What does it mean to adopt a realist, or a world systems, or a feminist approach to international relations? Does the plethora of "isms" - liberalism and constructivism and postmodernism, to name just a few - have any relevance to the real world of global politics and policymaking? Making Sense of International Relations Theory addresses these questions by illustrating theories in action. With the case of Kosovo as a common point of reference, each contributor presents a particular framework for interpreting world affairs. This structure offers students tangible examples of the use of varying theories, while illuminating the explanatory differences among them. Incorporating extensive introductory sections, the book is uniquely designed to explore alternative ways of understanding current events - to assist students in making sense of, as well as with, IR theory.

Table of Contents

Making Sense of IR Theory - J. Sterling-Folker; Realist Approaches: Realism - J. Sterling-Folker; Structural Realism: The Consequences of Great Power Intervention - K.R. Adams; Neoclassical Realism: The Motives of Great Power Intervention - J. Taliafero; Liberal Approaches: Liberalism - J. Sterling-Folker; Neoliberalism: Institutions at War - S. Kay; Public Goods Liberalism: The Problems of Collective Action - M. Butler and M. Boyer; Game Theory Approaches: Game Theory - J. Sterling-Folker; Game Theory: Modeling Interstate Conflict - S. L. Quackenbush and F.C. Zagare; Constructivist Approaches: Constructivism - J. Sterling-Folker; Social (De)Construction: The Failure of a Multinational State - M. Hoffmann; Relational Constructivism: A War of Words - P.T. Jackson; Postmodern And Critical Theory Approaches: Postmodernism and Critical Theory - J. Sterling-Folker; Postmodernism: A Genealogy of Humanitarian Intervention - R. Shinko; Critical Theory: Dialogue, Legitimacy, and Justifications for War - M. Lynch; Historical Materialism And World System Approaches: Historical Materialism and World System Theory - J. Sterling-Folker; Historical Materialism: Imperialist Rivalry and the Global Capitalist Order - A.W. Cafruny; World System Theory: A Bird's Eye of the World Capitalist Order - A. Freyberg-Inan; Feminist Approaches: Feminism - J. Sterling-Folker; Liberal Feminism: Local Narratives in a Gendered Context - J. Mertus; Critical Feminism: Gender and War - F. D'Amico; Biopolitical Approaches: Biopolitics - J. Sterling-Folker; Biopolitics: Evolutionary History and Modern Conflict - V.S.E. Falger and J.M.G. van der Dennen; English School Approaches: The English School - J. Sterling-Folker; The English School: Sovereignty and International Law - T. Knudsen; Applying IR Theory - J. Sterling-Folker.

Author Biography

Jennifer Sterling-Folker is associate professor of political science at the University of Connecticut. She is author of Theories of International Cooperation and the Primacy of Anarchy: Explaining U.S. International Monetary Policymaking After Bretton Woods.