‘May you live in interesting times’

IRPG841/L1 Introducing IR Theory: Concepts, Methods and Approaches the nature and scope of IR the role of theory range of theories (from realism to green theory) key terms and concepts.

The term ‘international relations’ functions in two ways: to indicate the principal subject matter of the field, i.e. relations between sovereign states (sometimes called nation-states) in the international system of states. to name a specialized discipline within political studies. When referring to the discipline it is usually capitalized – as in International Relations (or IR).

1933 Montevideo Convention on Rights and Duties of States States to be recognized according to the following criteria: a permanent population a defined territory a government capable of maintaining effective control over its territory and of conducting international relations with other states

The state in international relations may be defined as: a formally constituted political structure encompassing people, territory and institutions which interacts with similarly constituted structures in an international system of states.

The nation refers specifically to ‘a people’. However, there is no widely agreed definition beyond the fact that the term denotes: a species of collective identity grounded in some notion of shared history and/or culture and which may or may not lay claim to some kind of political recognition.

Role of Theory IR theory is a species of social science theory The aim of any discipline in the natural or social sciences is to develop of body of organized knowledge based on methods of systematic enquiry and which produce reliable interpretations of processes, events etc.

IR Theory Theory is a way of organizing the basic elements of thinking and intepretation of the facts about the world around us. We can neither explain nor understand that world without a theoretical framework. Facts do not speak for themselves – they are made to speak in different ways – often through different theories.

Range of IR theories to be considered in the unit: Realism Liberalism Marxism Critical Theory Constructivism Postmodernism Postcolonialism Gender Theory Green Theory

Key concepts in IR theory: human nature anarchy world order the state and state system security/insecurity power national interest sovereignty war/peace ……….

Basic terminology & related concepts in methodology: epistemology ontology empiricism foundationalism positivism agency discourses and narratives universalism relativism