Chapter 13: The Future of International Relations

International Relations Theories & The Matrix (1999)

Remember that political science gives us tools—called theories—to explain and make sense of complex events in the world, whether they happen in reality or in fictional universes. Theories like realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, and feminism offer different perspectives on power, cooperation, and identity. If we use these theories to analyze The Matrix—a film that explores technology, control, and resistance—they help us answer deeper questions: Why do the machines dominate humanity? How do humans respond? And what does power look like in this world? These questions are central not only to the film’s dystopian vision but also to international relations, where states, systems, and ideologies constantly compete for influence. Just as scholars use these theories to understand wars, alliances, and revolutions, we can apply them to The Matrix to uncover hidden layers of meaning and connect the film’s story to the real-world struggles shaping global politics today.

Realism: Power, Survival, and the Machines’ Domination

A realist approach to The Matrix would focus on power, domination, and the inevitable competition for survival. Realism assumes that the international system is anarchic, meaning there is no higher authority to keep order, so all actors—be they states or machines—pursue their own interests to ensure survival. In the film, the machines act as a dominant power seeking to preserve their supremacy by subjugating humanity and using humans as an energy source. The humans, in turn, are locked in a constant struggle to resist this domination, mirroring the realist idea of a “balance of power.” Neo and the resistance symbolize smaller actors seeking to challenge the hegemonic authority of the machines, much like weaker states forming alliances to counter a stronger adversary. Realists might argue that the machines’ creation of the Matrix—a system of control designed to pacify humans—is simply a rational strategy to maintain stability and order, much like states use coercion, surveillance, and military might to keep populations under control. By this logic, The Matrix becomes a story about survival in an anarchic system where power and domination rule the day. However, this power struggle also highlights the potential for cooperation, which leads us to liberalism.

Liberalism: Morpheus, Neo, and the Power of Cooperation

Liberalism offers a more optimistic perspective, emphasizing the potential for cooperation, progress, and shared interests even in conflict-ridden systems. Liberals would focus on the human resistance movement’s attempts to work together to achieve freedom, arguing that collaboration is essential for overcoming the machines’ control. Morpheus, Trinity, and Neo represent the liberal belief in collective action and leadership as pathways to change. Morpheus’s trust in “the One”—Neo—as a unifying figure highlights the liberal emphasis on institutions and leaders that can bring diverse groups together to achieve common goals. In real-world politics, this is akin to countries forming international organizations like the United Nations to tackle common challenges such as war or climate change. The humans’ fight against the machines also reflects liberal ideas about the power of ideals—like freedom and human dignity—to unite people across differences. However, liberals might criticize the machines for failing to recognize mutual benefits: a world where both humans and AI coexist without one dominating the other. While liberalism focuses on cooperation and progress, constructivism shifts attention to the ideas, beliefs, and perceptions that create social realities—like the Matrix itself.

Constructivism: The Matrix as a Constructed Reality

Constructivism takes us deeper into the world of The Matrix by exploring how reality itself is constructed through ideas, beliefs, and social norms. The central premise of the film—that the world humans perceive is not “real” but a simulation created by the machines—perfectly aligns with constructivist thinking. Constructivists argue that the international system is not an objective structure but is shaped by shared beliefs and perceptions. In The Matrix, the machines use ideology and illusion to convince humans to accept their condition, illustrating how power operates not just through force but also through control of ideas. Morpheus’s famous line—“The Matrix is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth”—reflects this constructivist insight. Neo’s journey of awakening represents the breaking of these socially constructed norms and the realization that humans can reshape their own reality. This aligns with real-world movements where marginalized groups challenge dominant ideologies, such as anti-colonial struggles or civil rights movements that deconstruct long-held systems of oppression. Constructivism reveals that power lies not just in domination but in shaping what people believe is possible or real. This focus on systems of control connects naturally to Marxist theory.

Marxism: Humans as the Machines’ Exploited Workers

From a Marxist perspective, The Matrix can be seen as a critique of capitalist exploitation and class struggle. Marxism views history as a conflict between oppressors and the oppressed, where those who control the means of production dominate those who provide the labor. In The Matrix, humans are reduced to mere “batteries,” exploited as a resource to fuel the machines’ existence. This mirrors the Marxist idea of workers being alienated and exploited under capitalist systems, where their labor benefits the ruling class. The Matrix itself symbolizes a form of “false consciousness,” where the oppressed (humans) are kept unaware of their exploitation by an illusion of comfort and normalcy. Neo and the resistance represent the proletariat—those who awaken to their oppression and organize to overthrow the ruling class (the machines). Marxists might argue that The Matrix is a metaphor for global systems of economic inequality, where wealthy nations or corporations dominate weaker states and exploit their resources for profit. This focus on systems of oppression also overlaps with feminist critiques, which further challenge the power structures at play in the film.

Feminism: Trinity and the Rejection of Gender Norms

Feminist theory broadens the analysis by highlighting how power dynamics intersect with gender and other forms of identity. In The Matrix, the roles of Trinity and other women in the resistance challenge traditional stereotypes of gender roles, offering a more complex view of power and agency. Trinity is not merely a supporting character; she is a skilled fighter, strategist, and Neo’s equal partner in the struggle for liberation. Feminists would argue that her role reflects the importance of including diverse voices in resistance movements, much like real-world feminist movements emphasize the inclusion of marginalized groups in global politics. At the same time, the machines’ domination of humans can be seen as a broader critique of hierarchical systems that devalue individuals based on their perceived utility—similar to how patriarchal systems devalue women’s contributions. Feminists might also focus on the ways the Matrix suppresses individuality, arguing that oppressive systems—whether patriarchal, capitalist, or technological—are interconnected and must be dismantled collectively. In this sense, feminism ties together the themes of resistance, identity, and liberation explored by all the other theories.

By examining The Matrix through the lenses of realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, and feminism, we see how political science theories offer unique but interconnected ways of understanding power, cooperation, identity, and oppression. While realism focuses on the struggle for survival and dominance, liberalism highlights the potential for cooperation and progress. Constructivism reveals how power operates through ideas and perceptions, Marxism critiques systems of exploitation, and feminism challenges us to consider whose voices are being excluded or oppressed. Together, these theories allow us to unpack not only the film’s dystopian world but also the real-world dynamics shaping global politics today. Just as Neo learns to see beyond the illusion of the Matrix, these theories empower us to see the hidden forces shaping our world—and inspire us to imagine a future where justice, freedom, and equality prevail.