1. International Relations Theory A New Introduction
Chapter 7
The Post-Positivist Tradition

2. Introduction
Post-positivist tradition refers to contending views within philosophy of science
Prime characteristic of the tradition is difference
Significant aspect of post-positivist scholarship = critique of mainstream perspectives on international relations, yet output in the form of substantive studies of world politics has been even more significant.

3. Four Debates Co-Constituting the Discipline
Genealogy
Four Debates Co-Constituting the Discipline
Idealism-Realism s-1950s
Traditionalism-Behavioralism 1960s-1970s
Inter-Paradigm Debate s
(Realism-Liberalism-Globalism)
Positivism vs. Post-positivism 1990s-

4. Currents of Thought Social constructivism Poststructuralism
Critical Theory

5. Kinds of Theory Cultivated?
Meta-theory
e.g. W. Carlsnaes (2002)
Interpretative theory
e.g. F. Kratochwil, J. Ruggie (1986; 1991, 1998)
Normative theory
Explanatory or causal theory
e.g. R. Jepperson, A. Wendt, P. Katzenstein (1996)

6. Main Intra-Tradition Debates
On post-positivist – positivism relationship
Critical Theory  Constructivism  poststructuralism
On whether emancipation is part and parcel of the post-positivist tradition
Concerning the nature and very possibility of theory
Methodology has proven to be a contested issue

7. Research Agenda
Key concepts: anarchy, power and security have always played a significant part in theorizing and analyzing international relations
Regarding meta-theoretical reflections, focus is more on deeds than on vices of meta-theory

8. Research Agenda
Meta-theoretical reflections are sometimes merged with critical concerns
The post-positivist tradition is no stranger to empirical studies yet insists that there is a crucial difference between ‘empirical’ and ‘empiricist’.

9. Conclusion
Post-positivist theoretical approaches may appear slightly diffuse and lacking common main features
Despite uncertainties, the development of the tradition demonstrates that the representatives of the tradition cultivate a wider range of studies than do theorists in most other traditions

10. Conclusion
Movement between philosophical, meta-theoretical, theoretical and empirical levels of analysis is commonplace
The tradition is characterized by lively internal debates, e.g.
On the question whether a focus on non-material phenomena should have epistemological consequences
On the possible methodological consequences of studying social ontology