Abstract
This essay argues that the divergent narratives on the war in Ukraine are deeply influenced by these different theoretical approaches. Through an examination of these theories, this essay seeks to demonstrate how they inform not only the understanding of the war's causes but also the international responses and potential pathways to resolution.
Extract
[...] Thirdly, realism emphasizes the impossibility of states to know what others see in the foreground of security. Thus, war in realist terms is the result of an international struggle for power and only a radical shift in either structure or behaviour can end this eternal state of nature (Carr, 1964). The theory de-emphasizes international cooperation, favouring military might and alignments over strategic geography. As a proponent of classical realism, Morgenthau maintains that conflicts are driven by human nature and the decisions made by elites. [...]
[...] Carnegie Moscow Center. Waltz, K. N. (1979). "Theory of International Politics". Boston: McGraw-Hill. Yalvaç, F. (2017). "Critical Theory: International Relations' Engagement With the Frankfurt School and Marxism. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies, p. [...]
[...] Constructivist perspectives supplement this to include the importance of identity, history and discourse. From a constructivist standpoint, the behaviour of Russia and Ukraine is profoundly shaped by national identity, cultural connections and historical grievances. Constructivism, on the other hand, emphasizes how narratives are created and used to mobilize the public, signifying the extent to which media and political discourse can influence each side's construction of the conflict. Combined, these theories highlight the need to view international relations through case-specific lenses to study complex disputes. [...]
[...] (1986). "Liberalism and World Politics". American Political Science Review 80, no. 4. Gotkowska, J. (2016). "NATO's Eastern Flank - a new paradigm". Warsaw: Centre for Eastern Studies. Henson, A. K. (2021). "Politics from Above and Below: Conflicting Narratives of the Crisis in Ukraine". [...]
[...] How have different theories of international relations informed the divergent narratives on the causes of the war in Ukraine? Introduction The war in Ukraine, which started in 2014 and escalated in 2022, has had profound geopolitical and social implications, not only for Ukraine and Russia but for the European Union and the United States as well (Henson, 2021). The conflict emerged within the broader context of post-Cold War tensions, involving disputed narratives about the breakup of the Soviet Union, NATO expansion, and Ukraine's sovereignty (Gotkowska, 2016). [...]
