A comparative analysis of the national interest concept in theories of international relations

It can easily be argued that the concept of the national interest has a significant place in both daily life and academic domain. Although the concept seems to have a definite meaning at first glance the analysis of a few works about the national interest is enough to claim that the concept does not have a definite meaning. Moreover each theory comments the concept in accordance with its epistemology. Thus, the concept of the national interest does not signify one meaning; on the contrary, it can have different connotations with regard to the theory by which it is interpreted.Taking into consideration uncertain content of the concept mentioned above, this thesis aims to analyse the concept of the national interest from different points of view; thus, it can be defined as an endeavour towards the nature of the national interest. This work consists of five chapters. Each chapter is divided into several subsections in itself. A large portion of each chapter is seperated to describe the concepts of the theory which analyses the national interest in that chapter. The concept of the national interest is described in the last part of each chapter in the light of the knowledge given about the theory at issue.In the first chapter, the Realpolitik thought and its approach to the national interest are analysed. In the second chapter, the Liberal thought and its national interest understanding are considered. In the third chapter, Constructivism and its approach to the national interest are described. The fourth chapter is seperated for Marxism and its critique about the national interest. In the last part, the Critical Thought and its critique about the national interest are presented.