International Relations Theory Questions
The Rationalist perspective in International Relations Theory is a theoretical approach that emphasizes the role of rationality and self-interest in shaping the behavior of states and other actors in the international system. According to this perspective, states are seen as rational actors who make decisions based on a cost-benefit analysis, seeking to maximize their own security, power, and wealth. Rationalists argue that states are driven by their own interests and are primarily concerned with achieving relative gains over other states. This perspective often assumes that states have perfect information, act in a unitary manner, and are primarily motivated by material factors. Rationalist theories include realism, neorealism, and rational choice theory, among others.