Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Degree Discipline: International Relations'
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1
Freire, Lucas Grassi. "On the role of metatheory in the academic discipline of international relations." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/8321.
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This thesis investigates in three parts the role played by metatheory in the discipline of International Relations (IR). Part one defines metatheory as 'systematic discourse about theory' and classifies it in a typology combining elements internal or external to the discipline with intellectual or contextual aspects of theorising. Each combination has particular functions. They also add to the roles played by several modes of metatheoretical inquiry (hermeneutical, evaluative, corrective, critical and historical). The typology offered in part one clarifies the general roles of metatheory as a constraining and enabling discursive mechanism. This is also discussed in part two, addressing how IR scholars portray metatheory's role in the discipline. Arguments against and in favour of metatheory are scrutinised, leading to a qualified defence of metatheoretical research in IR. Some of the negative impact of metatheorising in IR is acknowledged, but ultimately a stronger case attempting to eliminate it from the field cannot be sustained for analytical reasons. The merits of metatheory, therefore, will depend on how it operates in particular instances. A selection of illustration cases in part three further develops the argument. The first case stresses how metatheoretical directives shaped 17th century views of the Holy Roman Empire. It indicates that metatheory can frame theoretical claims even in a weak disciplinary context. A stronger disciplinary environment frames the second case, analysing a number of IR theories on the impact of the Peace of Westphalia in the European states-system. This discussion often alludes to the notion of hierarchy. The third case examines the interaction between metatheoretical directives and theories of hierarchy. These arguments are not necessarily compatible with the metatheoretical principles argued by their authors. As a mechanism, therefore, metatheory does not relate to theory in a deterministic way. Part three itself is, of course, a metatheoretical study that further illustrates the thesis.
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Turton, Helen Louise. "The sociology of a diverse discipline : international relations, American dominance and pluralism." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/13868.
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The discipline of International Relations is frequently depicted as an American dominated discipline. This disciplinary self-image has become so entrenched that it is rarely questioned and operates as a ‘quasi-fact’ within the field. However, the manner in which this widespread claim has been put forth is largely speculative. There is a surprising lack of data verifying the prominent notion, and indeed the ‘evidence’ that does exist is largely out-dated and methodologically problematic. As such, this thesis attempts to remedy this dearth of data by systematically investigating if and how the United States dominates the discipline of IR. Rather than speaking of a generic and ambiguous form of dominance this thesis begins by disaggregating the concept of dominance and stating the ways in which an actor can potentially dominate and how this can be measured. What this crucially means is that the US may dominate in some ways and not others. Through exploring twelve of discipline’s international journals over a ten-year period from 1999-2009, and four international conferences from 2005-2011 it becomes clear that the central issue is not whether the United States dominates the discipline but the degree and manner in which it does. Through demonstrating the numerous current trends and inclinations in the discipline a complex image of the IR emerges; an image that challenges a number of prevalent assertions about the disciplinary character of IR. The findings presented illustrate how the discipline of IR is more international and more diverse than is commonly perceived, and yet how the discipline of IR still experiences certain forms of American dominance. This thesis aims to highlight the importance of perspective and consequently how we need to be more nuanced and reflective in the ways we characterize the discipline’s dominance claims. Overall this thesis aims to highlight the many dynamics occurring at different levels of the discipline, all of which shape the contours of the field and IR’s relationship with the American academy.
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Mathews, Julie. "The socialization of students from the developing world into the academic discipline of International Relations." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape7/PQDD_0025/MQ50543.pdf.
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Evans, Paul. "Towards a future theoretical collecticism? : challenging the positivist tradition in the Australian international relations discipline /." Title page, contents and introduction only, 1991. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09AR/09are918.pdf.
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Cunningham-Cross, Linsay Dawn. "In search of a Chinese school : ghostly encounters with the parochial/global discipline of international relations." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2014. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/in-search-of-a-chinese-school-ghostly-encounters-with-the-parochialglobal-discipline-of-international-relations(3f223973-1c17-4995-9d97-c3f010090b68).html.
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This thesis explores recent trends in Chinese international relations scholarship from the perspective of post-colonial and critical international relations theory. It begins by interrogating the now widespread view that ‘the discipline’ of international relations is profoundly Eurocentric. The claim to parochialism in international relations discourse is explained and substantiated through a critical re-reading of enduring myths in international relations discourse, which shape not only what we know to be international relations but how we mightknow it and who indeed the ‘we’ is that does the knowing. This research adopts a methodology of ghost hunting inspired by Avery Gordon’s work on ghosts and hauntings in the sociological imagination (Gordon 2008). It follows the meandering trail of a ghostly journey through international relations discourse, telling of multiple and conflicting encounters between Chinese international relations and the wider parochial/global discipline. In particular it examines recent debates surrounding the need for a distinctively Chinese approach to international relations research: a Chinese School of IR.Debates about the place of Chinese international relations research in the wider (parochial/global) discipline remain the focus of this research project. A close (re)reading of these debates reveals the many ways in which Chinese international relations discourse actively constructs ‘the discipline’ of international relations, singing it into life, whilst simultaneously unsettling the myths that make international relations possible. These trends are explored further through the use of two case studies of leading scholars – Yan Xuetong and Qin Yaqing – and the enduring debate between them (and between Chinese scholars in general) over whether or not China needs its own theory of international relations. The work of these two individuals has had a huge impact on wider trends within and about Chinese international relations. The thesis concludes with a return to the question of identity in international relations discourse and questions who is Chinese in the Chinese School and what are the implications of constructing ‘Chineseness’ through international relations discourse. I argue that the Chinese School project is perhaps best understood as an expression of contemporary Chinese nationalism.
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de, Felice Damiano. "Explaining variation in the degree of internalisation of political conditionality : the cases of France and the United Kingdom." Thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), 2014. http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/3140/.
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This dissertation shows that and explains why two European Union (EU) Member States, namely France and the United Kingdom (UK), differ in the degree of internalisation of political conditionality. The dissertation is divided into two parts. The first part assesses the degree of internalisation of political conditionality. Following a three-fold measurement framework, the thesis examines French and British policies, legal documents and behaviour. The analysis of behaviour concentrates on four cases of EU aid sanctions: Madagascar 2009, Mozambique 2009, Nicaragua 2008 and Zimbabwe 2002. France and the UK differ significantly. France has not officially endorsed political conditionality, generally does not insert human rights clauses in its developing agreements, and is recurrently among the donors which take a soft stance in response to recipient governments’ abuses. The UK has adopted a fully-fledged policy requiring partner governments to respect human rights and basic democratic principles, has consistently included human rights clauses in its development agreements and often belongs to the group of hardliners in favour of the application of aid sanctions. The second part of the dissertation explains these differences. Given the complexities of aid decision-making, the thesis adopts an “analytic eclectic” approach and tests four alternative hypotheses derived from realism, international constructivism, liberalism and sociological institutionalism. The examination of the cases studies and more than 100 interviews with diplomats, aid officials and representatives from nongovernmental organisations show that the higher accountability of aid decisionmakers and social pressure by like-minded donors (in particular Nordic countries) have played the most significant role in generating deeper internalisation of political conditionality by the UK. While organisational cultures cannot explain the extent of internalisation of political conditionality, their differences are helpful to understand the characteristics of the cases when political conditionality is applied more reluctantly. Evidence is not sufficient to confirm the hypotheses based on material interests, Commonwealth influence and aid modalities.
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Hartman, Erica. "Narrating the War on Terror: Reproducing the Patriarchy through Securitization and Discipline of Female Bodies." Ohio University Art and Sciences Honors Theses / OhioLINK, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouashonors1556290142380571.
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Su, Fen. "Emotional labour in the hospitality industry a case study in an international Auckland hotel : this dissertation is submitted to Auckland University of Technology in partial fulfilment of the degree of Master in International Hospitality Management, December 2005." Full Dissertation. Abstract, 2005.
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Begg, Jeanine. "Conceptualising the nature of relations between the European Union and Japan : using the frameworks of identity and rational choice analytic narratives as a means to interpret this dynamic relationship, 1990-2005 : a thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in European Studies in the University of Canterbury /." Thesis, University of Canterbury. National Centre for Research on Europe, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/1957.
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This thesis explores the bilateral relationship between the European Union (EU) and
Japan as interregional partners and as united global actors. The principal aim is to
navigate the nature of relations between these two diverse entities asserting that ideology,
culture and identity formation contribute significantly to the joint policies undertaken by
these two groups. The theoretical assumptions of this thesis are discussed in parallel to
observable phenomena relative to the nature of relations between the EU and Japan,
1990-2005. This research analyses EU and Japan interactions from the Joint Declaration
1991 and including the Action Plan 2001 and aims to use the theoretical concepts of
Identity. The frameworks of the Four Point Plan and the Analytic Narrative are
appropriate to gain insight to the nature of these relations. Both the Four Point Plan and
the Analytic Narrative are broad in scope but defined in nature, thus they are most
suitable for the purpose of this analysis. This multidisciplinary approach enables the
deconstruction of the influence held by 'identity' in domestic and international policy,
outlining that policy influences such as preference and 'stories'! affect the relationship
between the EU and Japan. This modem research angle serves to emphasise the
uniqueness of the EU and Japan as international actors. The United States and rise of
China act as intervening variables, and their secondary role highlights the changing
global environment over this period.
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Cunha, Raphael C. "Financial Globalization & Democracy: Foreign Capital, Domestic Capital, and Political Uncertainty in the Emerging World." The Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu149434486657801.
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Diwan, Naazneen S. "Female Legal Subjects And Excused Violence: Male Collective Welfare Through State-Sanctioned Discipline In The Levantine French Mandate And Metropolis." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1222186748.
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Huerta, Antoine. "La géographie, ça sert aussi les relations culturelles internationales : le cas de Pierre Deffontaines, un géographe français aux Amériques (1934-1967)." Thesis, La Rochelle, 2016. http://www.theses.fr/2016LAROF001.
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L’action de Pierre Deffontaines au service des relations culturelles entre la France et les Amériques entre 1934 et 1967 est relativement méconnue du grand public et des spécialistes. Le rôle qu’il a joué dans des structures universitaires à l’étranger comme ‘exportateur’ de la géographie française en particulier, a très peu retenu l’attention des scientifiques. La question universitaire en France et à l’étranger, peut être abordée, en ce qui le concerne, des points de vue épistémologique, administratif et politique. L’étude conduite dans cette thèse porte sur les relations scientifiques et culturelles entre la France et les pays d’Amérique, du Nord comme du Sud à compter des années 1930. Cet espace atlantique, riche pour ce qui est des relations universitaires dans la partie centrale du XXe siècle, nous permet d’étudier le cas transversal dans cette étude d’un géographe chrétien rejeté dans son pays par ses pairs, tenants de la géographie officielle. Les travaux américains de ce géographe, couronnés de succès au Brésil, ont donné lieu à d’autres actions en Amérique latine (Uruguay, Argentine en particulier) et au Canada. Ses travaux canadiens, administratifs et scientifiques restent, aujourd’hui encore, une référence dans la géographie canadienne et s’inscrivent dans une période où l’influence scientifique française au Québec était grande. Durant ses missions et sur les différents terrains américains, la géographie de Deffontaines a été fortement marquée par ses voyages transatlantiques. Ce travail cherche à comprendre comment, durant toutes ces années au service de la France et de la géographie, Pierre Deffontaines profita de ses déplacements pour mettre en place et diffuser une géographie métisse en évolution constante. S’il subit en quelque sorte l’attraction de l’Amérique, nous avons montré en quoi ses réseaux, tout autant que sa personnalité, son talent et sa formation initiale, ont eu un rôle signifiant dans ce processus d’exportation-importation scientifique. « Expérience du déplacement, déplacement de l’expérience », de là a procédé pour l’essentiel son métier de géographePierre Deffontaines’ action in the context of international cultural relations between France and the Americas between 1934 and 1967 is relatively unknown to the general public and specialists. In particular the role he played in university structures abroad as an ‘exporter’ of French geography has been paid very little attention by scientists. The academic question in France and abroad, can be addressed from different points of view : epistemological, administrative and political. This dissertation's primary objective it to focus on the scientific and cultural relations between France and America's countries (North and South) after 1930. Through considering this Atlantic area, which was rich in terms of academic relations during the mid-twentieth century, this thesis advances the case for a transversal study. While in France Deffontaines was rejected by his peers, who were mainly supporters of an official geography, he was successfulness abroad. The American aspect of his work was esteemed and successful in Brazil. It led to other actions in Latin America (Uruguay, Argentina in particular) and Canada. A focal point in the emergence of the field of geography in Canada is that French scientific influence was great in Quebec. And Deffontaines' Canadian works, administrative as well as scientific, are still today a reference in Canadian geography. During Deffontaines' missions in various American lands, his geography was strongly influenced by his transatlantic voyages. This work considers how, in all these years in the service of France and geography, Pierre Deffontaines took advantage of his trips to develop and disseminate a constantly evolving métis geography. If America could hold a form of attraction for Deffontaines, his social networks, as well as his personality, his talent and his initial training, also had a significant role in the process of import-export of French geography. "Experience of mobility, mobility of experience", from there essentially proceeded his practice of geography
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Mowell, Barry D. "Degree and Patterns of Formal NGO Participation within the United Nations Economic and Social Committee (ECOSOC): An Appraisal of NGO Consultative Status Relative to Political Pluralism." FIU Digital Commons, 2017. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3213.
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The United Nations (UN) has invested increasing levels of effort in recent decades to cultivate a more effective, diverse and democratic institutional culture via the inclusion of and interaction among international civil society organizations (CSOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to supplement the traditional role of states as the primary transnational actors. The principle vehicle for the UN-civil society dynamic is the consultative status (CS) program within the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), wherein a diverse range of nearly 5,000 transnational organizations ostensibly participate.
This research examined patterns of participation and the nature/level of CSO/NGO involvement within the UN, with particular focus upon ECOSOC. In examining participation patterns, the research identified patterns related to geographical/proportional representation among developed and developing regions and world regions in general and also as related to policy/issue areas represented. In terms of involvement, the research sought to assess the types and degree of contributions being made by CSOs/NGOs in association with the UN. To address both areas, the research employed a two-prong methodology including (1) a detailed analysis of the UN’s online integrated Civil Society Organizations (iCSO) database and (2) a comprehensive survey questionnaire mailed to a randomly-selected sample of 10% of all organizations holding consultative status with UN-ECOSOC.
The findings challenge the assumption that UN association with international civil society has realized pluralist ideals in that substantial variations were found to exist in the representation of policy/issue areas, with some areas far better represented than others. Perhaps more importantly, the research revealed that only a minority of organizations in the ECOSOC-CS program appear to be actively/regularly engaged with the UN, with a large minority of CS-accredited organizations engaged only periodically or to a more limited extent, and a substantial minority not participating/interacting in any way. Rather than exemplifying pluralism within the constructivist tradition, findings imply support for liberal institutionalist theories in that decades-long expansion of IGO influence has facilitated a corollary expectation of expanding international civil society and an associated expectation of linkages between transnational governance and democratic institutions on the one hand and transnational civil society on the other as a standardized norm.
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Keizer, Kornelis Bote. "Effective engagement : the European Union, liberal theory and the Aceh peace process : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Europen Studies in the University of Canterbury /." Thesis, University of Canterbury. National Centre for Research on Europe, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/2486.
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Peace has finally come to Aceh. The Indonesian province has suffered for over 30 years through conflict with the Indonesian army. Instrumental in having achieved this peaceful outcome has been the role of the European Union (EU). Its crucial monitoring role and long term commitment had a profound impact on the province, helping to end the hostilities and to rebuild Aceh. The EU-led Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) is the central feature of this thesis.
Like Aceh, Europe has experienced wars. However, since the beginnings of Western
European institution building, peace and cooperation in the region transpired. This phenomenon has spread across the continent. The progressive structure enabled the EU to flourish as a cooperative institution, especially in the aftermath of the Cold War
east-west division. This period also gave the EU an opportunity to expand its peaceful legacy by exporting its values abroad. The development of the EU's external capability to deliver such aspirations is a central part of this thesis.
The thesis seeks to draw a connection with the EU's quest to bring peace to Aceh with international relations (IR) theory. As such, it assesses the EU's motives and interests in the Aceh peace process to discover what they were based on.
After assessing both realist and liberalist IR viewpoints, the thesis’ central findings confirm the liberal motives of the EU. The EU has predominantly acted in the interests of Aceh. It helped bring many liberal based values to the province and
experienced constructive relations with Indonesia and other powers in the region. Whilst realist orientated
EU power motives are outlined, the EU's liberal agenda based on mediation, peace and security, multilateralism, democracy and human rights - as core liberal elements - are more convincing explanations as this thesis argues.
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Lyons, Katherine. "0027: the EU : an international agent in Palestine? : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts in Politics at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand." Massey University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10179/1156.
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This thesis examines the ability of the European Union (EU) to impact on the Palestinian people and their institutions. Before using the formal concept of actorness to examine the extent of this impact, it presents a model of actorness that synthesises aspects of Bretherton and Vogler’s and Sjösjedt’s models. It uses the components of this model as a series of lenses through which to focus on and examine various facets of the EU’s influence. The analysis deals with diplomacy, aid, and the effects of the unexpected Hamas victory in the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections. The thesis finds that the EU’s early lack of diplomatic direction improved for a period but was limited by its consistent inability to have an effect if it ignored the US. In the field of aid, the EU has been a more successful actor. However, the EU’s best efforts in these spheres have been undone by two EU blunders. First, it classified Hamas as a terrorist organisation and subsequently felt unable to provide aid to a Hamas-run government. Second it joined the Quartet in the hope of increasing its own diplomatic clout, but found that it had given the US the opportunity to erode its ability to act as an independent financial agent.
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Boran-Krüger, Seda [Verfasser], and Arne [Herausgeber] Krueger. "Germany, the Ottoman Empire and the Armenian Question : Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy in the department of political science and international relations. / Seda Boran-Krueger." Berlin : epubli, 2017. http://d-nb.info/1139936093/34.
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GAMA, ISA. "Dinamiche Interculturali e Sviluppo: Mozambico e Cooperazione Internazionale Italiana." Doctoral thesis, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10280/987.
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Questo studio tratta dei rapporti della cooperazione internazionale per lo sviluppo che favorisce lo scambio tra culture. Si tratta di una ricerca socio-antropologica sull’orientamento cognitivo di entrambi gli attori della cooperazione: chi fornisce e chi riceve l’aiuto. Lo studio è realizzato su due fronti: in Mozambico, in un progetto di cooperazione, e in Italia con membri delle ONG. La tesi sostiene che la cooperazione non solo propone progetti atti a modificare una situazione nei PVS, ma unisce culture favorendo lo scambio di contenuti, opinioni divergenti, abitudini, ecc., trasformandoli in un continuo processo di ‘miscegenation’. La maggior parte delle ONG implementa progetti sul principio della sussidiarietà affrontando difficoltà per stimolare l’‘azione’ per apportare cambiamenti dal basso. La cooperazione è anche fautrice della fusione di culture che genera nuove correnti di pensiero, creando opinioni critiche nei confronti delle idee prevalenti, e provvede voce a movimenti sociali dal basso. In una macro-prospettiva, la globalizzazione continua ad avere un ruolo preponderante nei PVS: il Mozambico non è ancora decolonizzato. Il termine ‘sviluppo’ mantiene tuttora un pregiudizio evolutivo Eurocentrico, e non dovrebbe essere più associato alla crescita economica, e per ottenere un mondo equo non basta ‘empower’ i poveri, è necessario ‘disempower’ i ricchi.This study addresses the relationships on international cooperation for development that put cultures into motion. This is a socio-anthropological research that outlines the cognitive orientation of both sides in the international cooperation: who provides and who receives Aid. The locus of the investigation is an international cooperation project in Mozambique, along with interviews with Italian NGOs practitioners. The thesis argues that international cooperation not only provides projects apt to change situation in developing countries, but unites cultures that mutually exchange meanings, disagreements, habits, etc., in a continuous process of cultural ‘miscegenation’. Although most NGOs propose bottom-up approach to development, usually projects start from the top, and they face difficulties to stimulate the agency to change from below. International cooperation also generates new lines of though, and usually gives voice to counter-current social movements. In a macro perspective, globalization continues to play a dominant role in the poorest countries, and Mozambique has not been fully decolonized yet. The meaning of the term Development still maintains an Eurocentric and evolutionary bias. However, development should not be anymore associated to economic growth and if we really want to achieve an equal world, there is also the need to ‘disempower’ the rich.
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Zheng, Ruichen. "A percepção acadêmica chinesa sobre o Brasil e a relação bilateral: um estudo de dez maiores periódicos chineses (2003-2012)." Universidade de São Paulo, 2014. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/101/101131/tde-22102014-174231/.
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Este trabalho tem por objetivo principal estudar especificamente a percepção da academia chinesa em relação ao Brasil, bem como a relação entre os dois países. A análise tem por base a utilização de dez revistas acadêmicas chinesas na esfera de política/economia internacional, elaboradas por Think Tanks consagrados. O trabalho é composto por três partes. A primeira seção apresentará um quadro geral da disciplina Relações Internacionais na China e explicará também as principais funções de TTs da China. A segunda parte contém informações quantitativas obtidas pela análise dos periódicos, concentrando-se em três aspectos: a distribuição do tema, da região e do país; a quantidade de artigos que têm o Brasil como tema e, ainda, uma comparação da quantidade dos artigos de determinados países em relação ao Brasil. A título de conclusão, far-se-á uma revisão descritiva dos artigos encontrados sobre o Brasil, apresentando qual é a imagem do Brasil aos olhos da academia chinesa, e qual o seu posicionamento acerca da relação sino-brasileira.The main objective of this work is to study specifically the Chinese academic perception in relation to Brazil, as well as the relationship between the two countries. The analysis is based on ten Chinese academic journals in the field of international politics and economy, publicated by principal Think Tanks. It consists of three parts. The first section presents a general framework of the International Relations discipline in China and also explains the main functions of chinese foreign politics think tanks. The second part contains information obtained by quantitative analysis of the journals, focusing on three aspects: the distribution of the topic, the region and the country; the quantity of items about the Brazil and also a comparison of the amount of articles about Brazil and certain countries. In conclusion, a descriptive review of articles will be given, which is presenting Brazilian image in the eyes of the Chinese academy, and also his position on the China- Brazil relationship.
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Crawford, Robert Michael. "Irreconcilable differences?: idealism, realism and the problem of discipline in international relations." Thesis, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/8726.
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This thesis accepts the premise that something is amiss in international political
theory but, in contrast to numerous recent works, aims to provide more than a
eulogy, lament, or nostalgic retrospective on the field. Instead, it seeks to get at the
root cause of the problem.
I argue that the perennial malaise of international theory is a problem of
discipline, in both the ordinary and scientific sense. First, the field is in the grip of
unprecedented theoretical tumult, its practitioners in danger of drifting out of
familiar currents into a boundless sea of relativism. Second, the scientific status of
the discourse remains an issue of concern to many scholars. But the first group of
"theorists" promise us little more than diversity, while the second look for
theoretical shelter in the false haven of empirical science. The crisis of
international theory is thus inflamed by a misrepresented debate in which either
too much emphasis is placed on consensus, or too great a virtue made of
difference. Returning to the insights of E. H. Carr, I reconceptualize the problem of
theoretical consensus in international relations as an issue that is inherently
irresolvable and, at the same time, workable.
The thesis argues against the view that international relations cannot
achieve secure status as a discipline without attaining, or at least aspiring to
construct, a global empirical theory. Following Carr, I argue that there are deep and
enduring differences in international theory, differences that can always be
counted on to undermine the "panacea of a global explanatory theory"
(Hoffmann, 1960). These differences are traced, via Carr, to a basic antithesis
deriving from the contrasting requirements and standards of normative and
empirical theory. By the same token, however, I argue that differences that are
irreconcilable on their own theoretical terms can be reconciled within the broader
ambit of discipline, provided that the latter is understood as a community of
scholars united by basic human interests — the avoidance of war for example — and
not as a field of study amenable to the canons of science.
To demonstrate the argument, I undertake a study of neoliberalism,
focusing in particular on international regimes. I focus on neoliberalism because it
is the heir apparent to realism, and on regime theorists because of their explicit
attempt to reconcile idealist and realist perspectives. My critique of these
approaches concentrates on their open agenda to synthesize realist and liberal
international theory. I conclude that regime theory, as it is conceived by
neoliberals, disguises, but ultimately founders, on the irreconcilable theoretical
differences identified by Carr.
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Yang, Li-hsin, and 楊力行. "The Genealogy of the Discipline of International Relations from 1870s to 1940s." Thesis, 2014. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/15875825945168282273.
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碩士國立中山大學
政治學研究所
102
Michel Foucault argues that the Anthropologies or Social Sciences in modern times are constructed by the correlative constitiution of power and knowledge through the occurrence of historical events. Following this thought, the author attempts to realize how the discipline, International Relations, has been constructed by and with power in the history of modern times. Therefore, the author endeavors to extract the lines of force of the modern history via the governmentality of the Western countries since mid-1800s to 20th centry as the constitutive outside of International Relations. In the meanwhile, the author collects and exams the literatures of I.R. from 1870s to 1940s with the comtemporary history and the constitutive outside. By comparing the literatures with the perspective of power, knowledge, and histories mutually, the author verifies that the discipline, International Relations, is originated from modern times, and is dominated by or embedded with Physiocracy, Naturalism or Liberalism, and even racism.
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(11166954), Kuan-Sheng Wu. "THE QUALITY AND IMPACT OF PUBLIC OPINION IN A VULNERABLE DEMOCRACY: THE TAIWANESE CASE." Thesis, 2021.
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This dissertation focuses on the intersection of foreign policy, public opinion, and domestic politics in Taiwan, a relatively young democracy under persistent threat. It examines the influence of a variety of internal political forces on Taiwanese foreign policy and employs various methodologies. The dissertation contributes to the scant literature of weak state political behavior in political science. It sheds light on the nuances missing in research that focuses on major powers. Substantively, it integrates a variety of subfields including international relations, public opinion, public support for war, and Taiwan studies.Drawing from original surveys of activists and elites, the first study examines how public opinion on the Sunflower Movement, a nationwide movement led mostly by students, shaped the decisions of political leaders who were negotiating a major trade pact with China. The central finding from this case is that in some circumstances, public opinion could outweigh the importance of political factors such as elite rivalry in influencing the decision-making of political elites. The second study analyzes mass opinions regarding a hypothetical armed conflict with China. I find that generations, neglected in existing war support literature, play an essential role in shaping popular support for this conflict. Finally, I develop a novel theory of diversionary foreign policy pursued by asymmetrically weak states. Here, I show how Taiwanese leaders use aggressive foreign policy toward China to divert from domestic problems and garner public support. The major theoretical claims are that weak state leaders, for various reasons, often would use different types of diversionary tactics compared to their counterparts in major powers.
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Hoare-Vance, Stephen J. "Confucius institutes and China's evolving foreign policy : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Political Science [at] University of Canterbury /." 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/3619.
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Reese, James R. "In the den of nations : power transition and regional rivalry development : a thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Political Science in the University of Canterbury /." 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/1939.
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Dempster, Benjamin Paul. "Climate calculus : does realist theory explain the Howard Government's decision not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Policy at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand." 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10179/725.
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Climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions has the potential to cause widespread damage to the environment. As scientific and political consensus converged on the necessity to take action, a large number of countries negotiated the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1997, with the goal of limiting these emissions. Australia under the Howard Government initially played an important part in these negotiations, but refused to ratify the Protocol. The government cited the lack of binding targets on developing countries and the potential for harm to the Australian economy as the reasons it rejected the agreement. International relations theory studies large-scale political forces and analyses their interplay in the global political system. Realism is a model of international relations that views countries as self-interested, security-driven bodies that exist in a state of international anarchy. This study examines whether realist theory offers a satisfactory explanation for the Howard Government’s decision not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. The study focuses on six realist ideas and examines the evidence for each. Based on thematic analysis of textual data taken from official political archives and newspapers from 1998–2004, it suggests that realist theory does provide an adequate explanation of the Howard Government’s rejection of the Kyoto Protocol.