ABSTRACT
Most part of what we know about theory of international relations is geographically and time bound. Mainstream approaches, taught in universities globally, originated in the West in the 20th century; philosophical ideas they are based on have also been mostly laid out by Western philosophers in times of the Westphalian world order. Isn’t such theoretical knowledge biased?
It may be the case, as proponents of non-Western approaches argue, that what we teach at the universities as theories of international politics, are, in fact, theories reflecting Western visions and concepts; and thus are designed to preserve Western dominance.
Meanwhile, the world of international politics is changing and becoming increasingly non-Western. This chapter reviews some of alternative, non-Western or post-Western, ways of thinking about international relations. Chinese, Islamic, Russian versions of IR theory, as well as the Global South perspective may provide additional views and emphases in comprehending international politics and designing foreign policies of states.
