International studies, Vol. I No. 2-3, 2001.
Original scientific paper
Theories of International Relations and the Applicability to Foreign Policy Practice
Blanka Will-Galić
; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Croatia
Abstract
Starting from the issue of foreign policy practice, the theory itself is being defined and the usefulness of theories of international relations in foreign policy is also being observed. The three major tasks of the theories are pointed out: selective, explicative and prescriptive. The main schools are presented which dealt with international politics and which marked the 20th century: realism-neorealism, idealism-neoidealism, i.e. institutionalism and the theory of integration, which prevails in conception of European integration developments. The paradigm in international relations bas been changed and the increased number of actors in the international scene has defined it after the end of the Cold War. Taking this altered paradigm as the background, the need far pluralism is being observed in the use of theories in the post-modern constellation of international relations. It is observed in regard to the increased types of actors in the constellation which is defined by globalization on one hand and by integration tendencies on the other.
Keywords
realism-neorealism; idealism-neoidealism; integration theory; globalization
Hrčak ID:
286409
URI
Publication date:
1.10.2001.
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