Week 5 - Alternative theories of IR Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is positivism?
The belief that IR scholarship is an objective inquiry that is concerned with uncovering verifiable facts or regularities of world politics and is based on valid scientific research techniques.
For example: Rationalism is a positivist lens.
What is reflectivism?
Post-positivism.
Umbrella term for diverse theoretical approaches (constructivism, feminist theory, critical theory etc.) that challenge the dominant rationalist and positivist paradigms within IR.
Emphasizes the importance of values, norms, and social practices in shaping international relations.
Origins of constructivism – outcome and combination of what?
Outcome of neorealism-neoliberalism movement paired with sociological theory.
Basic premise of constructivism:
Argues for greater attention to ideational forces such as:
* Ideas
* Knowledge
* Norms and rules
Core idea of constructivism (3):
- Ideas matter
o Everything is socially constructed. - Holism
o There exists an ‘idea structure’ to global politics – a construction of ideas (shared or not) - Relationship between agents and structure
o Agents and structure co-constitute each other
Constructivism - 2 types of fact:
Constructivism highlights the difference between material and social.
1. Brute facts – exist independent of human existence or human denial (e.g. water, geographical location of states)
2. Social facts - dependant on human agreement (e.g. value of money, sovereignty, balance of power). We define things which can prevail into fact.
Constructivism – Diffusion of norms:
As an idea becomes accepted, it has the ability to spread - becoming a predominant idea or norm.
Constructivism - Which norms diffuse (4 reasons):
a) Easiest to implement/chosen by compromise
Lest controversial/most realistic – not necessarily the best.
b) Coercion/pressure
Pressure to adopt certain norms.
c) Symbolic legitimacy (tangible benefits)
For the appearance of progression – reputational reasons.
For material benefits – like trade agreements.
d) Imitation – following what is perceived as successful
Constructivism - 3 stages – lifecycle of a norm:
- Norm emergence
A new idea or standard of appropriate behaviour is introduced by a norm entrepreneur. - Norm cascade
The tipping point - once a critical mass adopts the norm, it starts to spread rapidly to others. - Norm internalisation
Norm can become cemented as fact. Norm can be institutionalised.
Constructivism - What is a ‘norm’ in IR?
Norms are shared expectations and rules that guide behaviour within a particular social context.
Constructivism - How do norms constrain behaviour of actors?
The cost of deviation (loss of legitimacy, sanctions, reputation etc.)
What is critical theory:
Questions the underlying power structures, assumptions, and inequalities in the international system and in international theory.
* IR from marginal perspectives
* Relationship between knowledge, power and identity formation
* Interrogates assumptions and where they came from
Critical theory – 5 sub theories:
- Feminist theory
- Post-colonial theory
- Marxism
- Post structuralism
- Post modernism
Feminist Theory – 4 branches (just identify):
- Liberal
- Marxist
- Post-modernism
- Neocolonial
Key concern of liberal feminist theory:
- Concerned with women’s equal access to political power
- Key question: where are women in world politics?
Key concern of Marxist feminist theory:
- Capitalism and class structures intersect with gender to oppress women.
- how the international system relies on and reinforces unequal economic and gender relations, especially through the exploitation of women’s labour
- The patriarchal state (institutions, ideas, culture) continues to uphold status quo.
Key concern of post-modernism feminist theory:
- How language, discourse, and knowledge systems create and maintain gendered power structures.
- international politics relies on socially constructed gendered narratives
Key concern of neocolonial feminist theory:
- How colonial histories and ongoing Western domination continue to shape and oppress women in the Global South
- How Western feminism can sometimes reinforce these power imbalances.
- Economic and political goals of women across the globe are in conflict with each other
Critical Theory – Post-colonialism:
Examines how the legacies of colonialism and empire continue to shape global politics, power, and knowledge.
Challenges the Eurocentric foundations of IR by centring the voices, histories, and perspectives of formerly colonized societies.
How did social sciences play a role in colonial governance?
- helped justify, structure, and manage colonial rule by producing knowledge that supported the interests and worldview of colonial powers
- research was used by colonial administrators to understand, categorize, and control colonized societies
What is the ‘big idea’ of Marxism (2 points)?
- The history of all societies is the history of class struggle
- Analyses the nature and consequences of capitalism; in IR, it is the hidden workings of global capitalism which provides the context in which international events occur
Critical theory – Marxism in IR thought – key idea:
The hidden workings of global capitalism which provide the context in which international events occur.
Marxist theories of IR (2 – just identify):
- World-system theory
- Gramscianism (Antonia Gramsci)
IR Marxism – World-system theory:
- Monopoly capitalism leads to imperialist expansion = results in division of working-class interests, as well as division of states. Therefore - periphery states dependant to core states. Can cause resistance.
o When firms monopolise sectors, free market ideal declines as big firms control the market.
o Due to saturated market – look broader for cheap labour/new markets.
o Leads to modern formation of imperialism – stronger states dominate weaker states for economic gain.
o Core nations dominate periphery nations politically and economically
o no longer an automatic harmony of interests between all workers as posited by Marx (interests of workers from core or periphery differ)
Core = Wealthy, industrialized nations with strong states and monopolized capital
Periphery = Poor, underdeveloped nations that supply raw materials and cheap labour
Semi-periphery = Intermediate states that are exploited by the core but also exploit the periphery
