Which term refers to explanations that account for most behaviors across similar contexts?

The term "Law" refers to established principles that consistently describe and predict phenomena across similar contexts. In the field of international relations, laws are often based on repeated observations and robust evidence that consistently apply under certain conditions. They provide a framework that allows researchers and policymakers to understand and anticipate behaviors within a specific context, particularly when those behaviors are predictable and widely accepted.

Theories, while they encompass broader frameworks and can explain a range of behaviors, do not always have the same level of empirical certainty and universality as laws. Whereas causal explanations may identify relationships between variables, they do not necessarily provide the comprehensive predictability that laws offer. Hypotheses are specific, testable statements derived from theories and are generally narrower in scope.

Laws stand out because they synthesize extensive observations into universally applicable statements, making them fundamental for understanding behaviors in the international system, thereby serving as a reliable foundation for further inquiry and analysis.