How can IR theories be brigged - Essay Example

Some of the core theories surrounding international relation are that of idealism, Realism, Marxism, Functionalism, Dependency theory, Critical theories and other areas such as international ethics and rationalism. There are some major gaps between the international relation theory owing to the time factor as well as the evolution of new ways and dimension to the theories. It is possible to bridge the theories in international relation and bring in a whole new dimension to the area. There were two distinct enterprises when it comes to international relations.

The first set of theories dealt with the organization and dynamics of international relations. These theories provided concrete policies that are directly aimed at international relations. Proliferation of theories based on these few areas gave rise to concern and opened the arena for the new theories. The second set of theories that came about at a later point of time aims at giving us a thorough understanding of the international relation but in an indirect manner. Some of the first set theories include liberalism and realism whereas the second set comprises of ontological and epistemological issues that indirectly leads us to international relations. . Instead, both the areas should be read together and thus bridging of international theories becomes very much crucial to get to the crux of the subject matter.

Such implicit and explicit area of international theory will open new arenas or close unwanted views. This bridging will definitely help us understand the world of politics in a better manner. For instance, let us take the example of bridging of the Constructivism and Feminism in International Relations. Both of these theories belong to Critical international relations theory which believes that the behavior of the state as well as an individual can be changed. Constructivism is a discipline in international relation which believes that a prominent portion of the international relation is subject to historical and social contingency than the influence of the necessary consequences of human activities or that of world politics.

Feminism, on the other hand, is the area of that target at the gender concerns in the international relations and politics arena. The IR feminism looks into to the areas of international politics affected by men and women and the gendered factors surrounding some of the major areas of international relations. Both feminism and constructivism seems way apart but they seem to merge at a single point. Feminism is a historical and social contingency that has a major influence in the international politics.

This is where the merging happens, thereby providing us a new area called Feminist constructivism. Feminist constructivism is an IR theory that is built upon the concept of construction as well as studies as to the influence of gender in world politics. A deeper look into construction will lead you through a way to understand