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As human beings, we might be able to describe our actions fairly easily; however, it is far more difficult to explain them. The same goes for states; it is easy to describe a state’s actions in both domestic and foreign affairs. However, we cannot understand why that action was taken in the first place.

When it comes to explaining action, we are, whether we like it or not, in the realm of theory.

So what is the definition of theory? A theory is a systematic and coherent set of concepts, assumptions, and principles that seek to explain and predict a particular phenomenon or set of phenomena in social science. In social science, we typically refer to philosophical questions as meta-theoretical debates. Meta-theory doesn’t look at a specific event, phenomenon, or set of empirical real-world practices. Instead, it looks at the assumptions that all theories are based on and tries to figure out how those assumptions affect the act of theorizing and the practice of empirical research. Meta-theory includes three important keys: ontology, epistemology, and methodology. Ontology refers to the theory of being, epistemology refers to the theory of knowledge, and methodology means the theory of methods. There are many theories in the social sciences that are also popular in IR; critical theory, constitutional theory, normative theory, explanatory theory, and theory as lens are some examples of them. But when we try to apply these theories directly to the IR and the world’s political puzzles and problems, we will get different and complicated answers. That is why theorizing IR right after the Second World War with the first great debate helped us understand IR better. Also, over the years, these debates have expanded and increased.

A quick and easy example, for instance, is “Prime Minister Tony Blair said that he supported the US President in going to war against Iraq.” There was an action taken by the United Kingdom government; however, why was the action undertaken? To find this out, we can choose the theories of IR that are specialized. Because Theorizing in IR can help us identify key concepts and variables that are relevant to understanding international politics, and it can also guide policy decisions. Theories in International Relations help to find patterns, make predictions, and explain how these actors act. They can also be used to do empirical research and test ideas. Theories in International Relations can also help people learn and understand more about the field and provide a starting point for ongoing debate and discussion