國際關係理論研究正在進行第四次的理論大辯論，建構主義與理性主義是此次辯論的主角，雙方辯論的焦點在於物質因素與理念因素的爭議、關於國際制度的爭論、關於認同與國際規範的爭論、後果性邏輯與適當性邏緝的爭論，以及因果解釋與構成解釋（理解）的爭論。同時，此次大辯論可能發展趨勢會是重組國際關係研究學科本身，而以經驗研究為主，雙力理論的相容與折衷混合。

　　　　　Rationalism vs. constructivism is an ongoing great debate in the International Relations Theory (IRT), the debate topics are on: 1)materials matter or ideas matter in shaping agency's behaviors. 2)international institution's effects. 3)identity formation and international norms compliance. 4)logic of consequences or appropriateness mode of decision-making. 5)explanation or understanding in international studies. This great debate will bring about to reorganize the IRT itself, an empirical research's dominance in IRT, neo-perspectives which integrate the rationalism and constructivism, and the convergence of constructivism and postmodernism.