Does International Relations theory help us to understand Russia’s war in Ukraine?

Does International Relations theory help us to understand Russia’s war in Ukraine? Give at least two examples of events during the war which either supports or challenges a key concept, thinker, or theory from the field of International Relations.

Use the following as the sources:

Chapter 6: Liberal internationalism

Ikenberry, “The end of liberal international order?”, (pages 7-23)

Robert Cox, “Social forces, states and world orders: beyond international relations theory”, (pages 126-135)

What does IR Theory say and how does it help understand Russie’s war in Ukraine?

Liberalism

• Economic interdependence make wars costly
• International institutions can organize allies to fight
• Democracies fight together (mostly)

What does IR Theory say?

Marxism

• This is a war about class (Russian oligarchy)
• Capitalist powers seek empire