Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
An Introduction to Kenneth Waltz’s Theory of International Politics Instructional VideoAn Introduction to Kenneth Waltz’s Theory of International Politics Instructional Video
Publisher
Macat
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
9th - 12th
Subjects
Social Studies & History
3 more...
Resource Type
Instructional Videos
Media Length
0:00
Audiences
For Teacher Use
1 more...
Instructional Strategy
Direct Instruction
Technology
Video
Internet Access
Year
2015
Usage Permissions
Fine Print
Instructional Video

An Introduction to Kenneth Waltz’s Theory of International Politics

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Kenneth Waltz's 1979 book An Introduction of International Politics used game theory and rational calculation to discuss international relations. Learn more about the ways states rely on trust to interact with each other, and how large movements by one government with an extensive military can affect even the smallest countries in the world.

31 Views 15 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable

Concepts

politics, international relations, government systems, competition, political science, anarchy, game theory

Additional Tags

social studies

Instructional Ideas

  • Use the video to introduce a unit on government systems or superpowers
  • Extend the symbol, and have small groups pair countries in historical or current conflicts to the billiard balls with short explanations of their choices

Classroom Considerations

  • Video features a short overview of Waltz's theory; refer to the publisher's website for an extended analysis that is available with a free trial or paid subscription
  • Comment section is open to the public and is full of differing opinions
  • This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

  • Employs a pool table image to represent the interactions between superpowers and smaller governments
  • Explains very complex ideas in an understandable and relatable way

Cons

  • None

Common Core

RH.9-10.2 RH.9-10.9 RH.11-12.2 RH.11-12.9

See similar resources:

Instructional Video

Political Theory - Thomas Hobbes

The School of Life
Obedience and Thomas Hobbes: two peas in a pod. Learners hear about these two concepts and more of Hobbes' political theory in an informative video. A variety of primary resources, drawings, and visual aids help convey the information.
7 mins 9th - Higher Ed Social Studies & History
CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Video

Interest Groups: Crash Course Government and Politics #42

Crash Course
Have you ever wondered if those in power actually consider the interests of their constituents? The 42nd video clip in a 50-part series on the United States government and politics introduces the concept of special interest groups....
8 mins 9th - 12th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Adaptable
Instructional Video

An Introduction to Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel

Macat
Could geography really be the most logical explanation for the success rate of any given population? Jared Diamond makes his anthropological contention in his 1997 publication Guns, Germs, and Steel. A short explores his main points and...
9th - 12th Social Studies & History
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Corporate Governance

Curated OER
Examine the role of the Securities Exchange Commission. Upper graders watch a short Bill Moyers video, analyze a political cartoon, complete a graphic organizer on the SEC, and develop SEC reform strategies to rebuild investor confidence.
9th - 12th Social Studies & History
Lesson Plan

Planning a Government

Curated OER
Demonstrate the complexities of running a government with this group activity. Young politicians are arranged into small groups and become leaders of a hypothetical country (outline of country provided). Groups must outline 6 (listed)...
9th - 12th Social Studies & History
Lesson Plan

Japanese-American Relocation

Curated OER
Consider the causes and effects that led to the internment and relocation of Japanese Americans during WWII. Learners read the story "Baseball Saved Us" and selected chapters from Farewell to Manzanar. Then, they view a slide-show, and...
11th Social Studies & History
Worksheet

International Day of Democracy

Curated OER
In this International Day of Democracy instructional activity, students complete activities such as reading a passage, phrase matching, fill in the blanks, correct words, multiple choice, spelling, sequencing, scrambled sentences,...
5th - 10th English Language Arts
Worksheet

International Trade Reality Worksheet

Curated OER
In this international trade worksheet, students respond to 21 short answer questions regarding free trade, trade deficits, and trade balance.
10th - 12th Social Studies & History
Lesson Plan

An Introduction to Law

Curated OER
With so many different types of law, it can be difficult for learners to discern which is which! Use a newspaper to give tangible examples of various types of law, including criminal, civil, consumer, family, local, state, federal and...
11th - 12th Social Studies & History
Interactive

Locke's Second Treatise on Civil Government

Curated OER
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Locke's Second Treatise on Civil Government.
9th - 12th Social Studies & History
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use