Fourth Great Debate

Question 1

Fourth Great Debate in International Relations (IR) focuses on

Answer 1

the methodological divide between rationalism and reflectivism, further expanding the epistemological discussions of the Third Great Debate

Question 2

this debate centers on

Answer 2

how IR should be studied and what constitutes valid knowledge.

Question 3

Rationalism…

Answer 3

rooted in positivism, emphasizes structured, scientific methods like formal modeling, statistical analysis, and game theory to explain and predict state behavior and patterns in global politics

Question 4

Reflectivism…

Answer 4

challenges the scientific aspirations of rationalism

arguing that international relations are deeply influenced by subjective, socially constructed ideas, norms, and identities, which require interpretive and qualitative approaches.

Question 5

4th Great Debate

Answer 5

focuses on how we study global politics and what counts as valid knowledge.

Question 6

Rationalists believe

Answer 6

IR should be studied using scientific methods like models, statistics, and game theory to explain and predict patterns of behavior

Question 7

Reflectivists argue that

Answer 7

global politics is shaped by ideas, norms, and identities, which require interpretive and qualitative methods like critical theory, feminism, and poststructuralism.