Reflectivist and Rationalist Theories in IR

Question 1

Normative Theory

Answer 1

Normative theory, within the realm of political and social sciences, refers to a type of theory that focuses on prescribing how things ought to be or what is considered as normatively desirable. It involves the development and evaluation of normative principles, values, and ideals that guide individuals, societies, or institutions toward a preferred state or behavior.

Question 2

Characteristics of the normative theory

Answer 2

1.Prescriptive Nature:

Normative theory is prescriptive, offering recommendations on how things should be or what is considered normatively desirable.

2.Values-Oriented:

Rooted in values, normative theory explores ethical principles and ideals guiding human behavior and social organization.

3.Policy Implications:

Normative theories have practical implications, guiding policy decisions and shaping laws based on advocated normative principles

Question 3

Feminism

Answer 3

• Four types of Feminism in IR:
• Marxist (double exploitation class-based + sex-based) –emancipation through Revolution
• Social-democratic: inclusion and redistribution, equalizing chances (e.g. women in the South) – quotas
• Liberal: anti-discrimination rather than quotas. Globalization brings both problems and their remedies
• Radical (stand-point): Cynthia Enloe – replacing ‘sex’ with ‘gender’ – the social construction of gendered identities
  Women’s Perspectives over IR – radically different from that of the men: cooperation > competition , consensus > violence

Question 4

Definition of feminism

Answer 4

Feminism is a socio-political movement and ideology advocating for the rights and equality of all genders. It involves critical analysis of power structures, challenges patriarchal norms, and seeks to address issues related to gender-based discrimination and inequality.

Question 5

3 characteristics of feminism

Answer 5

1.Gender Equality:

Feminism advocates for the equality of genders, seeking to eliminate discrimination and promote equal opportunities for all genders.

2.Critical Analysis of Power:

Feminist perspectives involve a critical analysis of power dynamics, highlighting and challenging patriarchal structures that contribute to gender-based inequalities.

3.Diverse Approaches:

Feminism encompasses diverse approaches, including liberal, radical, and intersectional perspectives, reflecting a range of strategies and goals for achieving gender justice.

Question 6

Postmodernism definition

Answer 6

Postmodernism is a cultural, intellectual, and artistic movement characterized by a skepticism toward grand narratives, a rejection of absolute truths, and an emphasis on the relativity and subjectivity of knowledge and experience.

Question 7

3 characteristics of postmodernism

Answer 7

1.Skepticism of Metanarratives:

Postmodernism questions overarching narratives or metanarratives, challenging the idea of universal, objective truths and emphasizing the diversity of individual perspectives.

2.Relativism and Pluralism:

Postmodernism promotes relativism, acknowledging multiple truths and rejecting a singular, objective reality. It embraces cultural and intellectual pluralism, recognizing diverse ways of understanding the world.

3.Deconstruction:

Postmodernism involves deconstructing established norms, meanings, and categories. It challenges binary oppositions, questions the stability of language, and explores the fluidity of identities and concepts.

Question 8

Postmodernism

Answer 8

• The reality of the IR = discursive construction, the world is what we all historically say it is.
• The basis: the co-constitutive relation between power and knowledge (Michel Foucault)
• Mistrust in meta-narrations – constitutive myths of power and hierarchy (J.-F. Lyotard)
• Projecting international power through discourse –Richard Ashley
  The artificial character of the R hierarchies, the ambiguity of notions
  E.g. the official discourse over the conflicts from former Yugoslavia: the objectivation of identity (in fact, politically manipulated) and the radicalization of differences; the progressive diabolization of Bosnian Serbians

Question 9

Discourse theory

Answer 9

Discourse theory is an interdisciplinary approach that examines the role of language, communication, and symbolic representations in shaping social reality. It emphasizes how discourse, including language, narratives, and symbols, constructs and influences power relations, identities, and social norms. discourse theory refers to an approach that examines the role of language, communication, and narratives in shaping the understanding and conduct of international affairs.

Question 10

3 characteristics of discourse theory

Answer 10

1.Linguistic Construction of Reality:

Discourse theory highlights how language is not merely a reflection of reality but actively constructs and shapes our understanding of the world. It emphasizes the role of language in framing perceptions, identities, and power relations in international affairs.

2.Power-Knowledge Nexus:

Central to discourse theory is the examination of the relationship between power and knowledge. It explores how dominant discourses reinforce power structures, influence policy decisions, and shape the distribution of authority in the international arena.

3.Critical Examination of Narratives:

Discourse theory encourages a critical examination of narratives and the stories told in international relations. It involves questioning dominant narratives, deconstructing underlying assumptions, and exploring how alternative discourses can challenge established norms and practices.

Question 11

International ecologism

Answer 11

International ecologism refers to a set of political, social, and ethical perspectives that address environmental issues on a global scale. It encompasses the idea that ecological challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, require international cooperation and collective action.