The discipline of International Relations was created with a purpose of helping policy-makers to build a more peaceful and just world. However, many of the current trends, post-positivism, constructivism, reflectivism, and post-modernism share a conception of international theory that is inherently incapable of offering significant guidance to policy-makers.
The Power of International Theory critically examines these approaches and offers a novel conventional-causal alternative that allows the re-forging of a link between IR theory and policy-making. While recognizing the criticisms of earlier forms of positivism and behavioralism, the book defends holistic testing of empirical principles, methodological pluralism, criteria for choosing the best theory, a notion of 'causality, ' and a limited form of prediction, all of which are needed to guide policy-makers.
This book will be an invaluable text for advanced students and researchers in the fields of international relations theory and the philosophy of social science.
The Power of International Theory critically examines these approaches and offers a novel conventional-causal alternative that allows the re-forging of a link between IR theory and policy-making. While recognizing the criticisms of earlier forms of positivism and behavioralism, the book defends holistic testing of empirical principles, methodological pluralism, criteria for choosing the best theory, a notion of 'causality, ' and a limited form of prediction, all of which are needed to guide policy-makers.
This book will be an invaluable text for advanced students and researchers in the fields of international relations theory and the philosophy of social science.
