The Evolution of the Concept of International Actor in the Theory of International Relations

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to follow the main theoretical changes and enlargements of the concept of international actor. In other words, to reflect the different answers given to the question WHO manages to influence on the international scene. or WHICH are the ACTORS of the international system? Taking the realist concept of international actor as a starting point, we will present the main criticism from the subsequent approximations of the international relations theory. Firstly, we will analyze the contributions from the approximations that, starting in the seventies, repected the transnational phenomenon. The state, the main actor, and the international organizations were no longer considered the only actors and this concept started to include other entities as multinational corporations, non governmental organizations, public opinion, lobbies or individuals. Secondly, we will analyze the approximations, starting in the eighties, that have taken into account the substate phenomenon at the international level namely, those which stressed the attention on the external activity of the substate political entities like federated states, comunidades autónomas, regions or cities. Finally, through the criticisms to the realist concept of international actor and its following enlargements, we will present the required criteria to formulate an operational and comprehensive definition of international actor that allows us to interpret the complexity of the contemporary international society.