Chapter 2: Theories of International Relations & Zombies

2.1: Case Study- Zombies, Theories, and “World War Z”

Before we look at different IR theories we have to pause for a moment and answer the truly important question of this chapter: What is a zombie? A zombie is typically depicted as a reanimated corpse or infected human, mindlessly driven by a primal urge—usually to consume human flesh. In pop culture, zombies are often slow-moving but relentless, embodying both our fears of death and our anxieties about losing control. But zombies are rarely just monsters; they are powerful metaphors. They often symbolize mass consumerism, where society mindlessly follows trends without question, or reflect fears of societal collapse, representing what could happen if order and structure break down. Sometimes zombies stand for disease and contagion, embodying our dread of outbreaks that turn loved ones into threats. Through these symbols, zombies provide a way to examine our deeper fears, but pop culture can also shape our view of real-world events in problematic ways. By framing crises or conflicts as zombie-like threats, we may oversimplify complex situations or dehumanize others, leading to misunderstandings and reinforcing negative stereotypes about certain groups or global issues. Take a listen to this podcast of the article “Metaphor of the Living Dead” by political scientist Daniel Drezner to consider the implications of using zombies in pop culture.

PODCAST: “Metaphor of the Living Dead” by political scientist Daniel Drezner (INSERT CITATION HERE)

In this chapter, we will use the film World War Z to better understand theories of international relations. In World War Z, we follow Gerry Lane, a former UN investigator, as he races against time to stop a global zombie pandemic. The outbreak spreads like wildfire, threatening the survival of humanity. We see as Lane travels across the world—from South Korea to Israel and beyond—searching for the origins of the virus and a way to stop it. Along the way, we see governments respond in different ways, with some building defenses and others collapsing under the pressure. Eventually, Lane discovers a method to make humans invisible to zombies, offering hope in the face of chaos and destruction. Watch the opening scene from World War Z to get a better sense of just how a zombie outbreak might start!

Now, imagine using a fictional event like a zombie apocalypse to delve into how different international relations (IR) theories might respond. A crisis of this scale—global, existential, and chaotic—pushes governments, institutions, and societies to their breaking points. It forces you to think about how states would prioritize their actions and interact with one another under extreme stress. Would states isolate themselves and focus solely on their own survival, or would they collaborate to find a solution? This is where IR theories come into play. Each theory—realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, and feminism—offers a unique lens for interpreting state behavior, global dynamics, and the power structures that shape international responses. But what really is a “theory” and how do they function in IR research?

When people hear the word “theory,” they often think it means a simple guess or speculation. In everyday conversation, someone might say, “I have a theory about who ate the last slice of pizza,” when what they really mean is a hypothesis—a possible explanation that hasn’t been fully tested. This misunderstanding can lead to confusion, especially when discussing scientific theories, which are well-researched explanations supported by evidence. For example, in the real world, the germ theory of disease isn’t just a guess; it’s a thoroughly tested and widely accepted explanation of how illnesses spread through microscopic organisms. In the world of zombies, someone might say, “I have a theory that zombies only attack humans because they miss social interaction,” but without evidence, that’s really just a fun hypothesis rather than a true scientific theory.

In political science, theories serve an essential purpose: they help us make sense of complex patterns in global politics and explain why states behave the way they do. Theories provide a framework for analyzing past events, understanding current affairs, and even predicting future political behavior. For example, democratic peace theory suggests that democracies are less likely to go to war with one another because of shared norms and institutional constraints. This theory isn’t just a random idea—it’s built on extensive research and historical evidence. In a zombie scenario, an international relations theory could help explain how governments might react to an outbreak. A realist theory, for instance, would predict that states prioritize their own survival, building walls and stockpiling resources rather than working together. In both real and fictional crises, political theories give us the tools to understand and analyze complex global interactions.

By exploring how states might respond to zombies, you can begin to evaluate the key principles and assumptions underlying each theory. For instance, realism might highlight military survival and the inevitable competition between states for scarce resources like vaccines or safe zones. Liberalism, on the other hand, could emphasize the potential for international institutions and alliances to coordinate a collective response. Constructivism would encourage us to examine how states frame the zombie threat—whether as an enemy to be eradicated or a humanitarian crisis requiring solidarity—while Marxism would focus on how global capitalism and class dynamics determine which populations are most vulnerable. Feminism would urge us to look beyond state-level responses to consider how marginalized groups, particularly women, experience the crisis and contribute to its resolution. Fictional events like these are invaluable because they stress-test these theories, offering a hands-on way to compare and contrast how they interpret state behavior, power dynamics, and global interactions during a catastrophe.

By using the zombie apocalypse as a case study, you now have a unique opportunity to engage with international relations theories in a creative and critical way. Imagining states, institutions, and societies facing an existential threat allows you to explore how these theories function under pressure and assess their strengths and limitations. This exercise not only helps you think critically about global politics but also equips you with a better understanding of how states interact in times of crisis. Whether the crisis is fictional—like a zombie apocalypse—or real, such as climate change or pandemics, these theories provide essential tools for analyzing international relations. And who knows—if zombies ever do show up, at least you’ll be ready to analyze their foreign policy!