The problem of nature of international system in classical international relations theories: Realism, liberalism and marxism

The aim of this thesis study is to figure out the common problematic and ontological differentiation of the classic International Relations theories. In this work, it is asserted that these theories, which try to explain, define and set the international system, are firstly and basically differentiated according to their view of the nature of the international system. So, the basic parameters and founding elements of the modern international system are expressed. The basis of this claim is the analysis of the international relations thought of Medieval Europe. In here, the international relations thought in Medieval Europe and its change and transformation that gave rise to the modern international system are explained. After the emergence of modern international system is discussed, the definition of international relations theories' modern international system are introduced, firstly in the context of political philosophy and then from the view of international relations as a discipline. The frame of international relations according to these theories is also discussed. In this nexus, the focus is the definition of the nature of the international system and suggestion of a super-identity and a frame for international system of Realism, Liberalism and Marxism for all cultures and societies beside Europe. As a result, the main themes are the international relations theories' value based nature, the basic differentiation point of the theories and the effects and results of this on the discipline. International relations thought in Medieval Europe is developed at two levels. The first level is the Rome and Catholic Church's political and religious identity that covers all Catholic Europe by shaping the international relations paradigm. At this level Christianity is the determining factor and the mean of international relations is defined as the relations among Christians and the other. The second level is composed of the sub-identities (City administrations, small kingdoms and territorial political establishments) that accept the first level's super-identity. These sub-identities developed a relationship among them according to values and norms of the Rome and Catholic Church. In this context it is an intra paradigm relationship. Parallel to the weakening effectiveness of Rome and Church's covering super-identity, by the Renaissance and Reformation the political, social and philosophical ideas, which is vi defined by Church, has transformed. The notions of state, public will, inter state relations, reason of state and balance of power became clearer as a distinguishing elements of modern international system. Thus, the first establishment, the conceptual frame and the basic parameters of modern international system are emerged. International relations theory is working for defining this emerging international system. Each theoretical approach wants to create a frame covering and defining the nature of international system. The problem of the modern international relations theory is inability of setting a comprehensive thought as Mediaeval Europe's Rome-Catholic Church system did. For this reason Realism, Liberalism and Marxism, which are labeled as classical theories in this study, are differentiated from each other in according to the definition of ontological legitimacy of modern international system. In this frame each theory firstly defines the nature of modern international system, than find the covering super-identity of modern international system and finally creates a world order imagination. And this creates the differentiation of these theories. Realism perceives the nature of modern international system as conflicting. Instead of Medieval Europeans world order perception, motivation of political branches and political-religious basis of covering super-identity of the Rome-Church system, Realism offers a frame of transcendentalization of a secular state, power and interest as a base of state absolutisation, pessimistic view of human motivation, and a mechanical conflictual balance theory for world order. The result of this view is, the perception of international system as anarchic and conflicting, and the balance of power as a covering super-identity for creating an international order. Liberalism, the second international relations theory in this study, defines the nature of international system as peaceful and coherent on the basis of rational behaviors of rational individual, claim of the self realization of rational individual's capacity in a republican-democratic administration, pre-acceptance of universal values as free trade, universal law, universal rights of individual, cooperation of societies, reciprocal rights and duties of whole humanity. According to Liberalism the super identity of international system is the universal democratic-republican values. Liberalism offers this definition as a unique world order perception for the whole world without distinguishing cultures. vii Marxism, the last classical theory in this study, sees the international relations as the relationship between different societies that have different modes of production. The social formation that is shaped by mode of production determines both social and international relations. Beside this, the modern international system is accepted as the capitalist international system that is dominated by capitalist mode of production. According to Marxism the nature of capitalist international system is so conflictual because of the endless struggle for national interest and profit. This conflictual nature of the capitalist international system can be made peaceful by only through the domination of Communist system all over the world. So, Marxism offers a classless social structure in which human is emancipated, realized its self capacity by equal distribution of wealth, as a super-identity for international system. As a result, two groups of conclusions have emerged. On the one hand, by examining the emergence of the modern international system, in through an ontological analyses, a genealogy of the international system has been presented. In this regard, it is defined that international system was emerged by the effects of the western religious and political transformations and for this reason it is shaped by the European values. Continuing with this the roots of nation state, capitalist mode of production, division of secular and religious spheres, democratic liberal values, are explained on this base. On the other hand, by examining the emergence of modern international system, I reached to the philosophical background as a common problematic of the international relations theories. In line with this, I conclude that classical international relations theories, Realism, Liberalism, and Marxism, are differentiated on the issue of definitions of nature of modern international system.