Thinking theory thoroughly : coherent approaches to an incoherent world

Bibliographic Information

Thinking theory thoroughly : coherent approaches to an incoherent world

James N. Rosenau, Mary Durfee

Westview Press, 1995

  • : hbk
  • : pbk

Available at  / 35 libraries

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Includes indexes

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

: hbk ISBN 9780813325941

Description

A primer for all kinds of readers who want to begin theorizing about international relations. Using realism and post-internationalism as oppositional models, the authors move up the ladder of theory-building step by step, and ask key questions along the way.

Table of Contents

  • The need for theory
  • the realist paradigm
  • post-internationalism in a turbulent world
  • realism and post-internationalism compared
  • the politics of the Antarctic
  • the United Nations
  • missiles in Cuba, protests in Tiananmen Square, and other crises
  • toward thinking theory thoroughly.
Volume

: pbk ISBN 9780813325958

Description

Think that theory is thoroughly removed from explaining international crises such as Bosnia, Rwanda, and Korea? Think again! James Rosenau and Mary Durfee show that the same events take on different coloration depending on the theory used to explain them. In order to better understand world politics, the authors maintain, theory does make a difference. Thinking Theory Thoroughly is a primer for all kinds of readers who want to begin theorizing about international relations (IR). Using realismthe dominant theoretical perspective in IRand postinternationalism (Rosenaus famed turbulence paradigm) as oppositional models, the authors take us up the ladder of theory-building step by step. Using case studies and examples, this volume shows how theories, and theorists, are tested in situations ranging from long-term regime building to short-term crisis. }Think that theory is thoroughly removed from explaining international crises such as Bosnia, Rwanda, and Korea? Think again! James Rosenau and Mary Durfee have teamed up to show that the same events take on different coloration depending on the theory used to explain them. In order to better understand world politics, the authors maintain, theory does make a difference. Thinking Theory Thoroughly is a primer for all kinds of readers who want to begin theorizing about international relations (IR). Using realismthe dominant theoretical perspective in IRand postinternationalism (Rosenaus famed turbulence paradigm) as oppositional models, the authors take us up the ladder of theory-building step by step and ask key questions along the way: Of what is this an instance? What underlying dynamic of world politics does it reflect? What different explanations might realists and postinternationalists offer?Case studies on the U.N. and Antarctica are developed with an eye to their theoretical dimensions. Then a chapter on international crisesencompassing the Cuban missile crisis; protests in Tiananmen Square; and refugee flights from Haiti, Cuba, and Rwandashows how theories, and theorists, are tested in situations characterized by surprise, short timelines, and disrupted decisionmaking. }

Table of Contents

The Need for Theory The Realist Paradigm Postinternationalism in a Turbulent World Realism and Postinternationalism Compared The Politics of the Antarctic The United Nations Missiles in Cuba, Protests in Tiananmen Square, and Other Crises Toward Thinking Theory Thoroughly

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