What Are the Real Rules of International Relations? [Video]

There are a handful of ideas about how international politics work—about war and peace, order and disorder, interdependence and insecurity—that have consumed scholars for hundreds of years. At Foreign Affairs, we wanted to take a fresh look at these old chestnuts of international relations theory and explain what we know about them now, and how they influence policy.

Foreign Affairs Executive Editor Stuart Reid discusses the theoretical arguments that underpin today’s geopolitical debates with:

Manjari Chatterjee Miller, Professor and Munk Chair in Global India at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto and a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Stephen G. Brooks, Professor of Government at Dartmouth College and a Guest Professor at Stockholm University.

Tanisha M. Fazal, Professor of Political Science at the University of Minnesota.

This discussion was recorded on October 23, 2024.

Additional Resources

“The Most Dangerous Game” by Manjari Chatterjee Miller
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/most-dangerous-game

“The Trade Truce?” by Stephen G. Brooks
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/world/trade-truce-stephen-brooks

“The Power of Principles” by Tanisha M. Fazal
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/power-principles-norms-tanisha-fazal

“The Credibility Trap” by Keren Yarhi-Milo
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/credibility-trap-reputation-yarhi-milo

“Fear Factor” by Charles L. Glaser
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/fear-factor-security-charles-glaser

“Why They Don’t Fight” by Michael Doyle
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/world/why-they-dont-fight-doyle