This webinar explores how international relations (IR) theory has interpreted war and peace through three enduring traditions:

· realism, which views conflict as natural and inevitable under anarchy;

· liberalism, which stresses the potential for cooperation through institutions, democracy, and economic interdependence; and

· reflectivism, which highlights the role of ideas, norms, and identities in shaping international outcomes.

By linking these traditions to key historical episodes – from the Thirty Years’ War to the Cold War – the webinar illustrates how theoretical pluralism provides complementary insights into the evolution of the international system. It concludes by reflecting on contemporary challenges to global order and the continuing relevance of these traditions in understanding prospects for war and peace.