Key International Relations Theories: Liberalism and Marxism

Liberalism: A Historical Alternative to Realism

Liberalism: Liberal idealism stands as a main historical alternative to realism. The first debate between realism and idealism occurred in the 1920s–30s. Main theorists include Immanuel Kant, J.S. Mill, Adam Smith, and John Locke.

Rejection of Realist Claims

Liberals reject realist claims of an immutable and anarchic international system (IR), arguing such claims lack empirical evidence. The role of three Kantian constraints on state sovereignty includes:

• Democratic rule
• Transnational and international trade
• International organization

Similarities and Upgrades from Realism

Commonalities with realism involve the adoption of positivist ontology, epistemology, and methodology. Theoretical upgrades from realism include offering explanatory, critical, and normative theory.

Four Main Streams of Modern IR Liberalism

1. Classical or Sociological Liberalism
2. Republican and Democratic Peace Theory
3. Liberal Institutionalism
4. Neoconservatism and Democratic Transformation of IR

Differences from Realism

Similarities with realism include viewing the international system as anarchic and states as the main actors. However, differences are significant:

• States are not the only actors; there is a variety of non-state actors (individuals, IGOs, NGOs, pressure groups).
• States are not all equal.
• Emphasis is placed on domestic forms of government and interdependence between domestic and international politics.
• Foreign policy is seen as a function of domestic dynamics; state policy reflects individual preferences rather than purely systemic pressures.
• Individuals are rational, cost-benefit actors and cannot be regarded as ‘black boxes’.

The link between foreign and domestic policy suggests conflict is no longer a natural condition in IR. Security is not limited, and IR is not a zero-sum game; cooperation can be mutual and collective. This leads to concepts like the prisoner's dilemma and a focus on international cooperation over conflict, emphasizing collective security. Liberals claim objectivity through empirical analysis, using both inductive and deductive approaches.

Marxism: Structure and Conflict

Marxism employs both deductive and inductive reasoning, adopting a scientific approach with positivist epistemology. Historical developments influencing this theory include the consolidation of the Soviet bloc and decolonization.

Focus on Economic Structure

Marxism emphasizes social process over material state interest. Capitalism is deemed necessary for socialism. Belief in an objective reality leads to a focus on the structure of economic production rather than the international system itself.

Key Marxist Tenets

• The structure of economic production is the independent variable.
• There is interdependence between politics and economics.
• Actors, including states, are the dependent variable.
• Conflict is caused by the intrinsic state of capitalism, not anarchy or autocracy.
• The capitalist system is expansive, constantly searching for new profit and markets.

Marxism offers explanatory, normative, and critical contributions to IR. Conflict is not confined to states; it occurs between classes. The periphery is exploited by the core. There are two types of conflict identified: conflicts between states and conflicts between classes.