The Critical Theory of Robert W. Cox: Fugitive or Guru? (International Political Economy Series)

This book, some 20 years after the publication of Robert W. Cox's seminal Production, Power and World Order: Social Forces in the Making of History, offers the reader an analytical and comprehensive overview of his work and illustrates the continuing relevance thereof for contemporary research. The scholarship of historian and political economist, Robert W Cox, spans some thirty to fifty years. As an outsider to the fields of IR/IPE the inspiration wellspring of his work is often misunderstood and incorrectly represented. This comprehensive overview focuses on the development of his thinking and attempts to set the record straight. The book compares Cox with the critical theory of the Frankfurt school and with scholars who have attempted to incorporate it into IR/IPE theory and finds that they are not the same. A selection of work by those who have been inspired by Coxian Critical Theory has been included to highlight some challenges and opportunities for critical political economists. It is suggested that Cox's tolerance for diversity and his eclecticism can potentially bridge the gap between rationalist and interpretative approaches to political economy by pointing us towards a critical empiricist theory of political economy. It is hoped that the volume will provide a point of entry for younger scholars and that it will refocus the attention of established scholars some 20 years after the publication of Power, Production and World Order: Social Forces in the Making of History Contents 6 List of Abbreviations 8 Preface 10 Acknowledgments 12 Chapter 1 Why a Book on the Critical Theory of Robert W. Cox? 14 Introduction 14 Issues and objectives 17 Elaborating on the 'Association' and 'Bridging' questions 19 Structure 23 Chapter 2 Influences, Context, and Theoretical Development 24 Introduction 24 Early context and influences 25 The International Labour Organisation phase 26 Academia: Refining the historical mode of understanding 32 Chapter 3 The Core Theoretical Framework and Beyond 48 Engaging with Waltzian neo-Realism 48 Problem-solving and critical theory 51 Historicism: The essence of CCT 54 Historical materialism of a 'Special Kind' 58 The dynamics of historical structures 61 Applying hegemony 63 The enduring concept of world order 66 Accessing social forces through modes of social relations of production 71 After PPWO: Globalisation, civilisations and multilateralism 78 Chapter 4 The Critical Theory of the Frankfurt School 84 Introduction 84 Origins and history of the Frankfurt School 84 Epistemology 92 Critique of positivism 95 A critical theory of society 98 Some initial observations on echoes and similarities with Coxian Critical Theory 100 Chapter 5 The 'Critical Turn' in International Relations 102 Andrew Linklater 102 Richard Ashley 109 Mark Hoffman 113 Mark Neufeld 118 Some brief concluding observations on 'Roots' and commonalities 124 Chapter 6 The Legacy of Coxian Critical Theory 128 Coxian critical theory, the Frankfurt School and Critical Theory in International Relations 129 Following in the footsteps of the Guru? 136 The Critical Theory of Robert W. Cox: A pathway to conversations? 149 Notes 158 Bibliography 170 Index 178 A 178 B 178 C 178 D 178 E 178 F 179 G 179 H 179 I 180 J 181 K 181 L 181 M 181 N 181 O 181 P 181 R 182 S 182 T 182 U 183 V 183 W 183 Y 183 Z 183 The Scholarship Of Historian And Political Economist, Robert W. Cox, Spans Some Thirty To Fifty Years. As An Outsider To The Fields Of Ir/ipe The Inspiration And Wellspring Of His Work Is Often Misunderstood And Incorrectly Represented. This Comprehensive Overview Focuses On The Development Of His Thinking And Attempts To Set The Record Straight. It Is Hoped That The Volume Will Provide A Point Of Entry For Younger Scholars And That It Will Refocus The Attention Of Established Scholars Some 20 Years After The Publication Of Power, Production And World Order: Social Forces In The Making Of History.--book Jacket. Why A Book On The Critical Theory Of Robert W. Cox? -- Influences, Context, And Theoretical Development -- The Core Theoretical Framework And Beyond -- The Critical Theory Of The Frankfurt School -- The Critical Turn In International Relations -- The Legacy Of Coxian Critical Theory. Anthony Leysens. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 157-164) And Index.