IR2501 THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

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IR2501THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

• Lecture 16
• Neo-Gramscian Theory

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Key FigureRobert W. Cox

• Principal Elements
• Nature of Theory Theory is always for someone
  and for some purpose.
• Two distinct purposes of theory (a) to be guide
  to help solve the problem posed within a
  particular perspective and (b) reflecting upon
  the process of theorising itself.

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Two Kinds of Theory

• Problem-solving Theory
• Takes the world as it finds it
• Make relationships and institutions work smoothly
• Ceteris paribus assumption
• Fixed reality
• Assumption of value neutrality

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Two Kinds of Theory(Continued)

• Critical Theory
• Stands apart from the prevailing order
• Asks how that order came about
• Questions the ceteris paribus assumption
• Changing reality
• Value commitment

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Distinction

• Mainstream IR
• Stable world
• Study of inter-relationships among states in
  which nation-states are the principal
  aggregations of political power
• War and peace

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Distinction(Continued)

• Critical IR
• Change in IR
• Different kinds of states and non-state entities
• Multiplicity of goals
• Greater complexity

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Frameworks of ActionHistorical Structures
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Three Spheres of Activity

• 1. Organisation of Production (Social forces
  engendered by the production process).
• 2. Forms of state (Derived from different
  state/society complexes).
• 3. World Orders (Particular configurations of
  forces)

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Social Forces

• Material Capabilities
• Ideas
• Institutions

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Material Capabilities

• Technological and organisational
• capabilities, natural resources, stocks of
• equipment (industries and armaments),
• and wealth

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Ideas

• Two Kinds
• (1) inter-subjective meanings shared notions of
  the nature of social relations which influence
  habits and expectations of behaviour

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Ideas

• (2) Collective images of social order held by
  different groups of people (nature of power
  relations, meanings of justice and public good)

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Institutions

• Reflect the power relations at any given time.
  Institutionalisation is a process of stabilising
  a particular order.

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Institutions

• Close connection between institutionalisation
  and hegemony Institutions provide ways of
  dealing with conflicts so as to minimise the use
  of force).

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Institutions

• Hegemonic strategy to allow representation of
  diverse interests

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COXIAN TRIAD
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Two Key Questions

• What are the mechanisms for maintaining hegemony
  in this particular historical structure?
• What social forces and/or forms of state have
  been generated within it which could oppose and
  ultimately bring about a transformation of the
  structure?

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Three Developments

• Internationalisation of the state.
• Internationalisation of production.
• Emergence of a transnational managerial class.

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Three Possible Scenarios

• New Hegemony
• Non-hegemonic order
• Counter-hegemony

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Robert W. Cox

• Key Text
• Production, Power and World Order Social
  Forces in the Making of History (1987)