The Power of International Theory: Reforging the Link to Foreign Policy-Making through Scientific Enquiry (New International Relations)

This new study challenges how we think about international relations, presenting an analysis of current trends and insights into new directions. It shows how the discipline of international relations was created with a purpose of helping policy makers to build a more peaceful and just world. However, many of the current trends - post-positivism, constructivism, reflectivism, and post-modernism - share a conception of international theory that is inherently incapable of offering significant guidance to policymakers. The Power of International Theory critically examines these approaches and offers a novel conventional-causal alternative that allows the reforging of a link between international relations theory and policy-making. While recognizing the criticisms of earlier forms of positivism and behaviouralism, the book defends holistic testing of empirical principles, methodological pluralism, criteria for choosing the best theory, a notion of 'causality,' and a limited form of prediction, all of which are needed to guide policy makers. This is an essential book for all students and scholars of international relations. The Field Of International Relations Arose From The Desire To Assist And Guide Policy-makers To Create A Better And More Peaceful World. However, Many Of The Current Trends, Post-positivism, Constructivism, Reflectivism And Postmodernism Share A Conception Of International Theory That Undercuts The Possibility Of Offering Significant Guidance To Policy-makers. The Power Of International Theory Critically Examines These Approaches And Offers A Novel Causal-conventional Alternative That Allows The Reforging Of A Link Between International Relations Theory And Policy-making. While Recognising The Criticisms Of Earlier Forms Of Positivism And Behavioralism, The Book Defends Holistic Testing Of Empirical Principles, Methodological Pluralism, Criteria For Choosing The Best Theory, A Notion Of 'causality' And A Limited Form Of Prediction, All Of Which Are Needed To Guide Policy-makers. This Book Will Be An Invaluable Text For Advanced Students And Researchers In The Fields Of International Relations Theory And The Philosophy Of Social Science.--jacket. Introduction -- Policy-making, Prediction, And The Theory Of International Behavior -- Social Science, Naturalism, And Scientific Realism -- Theory, Observation, And Law -- Natural Causation, Social Action, And International Politics -- Prediction, Theory, And Policy-making -- Explaining Agreement And Disagreement In Natural And Social Sciences -- Conclusions. Fred Chernoff. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [230]-244) And Index. Annotation Thisnew study challenges how we think about international relations, presenting an analysis of current trends and insights into new directions. It shows howthediscipline of international relations was created with a purpose of helping policy-makers to build a more peaceful and just world. However, many of the current trends, post-positivism, constructivism, reflectivism, and post-modernism share a conception of international theory that is inherently incapable of offering significant guidance to policy-makers. The Power of International Theory critically examines these approaches and offers a novel conventional-causal alternative that allows the reforging of a link between IR theory and policy-making. While recognizing the criticisms of earlier forms of positivism and behaviouralism, the book defends holistic testing of empirical principles, methodological pluralism, criteria for choosing the best theory, a notion of 'causality, ' and a limited form of prediction, all of which are needed to guide policy-makers. This is an essential book for all students and scholars of international relations Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 6 Copyright......Page 7 Contents......Page 8 Series Editor preface......Page 10 Preface......Page 12 Introduction......Page 16 1 Policy-making, prediction and the theory of international behaviour......Page 20 2 Social science naturalism and scientific realism......Page 48 3 Theory observation and law......Page 78 4 Natural causation, social action and international politics......Page 102 5 Prediction theory and policy making......Page 141 6 Explaining agreement and disagreement in the natural sciences and social sciences......Page 187 7 Conclusions......Page 222 Notes......Page 234 Bibliography......Page 245 Index......Page 260 This book explores whether and how IR theory may be used by policy-makers to change the world. It critically examines a variety approaches within international relations and offers a novel conventional-causal alternative that allows the reforging of