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Type author

Dunne, Kurkinames
& Smith:
hereInternational Relations Theories 4e

Chapter 1
International Relations and Social
Science
Learning outcomes

After this lecture you should be able to:


Appreciate the role of meta-theoretical
inquiry in IR
Understand key debates on science in IR
Understand the divisions characteristic of the
fourth debate in IR
Have an appreciation of the key areas of
disagreement between IR theoretical
positions

Dunne, Kurki & Smith: International Relations Theories 4e


Meta-theory

Meta-theory explores the underlying


assumptions that theories hold and examines
their consequences on theorising and
empirical research
All theoretical positions make assumptions
about:
ontology (theory of being)
epistemology (theory of knowledge)
methodology (theory of methods)

Dunne, Kurki & Smith: International Relations Theories 4e


Science in IR

There are two key meta-theoretical questions


in IR:
1) Is IR a science or not?
2) What does the scientific study
of world politics entail?
Positivism has traditionally provided the
dominant account of what science is

Dunne, Kurki & Smith: International Relations Theories 4e


Great debates

The history of IR has often been narrated in


terms of great debates, although this notion is
not unproblematic
There are four key debates generally
recognised in the discipline:

Idealism vs. Realism pre and post-WW I


Science vs. Traditionalism 1960s
The Interparadigm debate 1970s and 1980s
Fourth debate late-1980s and 1990s. Present?

Dunne, Kurki & Smith: International Relations Theories 4e


Fourth debate

Generally seen as the currently dominant


debate
This debate can be characterised in many
ways: as a debate
- between explaining and understanding
- between positivism and postpositivism
- between rationalism and reflectivism

Dunne, Kurki & Smith: International Relations Theories 4e


Explanation vs. understanding

The explanatory theorists seek to emulate the


natural sciences in seeking general causes
The understanding position opposes claims
to objectivity in IR and thus argues that we
should seek to explore what is distinctive
about social life and focus on interpretation of
the internal meanings, reasons and beliefs
actors hold

Dunne, Kurki & Smith: International Relations Theories 4e


Positivism vs postpositivism

Positivism is a philosophy of science that:


1) Advocates science based on systematic
observation that follows clear guidelines
2) Believes in the study of observable
regularities
3) Tends to avoid talking about unobservable
realities
Postpositivism refers to a number of theories,
some of which draw on interpretive theory,
some of which seek a non-positivist version
of science

Dunne, Kurki & Smith: International Relations Theories 4e


Rationalism vs. Reflectivism

Rationalism refers to those that apply rational


choice and positivist methods
Reflectivism refers to those that reject these
methods and advocate interpretive and
reflective methodologies
Rationalist theories Reflectivist theories
neorealism critical theory
neoliberalism constructivism
poststructuralism
feminism

Dunne, Kurki & Smith: International Relations Theories 4e


Scientific realism

Scientific realists have challenged the positivist


framing of visions of science in IR
Science is not an a priori body of knowledge, but
rather a construction of explanations in terms of
entities and processes.
They are epistemological opportunists and
advocate epistemological and methodological
pluralism.
However, all knowledge claims must be
committed to constant critique and acknowledge
potential fallibility.
Dunne, Kurki & Smith: International Relations Theories 4e
Different conceptions of theory in IR

There are many conceptions of theory in IR


- Explanatory theory
- Critical theory
- Normative theory
- Constitutive theory
- Theory as a lens
There are varying views also on
Objectivity
- Theory-testing
- Theory and practice

Dunne, Kurki & Smith: International Relations Theories 4e


Conclusion

Being aware of meta-theoretical issues is


important in understanding the nature of IR
theorising because:
All positions in IR advance some meta-
theoretical assumptions, which in turn has
consequences for the kind of questions we
ask and the kind of world politics we come to
see.

Dunne, Kurki & Smith: International Relations Theories 4e

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