A Critical Realist Approach to the Study of World Politics

Abstract

Wagner offers a much-needed introduction to critical realism as a philosophy of science. Foregrounding the relevance of philosophy of science and its implications for social science research, the chapter also draws attention to corresponding metatheoretical IR debates. Illustrating key concepts such as mechanisms, stratification, emergence, and open systems, Wagner presents the critical realist ontology and epistemology. In addition to looking at the interface between theory and practice, Wagner also discusses guidelines for critical realist research and its significance for the methodology of social science. The chapter concludes with outlining the methodological implications of such a critical realist approach to the study of world politics.