Theories of international relations

There are several different classifications of the theories of international relations. Most nevertheless make a distinction between the 'general theory', i.e. the three philosophies that have proposed an explanation of normative, historic and relatively comprehensive international relations - realism, liberalism and the Marxism - and the other theories. This second category is 'partial' theories specific to the various fields of specialization of international relations and critical normative conceptions of general theories.

The first part of this book analyzes general theories of international relations however making a distinction between classical and neo-classical designs of realism, liberalism and Marxism, which is uncommon in textbooks devoted to international relations. Subsequently, it examines two critical normative theories of classical and neo-classical, general theories that are inspired by Postmodernism: constructivism and the communitarian perspective. The main partial theories of international relations are studied in the third and the fourth parts of the book, devoted to foreign States and international economic relations.

Many experts argue that the Greek philosopher Thucydides (471-400 BC) is the first precursor of the realist tradition and the analysis of the internationales4 relationship. His famous book history of the Peloponnesian War, in fact, is not only a chronicle of the war between Athens and Sparta for twenty-eight years, but an analysis of the foundations of the military power and policy of those two States and the causes of their aggressive behavior one towards the other, analysis based on a careful observation of events and interviews with the protagonists. The main conclusion of the investigation is that the war is the result of fear and a change in the balance of power.

The two most often cited as founding philosophers of realism remain Italian Nicolas Machiavelli (1469-1527) and Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) English. Machiavelli is a contemporary of the Renaissance period, marked by the breakdown of order legal and moral of Christendom and the development of the first monarchical nation States who recognize no authority above them, agree to comply with any common rule and which exclusively concerned with the desire to increase their influence, live in a climate of permanent hostility and rivalry. It is the law of the jungle which regulates the Interstate, the strongest imposing its will at the lowest.

“A prince must fight in man and beast. A prince must be a reputation for goodness, mercy, pity, loyalty and justice. It must also have all these good qualities, but remain master of itself to deploy opposites, when this is expedient. In fact, I ask that a prince, and especially a new prince, cannot exercise with impunity all the virtues of the average man because the interest of conservation often requires him to violate the laws of humanity, of loyalty...” (The Prince, Chapter VIII)

Machiavelli designs States as the cold monsters who have neither friends nor enemies, only to defend national interests. This aspirated sovereignty is the noble cause that justifies the use of all means to safeguard and expand the power of a State. But it is also the cause of rivalries and unavoidable and permanent conflict between States, reason for which the international society cannot be as anarchic.

Hobbes

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