INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE SELECTED THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The aim of the article is to point out differences between theories of the IR (International Relations) in the process of explanation of the institutionalization of international relations. Selected theories of the International Relations were chosen that belong to the rationalist and constructivist paradigm in the International Relations studies.
Since the 80s, institutionalization has been a matter of reflection of researchers. This follows from the dynamics and specificity of the contemporary international relations – quantitative growth of various forms of international institutions (international organizations, regimes, norms, or transnational actors). They start to play an increasingly important role. It is assumed that such institutions have an impact on the behavior of states in the international system. This raises the question of how to study that influence. The answer to that question is different depending on the theoretical perspective used for analyses.