International Relations. A self-Study Guide to Theory

Document Outline

• Cover
• International Relations
• Preface
• Contents
• Part I: International Relations’ Theory
• 1. History of theoretical thought on inter-state relations and the formation of “International Relations” as an academic discipline
  • Learning steps
  • Introduction
  • Step 1: International Relations from an historical perspective: Interstate theory and discipline formation
  • Step 2: The core subject of International Relations and International Relations theory
  • Step 3: Check your understanding: key aspects and review questions
  • Step 4: Self-study and consolidation
• 2. International Relations as science
  • Learning steps
  • Introduction
  • Step 1: Philosophy of science: the “theory behind theories” (meta-theory)
  • Step 2: Positivism as an example for a philosophy of science
  • Step 3: Check your understanding: Key aspects and review questions
  • Step 4: Consolidation
• 3. World views and the idea of science in the history of European philosophy
  • Learning steps
  • Introduction
  • Step 1: World views
  • Step 2: Scientific world views
  • Step 3: Self-study and consolidation
  • Step 4: Discussion (optional, for advanced students)
• 4. Didactics and method
  • Introduction
  • 1. Core question
  • 2. Ontological assumptions about actors and structures in international relations
  • 3. Epistemology and methodology
  • 4. General approach to IR as a science and to the practice of international politics
  • Overview of criteria for a structured learning process about theories of IR
  • Review questions
  • Consolidation
• Part II: Theories of International Relations: Five Approaches
• 5. Neorealist theory
  • Learning steps
  • Step 1: Background and core question
  • Step 2: Assumptions about actors and structure
  • Step 3: The neorealist explanation of international politics
  • Step 4: Check your understanding: key aspects and review questions
  • Step 5: Final self-study and consolidation
• 6. Neoinstitutionalist theory
  • Learning steps
  • Introduction
  • Step 1: Neoinstitutionalist theory as “modified structural realism”
  • Step 2: The neoinstitutionalist explanation of international politics
  • Step 3: Check your understanding: key aspects and review questions
  • Step 4: Final self-study and consolidation
• 7. New liberal theory
  • Learning steps
  • Introduction
  • Step 1: New liberalism as a “positive” IR theory: assumptions aboutactors and structures
  • Step 2: New liberalism as a general theoretical approach to IR
  • Step 3: Check your understanding: key aspects and review questions
  • Step 4: Final self-study and consolidation
• 8. World-systems analysis
  • Learning steps
  • Introduction
  • Step 1: World-systems analysis: ontological, epistemological and methodological claims
  • Step 2: World-systems analysis
  • Step 3: The modern world-system
  • Step 4: Check your understanding: key aspects and review questions
  • Step 5: Final self-study and consolidation
• 9. Social constructivist theory
  • Learning steps
  • Introduction
  • Step 1: The ontological status of “structure” as an unobservable and “object” of scientific inquiry
  • Step 2: The ontological status of “structure” as “made of ideas”: Common and collective knowledge (culture)
  • Step 3: Agency and social structure: Ontological interdependence as “mutual constitution”
  • Step 4: Explanation
  • Step 5: Check your understanding: Key aspects and review questions
  • Step 6: Final self-study and consolidation
• Instead of a conclusion: Invitation to a discussion
• Index