In the Shadow of E. H. Carr: The Evolution of International Politics

This Paper examines E.H. Carrs influence on past and modern international relations study. Carr first problematized the field as the study of power, morality, war, peace, and order. Within those five themes, Carr identified natural forces that caused conflict in international politics. He sought to unify the disparate schools of realism and utopianism and forge a new, peaceful world order. He challenged future international relations theorists to do the same while staying grounded in reality, but never forgetting the role of free will in human affairs. The influence of E. H. Carr on the realist school is apparent. Then stay within his themes and examine the many issues that Carr outlined. Their focus was on the material forces of the world, and much of their argument went towards discounting the importance of free will. We examine Hans Morgenthaus realism, Kenneth Waltz neorealism, and John Mearsheimers offensive realism. The liberal schools of international relations study focused on discounting the utility of power and emphasizing the effects of international interdependence. They promote the merits of cooperation and look to institutions as a method for ensuring peace. We examine Normal Angels liberal theory, Robert Keohane and Joseph Nyes neoliberal institutionalism, and John Ikenberrys institutional theory. Alternative schools of international relations study have focused on the power of ideas. Alexander Wendts constructivism promotes the power of ideas over that of material forces. Adam Watsons English school questioned the need for power politics if we could change our perceptions of sovereignty. Peter Haas epistemic communities demonstrate the power of ideas to shape international policy. Appendix A contains a proposal to combine these various theories of international relations into two models the Pillars of Security, and a Hierarchy of State Needs.