Alternative Approaches to IR:
Constructivism,
Post-colonialism,
The English School,
Postmodernism
3rd October 2024
Alternative Approaches to IR
• Contemporary international relations theories are
typically divided into 'liberal' and 'realist' approaches.
Realist and idealist theories are both useful in explaining
international relations. However, several alternative
approaches have been developed as well which includes
interdisciplinary methods within international law to
international organizations.
• This helps us not only to capture diverse nature of
international relations but to know how different
disciplines study international relations
Why we need Alternative Approaches to IR?
•To find a middle ground between the
opposing theories of realism and liberalism
•To address issues and concepts that are
neglected by mainstream theories particularly
realism
•To provide alternative explanations and
insights for world events
What is reality?
the quality or state of being real
A real event, entity, or state of affairs
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reality
resemblance to what is real
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/reality
France
Iran
India
Constructivism
• Our thoughts and actions construct international relations
• Actions, interactions and perceptions shape reality
• Reality is always under construction, and this opens the
prospect for change
• States can have multiple identities
• Ideas and beliefs that actors hold can change over time
• Identities and norms
Postmodernism
Postmodern philosophy is characterized by broad skepticism or relativism and a
general suspicion of reason. It also broadly asserts that Western intellectual and
cultural norms and values are a product of, or are in some sense influenced by, the
ideology of dominant or elite groups and at least indirectly serve their interests.
Postmodernism philosophy
www.britannica.com
• Modernity (Around 1890’s to around 1945)
The cultural response to this developmental change
scientific and technological / mechanical development and transformation
industrialization, economic growth, and development, urbanization,
secularization, mass education, literacy rate, occupational specialization,
social mobility, bureaucratization, and welfare system
• Post Modernism
An approach to reality
Idea of existing structures were just “established by human beings like the so
called “Truth” - The way and manner people in Africa or Europe understand
and interpret the world is different from each other due to different socio-
cultural backgrounds and individual perceptions
The theory rejected the notion of objective truth because the truth and
knowledge of reality depends on our understanding and representation of
reality - resistance struggles against established and imperial power blocs in
different parts of the world and influence of science and technology in
international relations.
Everything involving human beings is subjective in nature
Postmodernism
• Most radically transformative and interdisciplinary
intellectual movements
• Social reality is diverse, pluralistic, and constantly in
flux
• Each society has its regime of truth
• Not concerned with empirical evidences
• Denies the existence of any ‘ultimate principles’
• Incredulity toward metanarratives
What are metanarratives?
oGrand stories i.e. Marxism, Christianity etc
Postcolonialism
• Colonialism and imperialism fostered a long
process of continued domination of the West over
the rest of the world
• Perspectives of those who lack power
• The impact of colonial and imperial histories
• The disparities in global power and wealth
accumulation
• Hierarchical international order
• Injustices and oppressions
• Race, class and gender relations on a global scale
• West views on Islam - rise of political Islam
• Inferiority
"Just bury me in the ocean with my ancestors that jumped
from the ships because they knew death was better than
bondage“ - ???
The English School
International System International Society World Society
• Power politics • Group of like-minded • Great society of all
• International anarchy states mankind
• Common set of rules • Transcends the state
• Creation and system
maintenance of shared
norms, rules and
institutions
• Example: EU • Example: League of • Example: Regional
Nations &United Nations international societies
Thank you
Any questions, plz
