Interesting points from Burchill and Linklater

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We need to understand the evolution of the sub-field in order to fit in the different theories of IR in a timeline. Since the birth of the sub-field, there has been so many changed over the years.

Burchill and Linklater gives a good account of the evolution of IR theory. They begin by mentioning the work of Carr and Morgenthau. They said both scholars developed a broad framework of analysis which distilled the essence of international politics from disparate events. They have provided the necessary theoretical tools needed to understand international political events.

The main point we should note in their work is the distinction between positivism and post-positivism. The distinction helps us to understand the various theories and scholars who helped contribute to the development of the sub-field.

Positivism talks about the scientific approach to studying international relations. The use of rational choice and game theory is influenced by the field of economics. Such systematic approaches helps one to understand the behaviour of states.

Burchill and Linklater said that the changed happened because theorist thought that the progress of the discipline was slow in comparison to the study of economics. Economics used a sophisticated methodology drawn from the natural sciences to test specific hypothesis, develop general laws and predict human behaviour.

For example, rational choice theorists say that history and culture are irrelevant to understanding political behviour. States act rationally based on their interest or states try to maximize their interest when they interact with another state.  

In the offshore detention deal with Australia, our interest is security. We wanted to help Australia address the urgent humanitarian and border security challenge presented to regional countries by people smuggling. The rational course of action we took was opening and reopening the Manus Island offshore processing centre.   



This approach is challenged by the post-positivist approach. With the changes caused by globalization and the rise of other civilizations, it was necessary to take a non-Western or non scientific approach to understanding how states behave. This led to the creation of theories which used economic, political, cultural, ethics and gendered perspectives.

Smith, Booth and Zalewski as cited in the chapter by Burchill and Linklater said that post-positivism in IR rejects the possibility of a science of IR which uses standards or proof associated with the physical sciences to develop equivalent levels of explanatory precision and predictive certainty. 

Apart from our interest, the understanding that it is wrong to smuggle human beings from one place to another under dangerous circumstances is deeply embedded in our mindset. This socially constructed norm has influenced us to make the decision to help Australia. 

Further more, Smith as cited in Burchill and Linklater, talked about the explanatory and constitutive nature of theories. He said theories seek to offer explanatory accounts of events. On the other hand, theories are constitutive, they are used to constitute a reality. 

The 'China threat' theory put forward by American scholars and analyst have establish the view that China is a threat. As such, all other countries should work together to make sure China does not progress and develop the resources it needs in order to become a preeminent threat.


The same can be said for Iran and North Korea. We do not know whether Iran or North Korean will be aggressive states once they develop their nuclear capability. But the theory that they will be a threat to all has influenced the behaviour of the US and its allies.

Another example that we can use to understand the constitutive nature of theories is the case of Iraq. The US and its allies invaded the country and forced a regime change because of the political system. They thought that democracy was the best form of government which will put an end to the gross abuse of human rights under the Hussein regime. This central tenet of the democratic peace theory is now being used in the case of Venezuela.

I hope you will find time to read the eBooks on theories of IR in order to help you understand the various theories and know the scholars. Also, we have a lot of book on the theories of IR in the library. 

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