Discipline Of International Relations Research Articles

The Empire Cites Back: The Occlusion of Non-Western Histories of IR and the Case of India

The call for a ‘global’ and ‘post-Western’ international relations (IR) discipline is rightly gathering momentum, yet arguably this research agenda contains presumptions as to the absence of a historical tradition of IR thinking in places such as India. Turning attention to marginalized histories of Indian IR, this commentary on the global IR debate offers a historical corrective to these presumptions and calls for greater attention to extra-European disciplinary histories. In so doing, important patterns of co-constitution reveal the connected histories of disciplinary development that challenge the analytical categories that often characterize the global IR and post-Western IR literature. A more historicized global IR debate offers a fruitful research agenda that explores the multiple connected beginnings of IR as a global discipline responsive to a variety of intellectual lineages, encompassing a variety of political purposes and revealing entanglements of imperial and anti-imperial knowledge.

AI and the future of IR: Disentangling flesh-and-blood, institutional, and synthetic moral agency in world politics

AI and the future of IR: Disentangling flesh-and-blood, institutional, and synthetic moral agency in world politics

“Winning the Peace”: The Role of International Peace Settlements in the Creation of World Orders – A “Geopolitical Marxist” Perspective

For the discipline of International Relations (IR), the study of International Peace Settlements (IPS) for the organization of postwar international orders has thus far primarily been the purview of realist, liberal, and constructivist approaches. To date, Marxist approaches have tended to either ignore the significance of IPS in the formation of new global orders or have been inscribed into longer-term overarching processes – namely, the reified consequences of the development of capitalism. These proclivities have had the unwelcome effect of subsuming the role historical agents have played in the devising of international ordering strategies under preordained universal “laws of motion” and downplaying the broader efficacy of foreign policymaking in the building of world order. This paper proposes to rectify this Marxist lacuna by highlighting how adopting an approach that elaborates on the principles of Geopolitical Marxism (GPM) in IR can overcome these shortcomings. The paper argues that a radical historicist methodology for analysing these important world-historical junctures retrieves the significance of contextualized agency within the historical materialist tradition and overcomes the issues beholden to structuralist Marxist approaches.

Yet another turn? priotising the needs of diplomacy over the capabilities of generative AI

AbstractIn this forum piece, we argue that the widespread heraldry regarding artificial intelligence (AI) as a panacea in diplomacy and articulating research agendas on the changes it might bring are potentially clouding the future hardships of diplomacy. With all its subfields, International Relations (IR) has gone through numerous “turns”, especially during the last two decades which made encounters poised to change the nature of foreign policy—such as new actors, ideas, or technologies—a familiar experience. While these discussions enriched the discipline of IR, hardly any of these turns lived up to their promises. Certainly, we have an increasingly challenging and complex multipolar world ahead of us. This manifests that a broader network of actors, interests, and technologies needs to be considered. AI, indeed, has the potential capacity to assist and disrupt the ways diplomacy works. Yet heralding an anticipatory practice and study of diplomacy based on AI’s socio-technical imaginaries and calculations rather than as a participatory process centered on immediate human interaction, resources, intelligence, and rapport bears the potential of obscuring the analytical clarity needed. In short, we argue that the rise of AI should not be discussed as yet another new turn poised to cure diplomacy and international relations. We conclude our piece by reminding scholars to bring analytical focus on what lies at the heart of diplomacy.

Is Digital Diplomacy a Good Tool for Resolving International Conflicts

The use of digital platforms in diplomacy has transformed the ways in which diplomacy is conducted. The advancement of communication channels and the widespread use of digital tools have contributed to the expansion of communication, leading to discussions regarding its potential impacts on conflict resolution. However, the profound influence of digital communication on public diplomacy is significant. Meanwhile, digital diplomacy, although advantageous in certain aspects, is limited in its ability to reproduce the intricate dynamics observed in in-person interactions. This paper examines the effectiveness of digital diplomacy in conflict resolution. Using various sources from the disciplines of international relations, business studies, medicine, communication studies and computer science, this paper studies the psychological, geographical, and technological benefits and drawbacks of digital diplomacy. After a thorough comparison of various literature from the aforementioned disciplines, the paper arrives at the conclusion that in order to arrive at effective conflict resolutions, diplomats should take a predominantly traditional approach while using some form of digital diplomacy.

Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Practical Normativity/Normality:Investigating Practices beyond the Public Space.

This essay examines how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies may shape international norms. Following a brief discussion of the ways in which AI technologies pose new governance questions, we reflect on the extent to which norm research in the discipline of International Relations (IR) is equipped to understand how AI technologies shape normative substance. Norm research has typically focused on the impact and failure of norms, offering increasingly diversified models of norm contestation, for instance. But present research has two shortcomings: a near-exclusive focus on modes and contexts of norm emergence and constitution that happen in the public space; and a focus on the workings of a pre-set normativity (ideas of oughtness and justice) that stands in an unclear relationship with normality (ideas of the standard, the average) emerging from practices. Responding to this, we put forward a research programme on AI and practical normativity/normality based on two pillars: first, we argue that operational practices of designing and using AI technologies typically performed outside of the public eye make norms; and second, we emphasise the interplay of normality and normativity as analytically influential in this process. With this, we also reflect on how increasingly relying on AI technologies across diverse policy domains has an under-examined effect on the exercise of human agency. This is important because the normality shaped by AI technologies can lead to forms of non-human generated normativity that risks replacing conventional models about how norms matter in AI-affected policy domains. We close with sketching three future research streams. We conclude that AI technologies are a major, yet still under-researched, challenge for understanding and studying norms. We should therefore reflect on new theoretical perspectives leading to insights that are also relevant for the struggle about top-down forms of AI regulation.

The Three Points of a Circle

This paper begins from the premise that a key element in comprehending the discipline of International Relations lies in the understanding of state behaviour. This constitutes the main objective of this paper, which focuses on the limited scope of examining one aspect of state behaviour, foreign policy. Foreign policy is examined through the interconnected lenses of ideology and discourse. The argument developed is that ideology sustains foreign policy through the provision of the foundational support that it requires for its perpetuation and through the creation of an overarching narrative that not only explains, but also justifies foreign policy choices. In this context, the concepts of state identity and interests are elevated as two fundamental elements of state behaviour, which are narratively procured via ideology and define the aims of foreign policy and the means of pursuing them. The paper makes clear that the ideological underpinnings of foreign policy require the crucial contribution of discourse as an intervening variable that allows for the narrative performance of identity and the pursuit of foreign policy ends, dictated by identity. Security is conceptualised and exemplified through discourse, with the latter becoming an indispensable element not only of foreign policy, but also of state survival.

About PanAfrican Journal of Governance and Development

PanAfrican Journal of Governance and Development (PJGD) is a peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal of Jimma University that publishes editorials, research articles, book reviews, commentaries, and notes. PJGD offers a platform for the expression of new scientific inquiries to intellectuals of the world in general and Africa & Ethiopia in particular to reflect on how governance and development can be promoted, strengthened, and consolidated. The biannual edition is published in February and August of each year only in English language. PJGD is APC Free Journal.
 PJGD accepts scientific works focused on the diversified areas of Governance and Development drawn from multiple disciplines of Political Science and International Relations, Public Management, Leadership, Development Economics, Environmental Governance, Peace and Conflict, Human Rights, National and International Law, Globalization, Public Policy, Regional and International Organizations, Gender, Peace and Conflict Management, International Political Economy, Multiculturalism, Civil Society, and related areas.

Wager upon wager: Assessing Iver B. Neumann’s contribution to International Relations

A key player in the Scandinavian rise in the International Relations discipline, Iver B. Neumann has made significant contributions to several research programs, from Russian and European identity politics to practice theory and discourse analysis, through longue durée analyses of governmentality and diplomacy. At the theoretical level, Neumann has borrowed multiple social-theoretical resources that have allowed him to make a variety of epistemological and ontological wagers as his gaze shifted from one topic to the next. Original and wide-ranging as it is, this scholarship is also full of tensions that illustrate the value and pitfalls of a pragmatic attitude to theorizing. By revealing Neumann as an intellectual fox (in Berlin’s sense), we critically assess his scholarship, including the epistemological stretches it contains and the many difficult challenges that it struggles to meet. Overall, Neumann’s overarching method, which he consistently follows despite all its internal contradictions, seems to be what anthropologists call to “make strange”—a relentless drive to transform the conventional, habitual, and self-evident into a puzzle, and then make this puzzle relevant to, or have import for, both scholarly debates and contemporary political practice.

The Longue Durée of International Environmental Norm Change: Global Environmental Politics Meets the English School of International Relations

Abstract The purpose of this article is to introduce English School (ES) theory to the study of global environmental politics (GEP). The ES is an established theoretical tradition in the discipline of international relations (IR) but is not widely known, let alone used, in GEP. My aim is to overcome this state of neglect and suggest ways in which ES theory can enrich the study of international environmental affairs. I argue that ES theory makes at least two major contributions to the study of global environmental politics: first, it helps counterbalance the presentist focus in GEP scholarship, shifting our attention toward long-term historical patterns of normative change, and second, by distinguishing between different levels of international change, it opens up an analytical focus on environmentalism as a part of the international normative structure. In doing so, ES theory directs our attention to the interaction and mutual shaping between environmentalism and other fundamental norms of international society.

The regional powers research program: a new way forward

This introduction to our special issue on Revisiting Regional Powers examines ways in which the study of regional powers can enhance our ability to understand the dynamic nature of the international system today. The article, first, summarizes and highlights how the study of regional powers remains relevant to the broader discipline of international relations but also indicates that there remains much to improve and investigate, for instance by more systematically including less traditional issue areas for regional power engagement, including the environment or public diplomacy, by integrating disciplines beyond IR, including sociological and linguistic approaches. In today’s shifting global order, researching regional powerhood is needed for a better understanding of the emergence of order(s); by highlighting, for example, less-than-global forms of cooperation and conflict, and their often-complex simultaneities. We highlight the need to investigate forms of power beyond increases in military and economic power, but also to expand the types of actors beyond the state that we consider taking on functions of regional powerhood.

Turkey's gender gap in higher education: An analysis of IR doctoral students

This article assesses gender research patterns among Ph.D. students in International Relations (IR) discipline in Turkey with a particular focus on women. We examined 622 IR doctoral dissertations accepted by institutions of higher education in Turkey between 2009 and 2019. We found a statistically significant gender-based pairing among students and advisors, in addition to a higher number of male students and advisors, which suggests greater male visibility in graduate school and academia. Dissertation keyword analysis shows that similar topics are studied by both men and women, and reveals a noticeable absence of gender-sensitive issues, even among the work of female researchers. The striking omission of feminist IR reveals the importance of ‘minding the gap’ in contexts outside of the Western domain.

Unmasking International Relations in the Times of War in Africa: Beyond Rhetoric, Reality and Trust

This paper unmasks the concept of international relations using the lenses of realist school of thought. Relations of nation states towards each other, and with international organisations, including sub national entities is what international relations (IR) is all about (Antunes and Camisao, 2018; Adams, 2003; Wendt, 1992; Axelrod and Keohane 1993). The significance of IR in the contemporary world, as it were in the past cannot be overemphasized. It seeks to comprehend the roots of war and the preservation of peace both stemming from the nature and exercise of power within the global system. To this effect, the discipline of international relations comprises of numerous theories, each attempting to explain the power relations and the resultant behaviour of nation states on the international scene. Of particular interest to this article is how the realism theory of IR enhances the prospects of cooperation within the international environment and the realists’ main obstacles to achieving cooperation in international development. As one of the many theories in the IR discourse, Realism claims to explain the reality of international politics. Realists believe that sovereign states are the principal actors on the international political system, having at their disposal justifiable actions or tools for the protection of their interests. Proponents of realism argue that states are unitary and rational actors of importance seeking to secure their survival through reliance on their own means even if it meant war (Glaser, 1994; Brown, 2007; Milner, 1992).Drawing from secondary sources of data and using a desk top review approach, this study found that realists come close to explaining the actual happenings on the IR scene i.e. the survival of the state at all costs, also called the ethics of responsibility rather than by moral principles as other theorists argue. Realism as a school of thought in the IR discourse has generated a significant volume of debate and criticisms igniting valuable insights and remains an important analytical tool for stakeholders in IR.

Implementation of Active Methodologies in International Relations Through Cinema: Experience From Project-Based Learning in Graduate School

The article describes the results of the educational innovation project “Implementation of active methodologies in the Master’s Degree in International Journalism through cinema”,1 which aims to develop the transversal lines of the Master’s Degree in International Journalism based on the application of innovative tools in subjects of Module I and II, as well as to enhance sensitivity and awareness of Cultural Diversity and Human Rights. The methodology used is discussion through the Cinema-Forum format and pre- and post-forum questionnaires are used to evaluate the results. As a conclusion, it can be deduced that the film-forum is a tool that enables the development of transversal competencies based on the interaction process resulting from the activity as an effective complement to graduate courses in the discipline of International Relations.

PERSONAL DIPLOMACY AND GREEK FOREIGN POLICY

Personal diplomacy refers to a situation where a nation’s top leadership and senior officials actively involve themselves in the diplomatic efforts of their government and directly communicate with other countries’ leadership and senior officials. Despite its highly personalized domestic political system, the literature lacks an analysis of Greek foreign policy in terms of personal diplomacy and this study aims to be a first step in this direction. After providing a conceptual analysis of this concept which has started to become popular in the discipline of international relations, the study will show how personal diplomacy was successfully adopted by Venizelos towards the Turkish government in the interwar period and why this practice failed in successive decades despite repeated attempts to solve problems with Turkey through leadership communication. The hypothesis of the study is that personal diplomacy is a necessary but not sufficient element for sincere dialogue between Greece and Turkey, yet it may constitute an effective method to overcome misunderstandings between the parties.

HISTORY, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE: A REVIEW ARTICLE

This literature review of a number of most cited Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) articles and a number other works delves into the interconnection between history and the discipline of International Relations (IR), with a focus on the Ottoman Empire. The connection between history and IR has been the subject of extensive academic investigation and discussion, as past events and processes have considerably impacted the theoretical and conceptual basis of IR. The study of IR has undergone significant transformations over time, with an increasing acknowledgement of the role of history in shaping the discipline's advancement. Consequently, many scholars have investigated how historical events have impacted IR theory and practice. This review article aims to explore the interaction between history and IR, using the Ottoman Empire as a case study. The Ottoman Empire is a valuable case for examining the relationship between history and IR since it was one of the most influential empires in world history, significantly shaping international politics during its time. Its legacy continues to impact contemporary debates on issues such as nationalism, sovereignty, and state-building. Overall, this review article aims to contribute to a better understanding of the intricate relationship between history and IR and points at the potential for further dialogue between the two fields.

The Evolution, Achievements, And Prospects Of The Chinese School Of International Relations Theory

Over the past fifty years, the discipline of International Relations in China has undergone continuous evolution. Chinese scholars have transitioned their focus from translating, introducing, and disseminating Western theories to delving into the creation of an international relations theory uniquely shaped by Chinese characteristics. While progress has been made in formulating a distinct Chinese international relations theory, there are still areas of inadequacy that require attention. This article aims to critically examine the theoretical development and accomplishments of the "Chinese School" in International Relations theories while also presenting its perspectives on the future direction of International Relations theories in China.

The "UFO Taboo" Is What IR Theorists Make of It: "Sovereignty and the UFO" in Citational Perspective.

In 2008, Alexander Wendt and Raymond Duvall published an article titled "Sovereignty and the UFO," which demonstrated how a UFO taboo in international relations theory upheld an anthropocentric model of sovereignty. At a distance of a decade and a half, this review evaluates the validity of the claim that a UFO taboo exists in international relations, and explores the citational practices that influence the prestige economy of the field. The article employs a methodology of interpretive scientometrics informed by methodological debates in political science and international, as well as theoretical debates in actor-network theory. After testing the claim of the UFO taboo in a comparative perspective, the article investigates the strategies of association (weak and strong) present in the citations of "Sovereignty and the UFO." In addition to a revaluation of core claims in an often-read but less-often-cited article in international relations theory, this article provides important insights into how citation works in the discipline of international relations.

An Assessment in terms of Critical Realism: Does the Discipline of International Relations have Hair?

Çalışma uluslararası ilişkiler disiplininde verili kabul edilen büyük tartışmaları, beşinci tartışmanın kavram setiyle ilk dört tartışmayı açıklamaktır. Çalışma, Newton mekaniğini kendi düşüncesine uyarlayan Hume’cu bakışın öne çıkardığı dünyadan kaynaklı yaşanan tartışmaların disiplinini tekdüzeleştirdiğini savunmaktadır. Bu sebepten dolayı ilk dört tartışmanın sebebi olan yapıdan bağımsız olarak disiplinin ilerlemesi tartışmalar özelinde tekrar tanımlanabilir mi? sorusuna cevap aramıştır. Soruya cevap bulmak için eleştirel realizm ile uyumlu karmaşıklık ve kuantum teorilerinin kavram seti açıklayıcı araştırmanın basamaklarında kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın sonunda söz konusu kavram setiyle ilk dört tartışmanın açıklanabildiği ve açıklayıcı araştırma basamaklarıyla literatüre farklı bir açıdan yanaşma ihtimali görülmüştür. Ayrıca farklı disiplinlere ait kavramların kullanımıyla ontolojik olarak bilimin birliğine destek verilmiştir.

Leon Trotsky and the political conundrum of international relations

In this article we identify the ways in which Leon Trotsky’s ideas constitute a powerful resource to understand the contemporary crisis of international relations and its historical roots in the 20th century. Trotsky’s concept of uneven and combined development has already been highlighted as a signal contribution by an established scholarship in and around the discipline of International Relations. While this is a welcome development, we contend that it has come at a significant cost, detaching Trotsky’s theoretical insights from his revolutionary politics. We employ a different mode of engagement with Trotsky’s ideas, focusing on the theory of Permanent Revolution as an expression of an original analysis of the dialectic between the national and the international. Far from being a theoretically detachable and politically erroneous appendage to the more fundamental and applicable concept of uneven and combined development, we argue that Permanent Revolution constitutes its necessary culmination, as well as Trotsky’s most significant contribution to classical Marxism. We then elucidate how, writing in the first half of the 20th century and applying his theory of Permanent Revolution, Trotsky was able to diagnose certain essential lines of political development – the rise and ongoing breakdown of American hegemony, the political degeneration and collapse of the Soviet Union, and the emergence and failure of the postcolonial independent nation states – tracing the long and crisis-ridden trajectory of international relations from the second half of the 20th century down to today.