Theories of International Relations - Essay Example

Theories of International Relations The present trend of the international community can be viewed towards the trend of globalization and oneness.For that matter, the interaction between different countries can be considered as one of the significant focus. In the study undertaken, the main objective is to be able to present a view on the International Relations (IR) and other related social theories specifically the postmodernism theory. Specifically, the effect of postmodernism on the state of the International Relations is one of the main issues discussed in the paper. To be able to achieve the set objectives, it is important to attain a level of understanding on the different related concepts. For that matter, the concept of International Relations and the elements of the Post-Modernism Theory are defined. Background of the Study The International Relations theory is composed of concepts, policies and practices that serve as guidelines for the interactions between different organizations and nations. Basically, the IR is related to world politics, thus, it can be considered as one of the significant fields that explore the ways and means to prevent war, to have an economic interaction and to cooperate in the process of achieving goals for international welfare in different areas and aspects of the society (Weber, 2004). The study of IR then is important in the determination of the different paradigms that can help in the understanding of the issues and problems that can be encountered in connection to different forms of international relations. The different concepts that comprise the theory of International Relations can be considered to define different points of views. For that matter, one of the criticisms in relation to the manner by which the IR defines events, it can be critical and subjective on the basis of the fact that the views are segregated in the different theories that comprise the IR (Weber, 2004). One of the most significant theories related to the International Relations theory is the postmodernism view. The concept covers the wide variety of unconventional notions regarding the different social views and theories. The views identified as post-modern are classified as the concepts and theories that vary from the traditional manner even to the point of contradiction. The said characteristics that make the postmodernism theory be viewed as a hindrance to the different concepts of IR is the main focus of the study undertaken (Irvine, 2003; Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2005). The Postmodernism The theory of postmodernism can be considered as one of the social theories with application in IR due to the fact that encompass the different aspects in social interactions namely the political, the economic and the social facets. The views and concepts that are included in the theory of postmodernism are considered in different classification as the conventional and classical methods of practice, judgement and application in the society (Irvine, 2003; Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2005). The theory of postmodernism can be considered as the manner of critically analysing the different conventional practices, concepts and beliefs in the society. The said view had been proposed by Jean-François Lyotars in the mid 1900’s. It is an economic point of view with influences from the different concepts such as structuralism due to the period it had been proposed and marginal modernism due to the fact that is a modification and transformation towards a more unconventional view (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2005). There are different points to distinguish the postmodernism. One is with regards to the period in history. Thus, historical and time constrains are related. It is important to consider through that chronology is not the main factor involved. At a particular point in history, modernism can be identified and postmodernism can follow or contradict the concepts that are included. There are different examples that can be sited in relation to the issue (Irvine, 2003; Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2005). An example of the application of the post-modern theory is the review, query and questioning of the different beliefs and establishment that are already established. The origin of societies and cultures can be considered as true and important to a particular social group. With the application of the post-modern theory, the myths and superstitions are commonly targeted. This can be disruptive with reference to norms and beliefs that are considered the foundations of social groups and communities. On the other hand, unconventional ideas commonly initiate innovations and needed change and disrupt the myths that (Dougherty and Pfaltzgraff, 2001; Irvine, 2003; Weber, 2004). A common notion in the society is the establishment of paradigms and guiding principles that can help the public in understanding and resolving issues specifically when the variation in the social groups involved is high. The post-modern theory, on the other hand, is involved in the prevention of generalizations that can hinder fair considerations in certain issues related to history, culture and science. The theory can then be considered to encourage individuality which can either be translated as social and cultural pluralism or ethnic disunity (Dougherty and Pfaltzgraff, 2001; Irvine, 2003; Weber, 2004). Also inline with the postmodernism’s acceptance of the individualism of every social group and human being, the main priority when the theory is applied is the acceptance of the differences in terms of the varying aspects of personality and identity such as gender, social status and factors related to the family. This is included in the criticized aim of postmodernism that can lead to increased disunity (Dougherty and Pfaltzgraff, 2001; Irvine, 2003; Weber, 2004). Conventional theories of International Relations are also towards progress specifically in relation to the scientific and technological fields. The groups that question the validity of such views on the basis of certain contradicting notions also belong to the post-modern view. The view that postmodernism aims for decentralization can be related to the reasons, that it promotes individualism and not unity. Critics of the theory are stressing the negative effect of the view. For example in the application of technology which is a common notion to people of the international community regardless of the nation the main effect is that opposing groups increase not only vigilance the technology but also antagonism in situations wherein issues based on certain beliefs are raised. The said view can be exemplified in a client-based manner of answering technological needs and application such as the process of customization (Dougherty and Pfaltzgraff, 2001; Irvine, 2003; Weber, 2004). Another point that can be credited to the view on postmodernism that is based on individualistic principle is the application of demassified culture which can be defined as the specialized and niche-based attention to the people’s needs and demands which are specifically applied in the economic aspect of the society. This is a post-modern breakaway from the conventional theory of mass production, mass culture and mass marketing (Dougherty and Pfaltzgraff, 2001; Irvine, 2003; Weber, 2004). The field of knowledge is also another important aspect in the society. In the conventional theories, the generalized body of knowledge are given advantage. It is the centralization of concepts that can be applied in a multidisciplinary manner and in an interdisciplinary accord. Postmodernism on the other hand is involved in the specialization of the knowledge systems. This is applied through a collection of specialized concepts and even jargons that are put into a group which can be identified as a general knowledge of the population. The concept of the Worldwide Web is an example of the application of such system. The collection of data can be considered important to different groups but other people can still have access. It mainly depends on the audience’s preference, needs, and vigilance on what data to gather. Such manner although in risk of being judged as disorganized can develop the public to achieve independence in critical analysis and processing of gathered data from the society and surroundings. Such skill in important specifically in the present time wherein the needs for survival are becoming increasingly complex (Dougherty and Pfaltzgraff, 2001; Irvine, 2003; Weber, 2004). The presented concepts and scenarios are included in the theory of postmodernism. Basically, in simple notion, the theory is based on the aim to improve the present social theories. Thus, in general, such concepts were known as the critics of social theories namely the IR theory. Effects of Postmodernism to International Relations There are norms and conventionalities in any type of social unit. Due to the fact that the policies, rules and theories had been established in the early part of the human history, the concepts that had been developed and established in later periods can be judged as a breakaway to the conventional views. In terns of the different social theories, there is a group which is referred to as the critical theories. The name is based on the fact that it constitutes concepts that critically analyse and evaluate the applicability of policies, rules and paradigms in the society. The said group is wherein the theory of postmodernism belongs. In the study undertaken, the main objective is to be able to determine if the postmodernism theory is undermining or boosting the International Relations theory. This can be attributed to the fact that the said theory is the main basis of the state of interactions between nations in different aspects namely social, political and economic. Based on the study undertaken, it can be viewed that the postmodern theory is not aimed to disrupt or undermine the International Relations theory. Although it is the case, the said effect can usually be viewed specifically since it is involved in the process of correcting the different flaws and shortcomings in the policies and guidelines of IR. Due to the fact that knowledge base and data are continuously changing, developing and becoming obsolete, a system of updating and counterchecking is a must. In any system or organization, the process of research, development and counterchecking is significant and fundamental to be able to adapt to changes in the society and continuously be of service. The proponents of the said theory classify modernism as a state of thinking which is independent from the conventional rules. Basically, the unconventionality can be considered as the translation of the fact that the concepts of the said theory transcends the IR rules to be able to have the capability to counteract and to initiate changes in cases wherein such actions can be found necessary (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2005). Similar to such systems, the International Relations theory is composed of different subdivisions which include the theory of postmodernism. It can be prejudiced as a deconstructive theory since the theories and policies that are least applicable are often deconstructed and changed. In the aim then to determine the general effect of the theory of postmodernism in the IR theory, it can be perceived based on gathered information and data that the postmodernism is similar to other theories related to the IR due to the fact that it represents a particular point of view. It can be considered that the applicability and use of the said theories is based on the judgement of the people. The reputation of the postmodernism can be related to the fact that it developed from the modernism or conventional theory in such a way that it contradicts to be able to achieve its purpose. Contradicting certain areas, policies and applications of the conventional and traditional social theories does not necessarily mean that it is disruptive to the IR per se. On the other hand, the result of the deconstructive effects of some policies can be beneficial to the development and utility of the IR theories in answering different issues in the social systems. As a result then, based on the gathered data, the postmodernism is a component of the social theories that functions as a method to balance other theories and maintain their efficiency in international relations. The effects then of the theory can be methodically disrupting certain components of the IR theory but ultimately it can improve the field of International Relations in general. Conclusion The study if focused on the effects of the theory of postmodernism to the general theory of International Relations. Superficially, due to the fact that the policies and rules of the postmodernism contradict the IR policies, it can be prejudiced that is can cause disruption to the whole system. Upon in depth analysis though, it can be perceived that the contradiction caused by the theory can countercheck and improve the current policies of IR, thus, ultimately leading to its improvement. In addition, due to the fact that postmodernism originated and developed from the theories of modernism which can be classified as conventional and traditional, it can be constructive due to the continuous analysis of the different theories and concepts that serve as foundations of human culture and society. The role of postmodernism then is comparable to the role of inquiry and experimentation in science to be able to achieve a universal theory or law. Thus, the postmodernism can liberate the theory of International Relations. References Dougherty, J. E. and Pfaltzgraff, R. L. Jr. (Eds.). (2001). Contending Theories of International Relations: A Comprehensive Survey. Longman. Irvine, M. (2003). The Postmodern. Retrieved January 3, 2009, from http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/irvinem/theory/pomo.html Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2005, September 30). Postmodernism. Retrieved January 3, 2009, from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/postmodernism/ Weber, C. (Ed.). (2004). International Relations Theory: A Critical Introduction. Taylor & Francis. Read More