Decoding International Relations Theory: Theories and Their Impact

"The real world begins here…. What we think about these events and possibilities [e.g., in places like Bosnia and Rwanda, world wars, and the prospects for world politics in the twenty-first century], and what we think we can do about them, depends in a fundamental sense on how we think about them. In short, our thinking about the ‘real’ world, and hence our practices, is directly related to our theories, so as people interested in and concerned about the real world, we must be interested in and concerned about theory: What are the legacies of past theories? Whose facts have been most important in shaping our ideas? Whose voices are overlooked? Can we know and how can we know it? Where is theory going? Who are we? The real world is constituted by the dominant answers to these and other theoretical questions". So writes Steve Smith, Ken Booth, and Marysia Zalewski in the introduction to "International theory: positivism & beyond." This assertion intricately ties the study of international relations theory to the very fabric of our global reality. It claims that our understanding and interactions with the world are not independent of theoretical frameworks; rather, they are deeply intertwined. It is through the prism of these theories that we interpret events like the conflicts in Bosnia and Rwanda or contemplate the shape of twenty-first-century world politics.

The authors stress that our thoughts on these events and the possible actions we take are shaped by our theoretical standpoint. They argue that theory is not abstract but rather a practical tool that informs and influences our understanding and actions. They compel us to acknowledge the importance of theory in the real world and recognize that theories are not just academic constructs but are essential for shaping our perception of global events and our responses to them. The authors also challenge us to consider the historical legacy of IR theories. By examining the past, we can understand how previous ideas have influenced current international norms and policies. They urge us to take a critical look at whose facts have historically shaped dominant ideas and to question whose voices have been marginalized in this process. This call for inclusivity and critical inquiry is paramount in their argument, advocating for a more comprehensive approach that incorporates diverse voices and perspectives, especially those that have been historically overlooked.

Delving further into the nature of theory itself, Smith, Booth, and Zalewski ask us to confront the foundations of knowledge and being in international relations. They present a challenge to the standard epistemological and ontological assumptions, forcing us to grapple with questions of truth, reality, and the construction of knowledge in the field of international relations. Looking to the future, they question the direction of IR theory and reflect on the identity and purpose of those involved in the field. They encourage a forward-looking and reflective stance on the role of theorists and practitioners in shaping international discourse. Finally, they propose that the 'real world' is constituted by the answers to theoretical questions. This suggests that theory is not merely descriptive or explanatory but constitutive—it is involved in the creation of the world it describes. In this sense, theory and practice are not separate; they are interwoven, with theory actively participating in the construction of international reality.

In essence, this quotation from Smith, Booth, and Zalewski is not only a profound opening statement for a course on IR theory but also a comprehensive declaration of the imperative role that theory plays in our understanding and practice of international relations. It is an invitation to embark on a journey that explores the intricate relationship between theory and practice, and it sets the stage for an exhaustive exploration of the complex world of international politics.

What IR Theory is (not)

International Relations (upper case) and international relations (lower case)

In the context of the quote from Steve Smith, Ken Booth, and Marysia Zalewski's introduction to "International theory: positivism & beyond," the differentiation between 'International Relations' with uppercase letters and 'international relations' with lowercase letters is significant. 'International Relations' (uppercase) refers to the academic discipline that studies the relationships between countries, including the roles of states, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and multinational corporations. It is a field of study within political science or a related discipline that encompasses a variety of theoretical frameworks used to analyze and understand the behaviors and interactions on a global scale. On the other hand, 'international relations' (lowercase) refers to the actual political, economic, social, and cultural interactions that occur between sovereign states and other actors on the international stage. These are the real-world events and practices that the field of International Relations seeks to understand and explain.

The distinction is made to differentiate between the theoretical study and analysis of global interactions (International Relations) and the practical occurrences and actions that take place between actors on the world stage (international relations). This is an important separation because it allows for clarity when discussing the impact of theory on the interpretation and understanding of real-world events and vice versa. Understanding both the abstract and concrete aspects of these terms is crucial for a deep engagement with the subject matter, especially in the context of a course aimed at decoding International Relations theory and its impact.

Current affairs’ and ‘contemporary history

Understanding the nuances between 'current affairs' and 'contemporary history' is crucial for grasping the complexities of our world. Current affairs are the immediate events and issues that capture our attention on a daily basis. They are what we see on news channels, read about in newspapers, and discuss with colleagues. These are the happenings that political analysts like Fareed Zakaria comment on, providing insight into their immediate implications and potential outcomes. For instance, the ongoing discussions about climate change negotiations, the latest decisions of the United Nations Security Council, or the immediate economic impacts of a decision by OPEC are all examples of current affairs. They demand constant vigilance and adaptation as they shape the policy decisions and public opinions of the moment. In contrast, contemporary history looks at these same events with the advantage of some temporal distance. As historian Eric Hobsbawm might have articulated, it's about placing recent events within a broader narrative to understand their historical significance and long-term effects. An event such as the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 is a prime example. During its occurrence, it was a current affair; now, it's a subject of contemporary history, offering insights into the end of the Cold War and the reconfiguration of global politics. Contemporary history seeks to analyze and interpret the causes and effects of such events, drawing on the benefit of hindsight and a wider array of sources that become available over time. This is where academic discourse plays a vital role, as scholars like Timothy Garton Ash have provided comprehensive accounts of the era, enriching our understanding of the period's historical context.

While current affairs often rely on real-time reporting and immediate analyses, contemporary history utilizes methodologies to critically assess and contextualize recent events. For example, the ongoing analysis of the Arab Spring by academics like POMEPS director Marc Lynch has turned a series of current events into a rich field of historical inquiry, demonstrating the impact of these events on the political landscape of the Middle East. Both fields are dynamic; as time progresses, the line between them blurs. Today's current affairs become tomorrow's contemporary history. The analysis of current affairs, informed by the context provided by contemporary history, allows policymakers, scholars, and the general public to make sense of a rapidly changing world. As we witness events unfold, such as the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, we engage with them as current affairs. Yet, future historians will study these same events as part of contemporary history, examining their causes, the effectiveness of the global response, and their long-term impact on society. The interplay between current affairs and contemporary history is essential in shaping our collective understanding of where we stand in the flow of time and how we might influence the course of future events. They are two sides of the same coin, offering different lenses through which we can view and interpret the world around us.

IR as a ‘field of inquiry,’ but inquiry into what, exactly?

International Relations (IR) as a field of inquiry casts a wide and ever-expanding net over the myriad ways in which the world's political, economic, social, and cultural entities interact with one another. At its core, IR is concerned with the exercise of power, whether through the coercive might of military force, as examined by political scientists like Joseph Nye, or through the soft power of cultural influence and diplomacy. The field seeks to understand the intricacies of international law, the inner workings of diplomacy, and the role of international organizations in fostering cooperation or contention among states.

The economic dimension of IR can't be overstated. The field scrutinizes the flow of trade, the intricacies of international finance, and the globalization processes that weave economies together in complex interdependence—a concept explored by Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye. Consider the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and its successor, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), as real-life canvases where the theories of economic cooperation and conflict play out. When it comes to society and culture, IR explores how ideas and values cross borders, shaping and reshaping nations. The cultural exchange that accompanies global trade, immigration, and communication technologies falls within this purview. Scholars like Alexander Wendt have argued that the very identities and interests of states are constructed through these social and cultural interactions, which in turn influence their foreign policies and international engagements.

In the realm of security, IR addresses traditional concerns of warfare and peace, yet it also ventures into new domains such as cybersecurity, reflecting on how nations can protect themselves in the digital age. The proliferation of nuclear weapons, the strategic theories addressing deterrence, and the complex politics of disarmament negotiations are subjects here, drawing insights from the likes of security expert Barry Buzan. The environment is another critical area of inquiry within IR, especially as issues like climate change and resource scarcity press upon the global consciousness. International agreements like the Paris Climate Accord represent practical attempts to translate environmental concerns into international policy, an area where scholars like Jessica Green have provided analytical insights.

Ethical considerations also feature prominently in IR. The field grapples with questions of humanitarian intervention, human rights, and global justice. The debates that raged over the NATO intervention in Kosovo in 1999 provide a concrete example of the ethical dilemmas faced by states in the international system, dilemmas that theorists like John Vincent have sought to unpack. Finally, technology's role in reshaping international relations is an area of burgeoning interest. From the internet's influence on the Arab Spring to the use of drones in warfare, technology continuously redraws the map of international interactions and strategies.

In sum, IR is an expansive field that seeks to understand and explain the complex tapestry of global interactions. It examines historical events, current affairs, and predictive scenarios for the future, all while seeking to apply scholarly insights to real-world problems. From the halls of academia, where scholars theorize about the nature of international politics, to the corridors of power, where these theories are tested and applied, IR remains an essential area of inquiry for anyone looking to understand or influence the global order.