Scientific Realism and International Relations

by J. Joseph (Editor), C. Wight (Editor)

Overview

Critical and scientific realism have emerged as important perspectives on international relations in recent years. The attraction of these approaches lies in the claim that they can transcend the positivism vs postpositivism divide. This book demonstrates the vitality of this approach and the difference that 'realism' makes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781349316380
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	01/01/2010
Edition description:	1st ed. 2010
Pages:	258
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

BILL BOWRING is Professor of Law at Birkbeck College, University of London, UK, and is a practising barrister BOB JESSOP is Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Lancaster University, UK MILJA KURKI is Lecturer in International Relations theory at Aberystwyth University, UK, and currently the principal investigator of a European Research Council funded project 'Political Economies of Democratisation' DAVID LEON is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Minnesota, USA HEIKKI PATOMÄKI is Professor of International Relations at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and Innovation Professor of Human Security - Globalization and Global Institutions at the RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia DOUGLAS PORPORA is Professor of Sociology in the Department of Culture and Communication at Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA FARUK YALVAÇ is Associate Professor in the Department of International Relations at Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.

Table of Contents

Introduction; C.Wight & J.Joseph Reductionism, Emergence, and Explanation in International Relations Theory; D.Leon The International as Emergent: Challenging Old and New Orthodoxies in International Relations Theory; J.Joseph State Theory in International Relations: Why Realism Matters; M.Koivisto Inside the American State: Reconciling Structural and Interpretive Analyses Within a Critical Realist Perspective; D.Porpora What is Realism in International Law and Human Rights?; B.Bowring Is It Real? The Question of Juridical, Actual, and Causal Responsibility in Sovereign Debt Settlements; T.Hattori Critical Realism and the Analysis of Democratisation: Does Philosophy of Science Matter; M.Kurki Beyond the Closed vs. Open Systems Dichotomy. Exploring Possible and Likely Futures in Global Political Economy and Security; H.Patomaki Critical Realism, IR Theory and Marxism; F.Yalvaç World Market, World State, World Society: Scientific Realist Interrogations; B.Jessop Realism. For Real this Time: Scientific Realism is Not a Compromise between Positivism and Interpretivism; J.Rivas Notes Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

'Some of the most interesting new work in international relations scholarship is conducted under the banner of "scientific" or "critical" realism, and this book brings together many of the major figures in this field in a collection that will be required reading for senior scholars and students alike.' - Chris Brown, Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK

'This impressive book breaks new ground in articulating scientific realism and explaining its relevance to international relations theory. It offers exceptionally clear discussions of key epistemological and ontological issues in social theory, and demonstrates their significance for a range of substantive topics in the study of world politics, including international law, global governance, Marxism, and the state. A significant step forward for scientific realism in international relations.' David Dessler, Associate Professor of Government, The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, USA

'Thought provoking for anyone interested in the concept, which will open many avenues for theorizing in international relations in years to come, within and outside of critical theory circles.' - International Studies Review

From the Publisher