International Relations Theories Class 11

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is a key belief of critical theories in International Relations?

Knowledge in social sciences can be objective.

Scientific knowledge can be completely neutral.

All knowledge is influenced by cultural and ideological biases. (correct)

Analysts should focus solely on positive outcomes.

Which of the following figures is associated with the advocacy of ecocentrism?

Barry Buzan

John Doe

Ann Tickner

Robyn Eckersley (correct)

What aspect does post-positivism challenge in the study of International Relations?

The role of non-state actors.

The importance of feminist perspectives.

The applicability of ecological theories.

The objectivity of scientific knowledge. (correct)

Which of the following is a trend of environmental ethics contrasting with ecocentrism?

Anthropocentrism Signup and view all the answers

Which movement seeks to grant more rights to nature?

Earth First! Signup and view all the answers

What do green democrats believe enhances liberal democracy?

The modern environmental movement Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective argues that scholars may never fully understand social relations?

Radical approaches Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized by critical approaches in the study of International Relations?

The need to address neglected issues Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary goal of green democrats?

To defend supplementary rights such as environmental rights. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bary Buzan critique about traditional theories in International Relations?

They promote states as the only legitimate security agents. Signup and view all the answers

What concept is central to the Copenhagen School's approach to security?

Human security. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what do radical approaches like post-modernism argue?

Scholars influence the outcomes of international relations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a new legal principle proposed by green democrats?

The precautionary principle. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bary Buzan mean by 'insecurity politics'?

The idea that states sometimes create their own security problems. Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of state-centric security approaches as noted in the content?

They fail to address non-state actors. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Aarhus Convention (1998) promote?

Transboundary environmental procedural rights. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary belief of positivist methodology in International Relations?

Objective knowledge can be achieved through empirical research. Signup and view all the answers

How does post-positivist methodology differ from positivist methodology?

Post-positivism acknowledges the uniqueness of human beings. Signup and view all the answers

What do critical theorists reject about positivism?

The notion of value-free social science. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key focus of feminist approaches in International Relations?

Analyzing the position of women within a gender hierarchy. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of critical theory?

Promoting liberation from oppressive structures. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a core assumption of post-positivism?

Humans construct and interpret their own realities. Signup and view all the answers

In what way is critical theory similar to idealism?

Both advocate for progressive social change. Signup and view all the answers

What main aspects does feminist theory critique within International Relations?

The gendered nature of power dynamics. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

International Relations Theories

Class 11: Examines whether international relations theory is impartial.
Key Figures: Barry Buzan, Ann Tickner, Robyn Eckersley
Concepts: Ecocentrism, Post-positivism, Human Security, Feminism in international relations
Preamble:
- Introduces ecocentrism and feminism.
- Presents a critical understanding of security.
Critical Approaches:
- Argue that knowledge in social sciences is never truly neutral: influenced by culture, philosophy, ethics, and ideology.
- Contrast this with positivist approaches, which aim for objective study.
- Criticize existing international relations theory for overlooking important issues. Radical approaches, like postmodernism, argue that knowledge is impossible to obtain about social relations because scholars are part of the social world they are studying.
Ecocentrism:
- A part of environmental ethics.
- Other trends include anthropocentrism.
- Supported by non-state actors who advocate for more rights for nature (e.g. Earth First!, Voluntary Human Extinction Program).
- Increasingly considered by states as a solution to ecological crises.
Feminism in IR:
- Underscores the underrepresentation of women in international relations.
- Focuses on the importance of a gender perspective.
- Aims to highlight the inferior position of women in international relations.
Human Security:
- A new definition of security focused on individuals instead of states (proposed by Buzan, Wæver and de Wilde)
- Recognizes the social aspect of security.
Applying Critical Theory in International Relations:
- Critiques posit that existing theories are flawed because they ignore the social aspects of global issues.

Feminist Perspectives in International Relations

Few Women: The presence of women in the field of International Relations is limited.
Compulsory Reading: Students are advised to consult relevant readings for understanding feminist interpretations.
State-centric Understanding: Existing theories frequently overemphasize the role of states as security actors in international relations, promoting the idea that states are primary agents of security. This perspective is challenged.
Copenhagen School: Buzan (Copenhagen school) criticizes Realist and Liberal theories for oversimplifying the role of states in security. He argues that states perpetuate, rather than resolve, insecurity in the world.

Positivist Methodology

Scientific Approach: Positivist methodology in International Relations borrows from behavioralism and aims for a scientific approach to understanding the social and political world.
Objective Knowledge: Holds that objective knowledge of the social and political world is possible through careful testing of empirical propositions.
Methodology in IR: Emphasizes careful testing of empirical theories of international relations, similar to other scientific endeavors.

Post-Positivist Methodology

Human Beings: Post-positivism acknowledges the distinctiveness of human beings in international relations.
Shared Reality: Human beings interact and construct the world in which they live.
Social Science and Natural Science: Post-positivism distinguishes social science from natural science.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores the diverse theories and critical approaches in International Relations, emphasizing ecocentrism, feminism, and the role of knowledge in social sciences. Students will engage with key figures and concepts that challenge traditional views and seek a deeper understanding of security. Prepare to reflect on the implications of these theories in contemporary international relations.