Chapter 2: Theories of International Relations & Zombies

Conclusion: What We Can Learn from a Zombie Apocalypse

By imagining how different international relations theories would respond to a zombie apocalypse, using World War Z as our guide, you’ve seen how each theory interprets state behavior, power structures, and global interactions under extreme pressure. Realism zeroes in on power and survival, focusing on competition and security. Liberalism highlights the potential for cooperation through institutions and shared interests. Constructivism emphasizes how ideas, norms, and identities shape the way states react to crises. Marxism uncovers how economic inequalities persist even in apocalyptic situations, and feminism challenges us to see how global events disproportionately affect women, often overlooked in mainstream responses.

Together, these theories offer a powerful toolkit for understanding how the world might react to major crises—whether facing zombies or real-world global challenges. By using World War Z as a lens, you’ve learned to compare and contrast the fundamental principles of realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, and feminism, and to apply these frameworks to analyze global political dynamics. Now that you’ve seen how different theories hold up in a zombie apocalypse, let loose! You’re now better equipped to understand how they shape our world—even when the threats aren’t undead!