Lecture 2 - IR: A Debating Discipline

Question 1

reasons for great debates - academic scene

Answer 1

theories are shaped by their immediate social setting = the academic scene

this academic scene is combative where theories are competing with each other

Question 2

reasons for great debates - historical circumstances

Answer 2

different theories are reflective of and were meant to provide explanations to changing historical circumstances (like realism emerging after world war 2)

Question 3

reasons for great debates - diversity and complexity of what is studied

Answer 3

theories are reflective of the diversity and complexity of what is studies (wars / economic interdependence / climate change etc).

this leads to multiple perspectives on what the most important factors are and how inquiry should proceed

Question 4

reasons for great debates - identities of scholars

Answer 4

theories are relinked to our identities as scholars, our socialization, geographical location, experiences, gender, ethnicity and economic status.

Question 5

reasons for great debates - disciplinary mark of distinction

Answer 5

emphasis on theory is what distinguishes IR from other disciplines, which IR grew out of (history, law, diplomatic studies)

Question 6

reasons for great debates - structuring effects of scientific disciplines

Answer 6

where intellectual innovation which conforms to collective standards and priorities is rewarded

where authority is concentrated with those who achieve power over knowledge goals and procedure

Question 7

Contemporary theoretical debates focus on three questions regarding the nature and purpose of human knowledge and understanding

Answer 7

1. ontological = What is it that is being studied, who is being studied, and more generally, what does the world consist of?
2. epistemological = How can we understand the world
   and what is the status of the knowledge claims we make about the world?
3. methodological = What methods should we adopt in our study?

Question 8

Most intensely fought between:

Answer 8

neorealism and social constructivism

Question 9

positivist theories - what is being studied

Answer 9

The international system and its structuring (constraining or enabling) effects

Material world and material factors (especially the role of military resources)

Question 10

post-positivist theories - what is being studied

Answer 10

International society and its constituting effects.

Socially constructed world and immaterial factors (e.g, norms, ideas, identities)

Question 11

positivist theories - who is being studied?

Answer 11

states

= central and rational actors

Question 12

post-positivist theories - who is being studied?

Answer 12

plurality of actors (states, IO’s, NGO’s , bureaucrats, individuals)

= social actors

Question 13

positivist theories (neo-realism) - what does the world consist of?

Answer 13

Anarchic world (= absence of world government) based on uneven distribution of power between states

= enduring competition, conflict, war

Question 14

post-positivist theories (social constructivism) - what does the world consist of?

Answer 14

world cultures based on shared ideas

= cooperation, contestation; change and process

Question 15

positivist theories (neo-realism) - how can we understand the world / what is the status of the knowledge claims we make about the world

Answer 15

causal explanations

neutral, objective truth-like and generalizable claims

emulation of social sciences

Question 16

post-positivist theories (social constructivism) - how can we understand the world / what is the status of the knowledge claims we make about the world

Answer 16

interpretation and understanding

subjective, context-bound (middle-range theorizing) and critical, self-reflective claims

sociology, philosophy, literary and linguistic studies as reference point