Chapter 2: Theories of International Relations & Zombies

Key Terms

Anarchy (Constructivist View) – Unlike realism, constructivists view anarchy as a socially constructed concept that can be transformed by changing state identities and interactions.

Balance of Power – A concept where power is distributed among multiple states to prevent any single state from dominating the international system.

Collective Security – A system where states agree to jointly respond to threats or aggression against any one member, as seen in alliances like NATO.

Constructivism – A theory that emphasizes the role of ideas, norms, and identities in shaping state behavior and the international system.

Critical Theory – A broad approach in IR that critiques traditional theories like realism and liberalism, emphasizing issues of inequality, power structures, and emancipation.

Democratic Peace Theory – The idea that democracies are less likely to go to war with each other due to shared norms, values, and institutional constraints.

Dependency Theory – A Marxist theory that suggests wealthy nations exploit poorer ones, creating a global economic system of dependency that hinders development in less industrialized countries.

Feminism– A theory that focuses on how international relations affect women and how gender dynamics influence global politics, security, and power relations.

Gendered Security – The notion that traditional definitions of security focus on state-level threats and often overlook how global issues like war, poverty, and environmental degradation disproportionately affect women.

Hard Power – The use of military force, economic sanctions, or coercion to influence the behavior of other states.

Ideational Power– The ability to shape global outcomes by influencing beliefs, values, and perceptions rather than relying on material strength.

Institutional Norms – Shared expectations about appropriate behavior among states, which can influence international relations (e.g., norms against the use of nuclear weapons).

Institutions– Rules and organizations that structure state behavior and facilitate cooperation in international relations.

Interdependence – A condition where states are economically reliant on each other, reducing the likelihood of conflict because war would disrupt mutually beneficial trade.

Liberalism – An IR theory that emphasizes cooperation, international institutions, and interdependence among states as ways to mitigate conflict.

Marxism – A theory that views international relations primarily through the lens of economic class struggles, focusing on the exploitation of the working class by capitalist powers.

Patriarchy – The idea that politics is shaped by historically male-dominated institutions and that this influences state behavior and power dynamics.

Positive Sum– A situation where all parties can benefit, creating mutual gains rather than competition or conflict.

Realism – An IR theory emphasizing the competitive and conflictual side of international relations, focusing on power, national interest, and state survival in an anarchic system.

Security Dilemma – A situation where one state’s actions to increase its security lead to other states feeling less secure, potentially causing an arms race.

Social Construction– International structures and relationships are shaped by shared ideas, norms, and identities rather than material forces.

Soft Power– The ability to influence others through attraction and persuasion, such as cultural influence or diplomacy, rather than force.