Lecture 1 - Jan. 7th, 2019
Introduction
POLI 243: International Politics of Economic Relations
Theories
Theories are simplifications of reality; they are not trying to capture everything, rather just the
important parts. In the same way that maps help us navigate the world, theories help us
understand cause and effect.
Different theories emphasize different parts of the whole story. Theories can be good for
addressing some questions and not others; think of them as tools.
We are not trying to figure out which theory is the best, but rather what are the trade-offs that
come with one theory rather than another.
Paradigms
Paradigms are more broad than theories; they are a particular way of looking at the world, or a
particular worldview. Theories are developed within paradigms.
Examples of IR Paradigms: Realism, Liberalism, Marxism, Constructivism, Institutionalism.
Example of an IR Theory: Balance-of-power theory (a theory that is within the Realist
paradigm).
Introduction
POLI 243: International Politics of Economic Relations
Theories
Theories are simplifications of reality; they are not trying to capture everything, rather just the
important parts. In the same way that maps help us navigate the world, theories help us
understand cause and effect.
Different theories emphasize different parts of the whole story. Theories can be good for
addressing some questions and not others; think of them as tools.
We are not trying to figure out which theory is the best, but rather what are the trade-offs that
come with one theory rather than another.
Paradigms
Paradigms are more broad than theories; they are a particular way of looking at the world, or a
particular worldview. Theories are developed within paradigms.
Examples of IR Paradigms: Realism, Liberalism, Marxism, Constructivism, Institutionalism.
Example of an IR Theory: Balance-of-power theory (a theory that is within the Realist
paradigm).
