The ‘shifting’ nature of theory in international relations: why the future of the discipline is its Waltzian past
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Date
2014
Authors
Coetzee, Eben
Solomon, Hussein
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Within the discipline of International Relations (IR), ‘new’ conceptions of theory,
specifically those subscribing to, on the one hand, an inductivist and empiricist
conception of theory, and, on the other hand, a conception of theory as a loose
collection of variables, have ostensibly challenged the conception of theory as
advanced by Kenneth Waltz. The latter’s conception of theory, deeply embedded
within the philosophy-of-science literature, illustrates that the essential qualities of
theories are wholly irreconcilable with the conception(s) of theory as advanced by
current scholars within the discipline. Moreover, despite the commonplace assumption
that scholars have transcended Waltz’s work, scholars continue, however, to err by
misinterpreting him on the nature of theory and by failing to heed the explanatory
benefits emanating from his conception of theory. Contra the current vogue in IR,
then, we argue that the anti-Waltzian conception(s) of theory is neither particularly
new nor does it bode well for the explanatory ideals of the discipline.
Description
Keywords
International relations, Waltz, Kenneth
Citation
Coetzee, E., & Solomon, H. (2014). The'shifting'nature of theory in International Relations: why the future of the discipline is its Waltzian past. Acta Academica, 46(2), 53-82.