The International Relations Environment and the Theory Development

The international relations environment and the theory development have the close interaction relations, both are interdependent

And students. The international environment will affect the development of international thinking, driven the rise of new thinking and structure

Shape, but also weaken some of the thinking; the same, people thinking change, will also affect

Thus affecting the transformation and development of the international social structure.

1

Stephen M. Walt that the international relations theory, all scholars face is

A world of the same, but the international relations theory there are many competing international

Relational theory. Especially after the end of the Second World War, the international relations theory is more divided,

Which is mainly Realism, Liberalism and the construction of the main

(Constructivism),

2

The interpretation of these three theories for international relations or interpretation

Different, but it triggered a new theoretical study of international relations, and thus guide the theory and practice

New combination. Especially after the end of the cold war, international relations have undergone major changes from the fundamental

The international relations environment began, the power structure, the interaction between countries also with the past forty years

The international architecture and experience is very different,

3

The traditional theory of international relations to power politics

Mainstream schools of thought, such as Realism, Neo-

Realism, Neo-Liberal Institutionalism

Unprecedented setbacks, in addition to arguing that frequently questioned, the research method is generally classified as positivism

(Positivism) who are also strongly criticized its too harsh, rigid, inappropriate;

, The normative theory, the critical theory, the postmodernism and the construction which were regarded as non-mainstream in the past

Doctrine, norms, values ​​and social forces

And argued that historical facts were not neutral and could not be fully applied by empirical methods

Such claims and research are generally referred to as post-positivism (Post-Positivism). These two categories

Advocates and research methods of confrontation, triggering the third big debate in international relations theory, this time

The great debate began in the 1980s,

4

It is no longer just a discussion of purpose and methodology

And then began to discuss some of the knowledge and ontology on the deep issues, and all kinds of various

1

Zheng Duanyao, "Analysis of the Theory of Social Constructivism in International Relations", American and European Quarterly, Taipei,

Vol. 15, No. 2 (Summer 2001), p.

2

Stephen M. Walt, "International Relations: One world, Many Theories,"

Foreign Policy, No 110 (Spring 1998 ), pp.29-39.

3

Zheng Duanyao, "The Theory of Social Constructivism in International Relations", p.