Tugas Teori Hubungan Internasional Minggu Pertama

From The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English, theory is described by a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained. Also from The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English, we get the definition of theory as a set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based. Meanwhile, theory, as suggested by Smith and Baylis, is a kind of simplifying device that allows those who use it to decide which facts matter most or do not.

International relations theory is the study of international relations from a theoretical perspective; it attempts to provide a conceptual framework upon which international relations can be analyzed. International Relations theory entails the development of conceptual frameworks and theories to facilitate the understanding and explanation of events and phenomena in world politics, as well as the analysis and informing of associated policies and practices. As such, international relations theory are devices that allow us to make sense of international relations. This is important because ‘theories do not simply explain or predict’ but theories also ‘tell us what possibilities exist for human action and intervention.

There are so many kinds of theory in international relation theory. For the example there are : Balance of Power Theory, Chaos Theory, Complex Interdependence Theory, Complexity Theory, Constitutional Order Theory, Critical Social Theory, Dependency Theory, Deterrence Theory, Domino Theory, Ethnic Conflict Theory, Empirical Theory, Fourth World Theory, Game Theory, Hegemonic Stability Theory, International Order Theory, International Regime Theory. Parallelism Theory, Securitization Theory and many more. Yet, between this so many theory, there is not a single theory who can prove itself as the absolute theory. But, we need to know that none of these theory is proven completely wrong.

Before we can moved to the next subject, we must know that international relation theory is different with perspective in international relation. Although there are so many people confused with those two and often mixed them, there is big difference between international relation theory and perspective in international relation. We can say that international relation theory is derived from perspective in international relation.

There are three “mainstream” perspectives in international relation: realist, liberal, and identity. Each focuses on a different factor as the cause of world events; the realist perspective focuses on power, the liberal perspective on interactions and institutions, and the identity perspective on ideas. A fourth perspective is called critical theory and, unlike the other perspectives, it challenges the idea that we can explain world events apart from the historical and social context in which they take place.

The study of international relations uses perspectives, theories and levels of analysis to help us describe, explain, and predict world events. The perspectives, theories and levels of analysis offer ways of describing the causes of an event, and much of the disagreement over theory and policy-making arises because we are unable to agree on what causes an event to occur.

The discipline of IR was officially established after World War one with a view to avoiding future mass conflicts and ensuring peaceful change. This remains a worthy goal, but today the scope and complexities of world politics demand an understanding of a much wider range of issues. Moreover, new conceptual frameworks and theories are required to improve our understanding and assist in the development of better policies and practices. From that conclusion it’s crystal clear that why we need to study about international relation theory.

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