Chapter 9 Review questions
Post-positivism in IR
- Identify the post-positivist view of knowledge and power as spelled out by Steve Smith. Do you support his view? Why or why not?
- What is the methodological difference between scientifically explaining an international phenomenon and historically interpreting an international event or episode? Are those methodologies compatible or contradictory?
- Summarize the main issues in the debate between positivists and post‑positivists. Which side in the debate do you favour? Why?
- Identify at least two major post‑positivist approaches. What are the most significant methodological similarities and differences between them?
- What is the better way of looking at IR methodologies: as categorically different or as conceptually overlapping?
- How do discourse and identity influence international relations according to post-colonialists?
- Discuss the contributions of Feminist IR to the discipline. Are conventional approaches biased by gendered thinking?
- Is it possible to study IR without a methodological approach?
- Is it possible to argue that certain IR methodologies are preferable on scientific grounds? Or is the choice of methodology a matter of non-scientific or even personal preference?
- Are IR methodologies ideologies in disguise? Give examples of methodologies and ideologies in your answer.