Why Nations Act the Way They Do: Realism, Liberalism & Contructivism Explained

In this episode, we break down the core ideas behind International Relations Theory and what they reveal about how nations actually behave on the world stage.Why do countries go to war? When does diplomacy work and when does it fail? And are global decisions driven by power, cooperation, or something deeper such as identity and belief?From Realism and the constant power struggle, to Liberalism and the role of alliances, trade, and institutions, to Constructivism and the influence of ideas, culture, and perception. This episode connects theory to real-world action.We explore how governments make strategic decisions, how diplomacy shapes outcomes, and why the international system often feels unpredictable. If you want to better understand conflicts, cooperation, and global politics, this episode gives you the foundation behind it all.