies the state’s violent policies and militarized border controls. In reality, similar narratives are used by governments to rally nationalist sentiment, such as the Brexit movement’s emphasis on taking back control of British borders or former U.S. President Donald Trump’s portrayal of migrants as a security threat. Constructivism also helps explain the resistance movement in the film—Kee’s pregnancy becomes a symbol of hope, not because of material power but because of the meaning people attach to it. This theory reminds us that political realities are not fixed; they are shaped by the collective beliefs of societies. However, constructivism alone doesn’t fully explain the deep economic inequalities and class struggles in Children of Men, which is where Marxism comes in.

Marxism: Class Struggle and Exploitation

Marxism focuses on class conflict, economic inequality, and the ways in which capitalism perpetuates oppression. In Children of Men, the divide between the wealthy elite and the struggling masses is stark. The ruling class enjoys relative safety, while refugees and the working class suffer in violent, oppressive conditions. The state functions as an enforcer of elite power, using military force to suppress the lower classes and maintain order. This mirrors real-world class struggles, such as the exploitation of migrant labor in Gulf countries, where low-wage workers live in poor conditions while the ruling class enjoys immense wealth. The film also critiques how capitalist societies treat people as disposable—refugees and the poor are cast aside, much like how unskilled laborers in a capitalist economy are often seen as expendable. From a Marxist perspective, the crisis in Children of Men is not just about infertility; it is about a failing economic system that prioritizes profit and power over human well-being. While Marxism focuses on class struggle, it often overlooks how other identities—such as gender—shape political and social dynamics, which is where feminism provides additional insight.

Feminism: Gender, Power, and Reproduction

Feminist theory in political science highlights the ways in which gender and power intersect, particularly in issues of security, representation, and bodily autonomy. Children of Men is fundamentally a story about reproduction, making it a powerful case study for feminist analysis. In a world where infertility has destabilized society, Kee’s pregnancy becomes a symbol of both hope and control. As a young, Black, refugee woman, Kee represents multiple layers of marginalization—her body becomes a battleground for competing political interests. Historically, women’s reproductive rights have been sites of political control, from China’s former one-child policy to contemporary debates over abortion rights in the United States. Feminist theory would also highlight how the absence of children in the film reflects broader anxieties about declining birth rates in Western societies, fears that have fueled nationalist and anti-immigration rhetoric. By centering Kee’s pregnancy, the film challenges patriarchal structures, suggesting that true hope for the future lies in empowering marginalized women rather than controlling them. Feminism thus adds a crucial layer of analysis, emphasizing the need to examine power beyond just state politics and economic structures.

Section Conclusion

Children of Men provides a rich, multi-layered narrative that can be analyzed through multiple political theories. Realism explains Britain’s self-interested, survivalist approach, while liberalism highlights the film’s moments of resistance and cooperation. Constructivism reveals how political identities are socially constructed, shaping state behavior, while Marxism exposes the deep economic inequalities that fuel oppression. Finally, feminism draws attention to the film’s themes of gender, reproduction, and power. By applying these different theoretical lenses, we can see that no single perspective fully explains the complexities of the film—or of real-world politics. Instead, each theory offers valuable insights, helping us understand how power, identity, and ideology shape global events. As future political scientists, students must learn to think critically and engage with multiple perspectives, recognizing that the world is not just a battleground of states but a constantly evolving web of ideas, structures, and human struggles.