1. A SIMPLE INTRODUCTION TO
WEIRD INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (IR)

2. WHAT IS WEIRD IR?
Weird IR is the study of deviant or puzzling cases in the
practice of international relations.

3. WHY ARE CASES DEVIANT OR PUZZLING?
Weird IR cases are deviant or puzzling for two reasons:
1. They cannot be easily explained or predicted by one or more
international relations theories.
2. They make you laugh... Yes, these cases are supposed to be
laughable because they are so bizarre.

4. Weird IR cases are like half-popped popcorn kernels…
You expected them to pop just like all of the other kernels in a bag,
but without fail there are a few that just don’t turn out how you
expect.

5. Weird IR
SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT OVERVIEW & EXAMPLES

6. Realism
The international system is defined by anarchy-the absence of a central
authority
States are sovereign and autonomous
States are bound only by forcibles- coercion, consent
Realists claim that survival is the principle goal of every state
State power is key because only though power can States defend themselves
and survive
“The black box” mentality
States are rational actors

7. Examples of Realism
The Melian Dialogue
The Cold War

8. Liberalism
The national characteristics of individual States matter for their IR
Domestic individuals and private groups are the fundamental actors in a State’s
IR
States of configurations of group interests which are projected through the
State
Cooperation is key
Commercial interests and interests are as important as survival
“Democratic Peace”

9. Examples of Liberalism
The Concert of Europe
International Organizations: United Nations
NAFTA, TTIP, TPP

10. Constructivism
IR is formed by historical and social construction, rather than human nature
only
“Identities and Interests”
Structures of human association are determined primarily by shared ideas
Less focus on the individual, more focus on the group: collective ideas
Since social norms as productions of human association, other associations
outside of the State (NGO’s, transnational corporations) can alter State and
international belief

11. Examples of Constructivism
The nuclear arsenals of the UK and China, though comparatively destructive,
have very different means to the US and their interactions.
The decision of transnational corporations to stop making land mines because
of their harm and destruction, resulted in a changed international norm against
land mines