Reddit mentions of Essential Readings in World Politics (Sixth Edition)

Hi there!

I think it's great that you're pursuing a master in IPE and want to get a better understanding of IR theory given how closely the two interact. Now, I am only an undergraduate so I may stumble here and there while giving you a rundown on International Relations, so others feel free to chime in or correct me where I'm wrong.

The Main Schools of International Relations theory:
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The major schools of thought are Realism, Liberalism, and Idealism/Constructivism. Heres a diagram to give a simple break down of the three.



Theories: | Realism (Classical & Structural) | Liberalism | Idealism (Constructivism)
---|---|----|----
Core Beliefs: | Self-interested states compete for power and security | Spread of democracy, global economic ties, and international organizations will strengthen peace | International politics is shaped by persuasive ideas, collective values, culture, and social identities
Key Actors in IR | States, which behave similarly regardless of their type of government | States, International Institutions, and Commercial Interests | Promoters of new ideas, transnational activist networks, and nongovernmental organizations
Main Instruments | Military power and state diplomacy | International Institutions and global commerce | Ideas and values
Theory's weaknesses | Doesn't account for progress and change in international relations or understanding that legitimacy can be a source of military power | Fails to understand that democratic regimes survive only if they safeguard military power and security; some liberals forget that transitions to democracy are sometimes violent | Does not explain which power structures and social conditions allow for changes in values
Founders & Thinkers | Hans Morgenthau; Kenneth Waltz; John Mearsheimer | Adam Smith; Immanuel Kant; Robert Keohane | Alexander Wendt; John Ruggie; Martha Finnemore
Doers | Otto von Bismarck; Henry Kissinger | Woodrow Wilson; Kofi Annan | Mahatma Gandhi; Osama bin Laden; Antiglobalization movement; Karl Marx
^^Adopted ^^from: ^^Essential ^^Readings ^^In ^^World ^^Politics ^^6th ^^Edition

After understanding these theories, it is important to note that no theory trumps one another. Some theories may provide a great explanation for one particular event, but do a poor job explaining another. I recommend reading Jack Snyder's One World, Rival Theories (Where I got my chart from) and Stephen Walt's One World, Many Theories to acquire a better understanding of this concept.


Next, it is important to understand that we live in an anarchic world, meaning there is no higher power overseeing every actors' decisions. The United Nations is the closest thing to an overseer, but is still limited and does not fully meet the required role. As a result, states are forced to look out for themselves because hypothetically, any ally today could be an enemy tomorrow.


The Levels of Analysis:
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There are three different levels of analysis for International Relations. First, there is an analysis of the individual and the role they play in their collective body. This includes things like cultural identity and human behavior. Second, there is state-level analysis which focuses on nationalism, militaries, industrial complexes, and variance between states' size, ethnic groups, ect.. Lastly, there is system-level analysis which focuses on concepts like balance of power, anarchy, zero-sum, and even how states are grouped and labeled (e.g. The Allies or The Axis of Evil)


Quick List of Other IR Aspects:
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It's past my bedtime, but here's a quick list of miscellaneous things that also contribute to understanding IR.

• State Sovereignty
  
• Power dynamics
  
• Roles of State & Non-state actors
  
• Causes of conflict (deep, intermediate, precipitating)
  
• International Trade (Organizations, Agreements, ect.)
  
• Geography's Role (Terrain, Resources, climate)
  
  
  
  
  As previously stated, if you'd like I can elaborate further on any topic. However, it is late and I must be getting off to bed. Others, feel free to chime in on something or correct me. Nevertheless, I hope you found this helpful.