✔ Classical Realism
✔ Idealism
✔ Realism
✔ Neorealism
✔ Liberalism
✔ Neoliberalism
✔ Marxist Perspective
✔ Feminist Perspective
⭐ Grand Comparative Table of Major IR Theories
| Theory | What it Focuses On | View of Human Nature | Main Actors in IR | View of Anarchy | Reason for Conflict / Cooperation | Key Concepts / Ideas | Main Scholars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical Realism | Power, national interest | Humans are selfish & aggressive | States | Anarchy causes insecurity | Conflict is natural; states seek power | Power politics, balance of power | Thucydides, Machiavelli, Morgenthau |
| Idealism | Peace, morality, international law | Humans are good, cooperative | States + institutions | Anarchy can be reduced | Cooperation comes from morality & democracy | League of Nations, collective security | Woodrow Wilson |
| (Modern) Realism | Survival, military power | Self-interest dominates | States | Anarchy = self-help | States compete for power to survive | National interest, security dilemma | Hans Morgenthau |
| Neorealism | Structure of international system | Human nature doesn’t matter | States | Anarchy = system pressure | Conflict due to unequal distribution of power | Polarity (unipolar, bipolar), relative gains | Kenneth Waltz |
| Liberalism | Cooperation, democracy, law | Humans are rational, cooperative | States + NGOs + IGOs + individuals | Anarchy softened by norms | Democracy & trade → peace | Interdependence, democratic peace | Kant, Keohane, Nye |
| Neoliberalism | Institutions, rules, mutual gains | Human nature not central | States + institutions | Anarchy exists but can be managed | Institutions enable cooperation | Absolute gains, regimes, interdependence | Robert Keohane |
| Marxism | Class struggle, capitalism, exploitation | Shaped by class relations | Classes, capitalism, corporations | Anarchy created by capitalist elites | Conflict due to exploitation & imperialism | World-systems theory, dependency | Karl Marx, Lenin, Wallerstein |
| Feminism | Gender, patriarchy, everyday life | Gendered experiences matter | Women, men, marginalized groups | Anarchy is gendered | Conflict arises from patriarchy & male domination | Gendered security, human security | Cynthia Enloe, J. Ann Tickner |
⭐ Key Differences in Simple One-Liners (Super Useful for Exams)
Realist vs Idealist
- Realists: World = conflict, power, survival
- Idealists: World = cooperation, law, morality
Classical Realism vs Modern Realism
- Classical: Conflict due to human nature
- Modern realism: Conflict due to state interests
Realism vs Neorealism
- Realism: Human nature = selfish
- Neorealism: Structure of system = cause of conflict
Liberalism vs Neoliberalism
- Liberalism: Morality, democracy, peace
- Neoliberalism: Institutions, rules, absolute gains
Marxism vs Feminism
- Marxism: Class & capitalism create inequality
- Feminism: Gender & patriarchy create inequality
⭐ How They All See the World (Short Summary)
- Realists (Classical, Modern, Neorealists) → world is dangerous, states seek power.
- Idealists → humans can build peace through law and morality.
- Liberals & Neoliberals → cooperation possible through democracy, trade, & institutions.
- Marxists → world is unequal because capitalism exploits workers.
- Feminists → IR ignores women and gender issues; global politics is shaped by patriarchy.
⭐ Super-Short Comparative Memory Tips (30-second revision)
- Realism = Power
- Neorealism = Structure
- Idealism = Morality & Peace
- Liberalism = Democracy + Trade
- Neoliberalism = Institutions
- Marxism = Capitalism & Class
- Feminism = Gender & Patriarchy