ABSTRACT

This book provides an assessment of the legacy, challenges and future directions of Critical Theory in the fields of International Relations and Security Studies.

This book provides ‘first-hand’ interviews with some of the pioneers of Critical Theory in the fields of International Relations Theory and Security Studies. The interviews are combined innovatively with reflective essays to create an engaging and accessible discussion of the legacy and challenges of critical thinking. A unique forum that combines first-person discussion and secondary commentary on a variety of theoretical positions, the book explores in detail the interaction between different theories and approaches, including postcolonialism, feminism, and poststructuralism. Scholars from a variety of theoretical backgrounds reflect on the strengths and problems of critical theory, recasting the theoretical discussion about critical theory in the study of world politics and examining the future of the discipline.

Both an introduction and an advanced engagement with theoretical developments over the past three decades, Critical Theory in International Relations and Security Studies will be of interest to students and scholars of International Politics, Security Studies and Philosophy.

chapter 1|11 pages

Introduction

part I|90 pages

Interviews

part II|24 pages

Rethinking the Origins

chapter 7|12 pages

Vico Contra Kant

The Competing Critical Theories of Cox and Linklater

part III|44 pages

Debating the Limits

chapter 8|11 pages

Orientalism and the Poverty of Theory Three Decades on

Bringing Eastern and Subaltern Agency Back into Critical IR Theory

chapter 9|10 pages

Uncritical Theory 1

chapter 10|9 pages

What is Critical about Critical Theory Revisited?

The Case of Four International Relations Scholars and Gender

part IV|46 pages

Future Directions

chapter 12|13 pages

Beyond (Western) IR Theory

The Post-Colonial Tradition and the Restructuring of (Critical) IR Theory

chapter 13|11 pages

‘Come in, Make Yourself Uncomfortable!'

Some Thoughts on Putting Critical Theory in its Place

chapter 15|10 pages

Turning towards the World

Practicing Critique in IR