Integral quadratic constraints (IQC) arise in many optimal and/or robust control problems. The IQC approach can be viewed as a generalization of the classical multiplier approach in the absolute stability theory. In this paper, we study the relationship between the two approaches for robust stability analysis. Using a slightly modified multiplier approach, we show that the existence of an IQC is equivalent to the existence of a multiplier in most known cases. It is hoped that this result provides some new insight into both approaches and makes them more useful in robust control applications. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.