Positivist and Political-Economic Theories of International Relations: Liberal-Pluralist and Radical Dimensions

The Positivist-Pluralist paradigm of IR Theory is discussed, covering key developments from Richard Snyder's Decision Making Approach to Stephen Krasner and Robert Keohane's Regime Theory. It also offers an analysis of Marxist, neo-Marxist, and non-Marxist perspectives on dependency in Latin American and North American relations. The book introduces South Asian Regionalism and ancient India's early regionalism. It is useful for International Relations, Political Science, History, Law, and interdisciplinary Social Sciences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Positivist-Pluralist paradigm of International Relations (IR) Theory has seen significant developments since its inception, with a range of approaches and perspectives contributing to its evolution. This essay aims to discuss the key developments in this paradigm, from the earliest Decision Making Approach of Richard Snyder to the Regime Theory of Stephen Krasner and Robert Keohane.

In the early days of IR Theory, Richard Snyder's Decision Making Approach dominated the field. Snyder argued that states make decisions based on their perceived interests, which are influenced by factors such as power, security, and economic gain. This approach emphasized the rationality and calculability of state behavior, and it was widely accepted in the 1950s and 1960s.

However, as the field of IR Theory evolved, new perspectives emerged. One of the most significant was the Regime Theory of Stephen Krasner and Robert Keohane. Krasner and Keohane argued that states do not make decisions solely based on their interests, but also on the political and social structures that exist within their societies. They proposed that states are influenced by factors such as political institutions, social norms, and cultural values, which can shape their behavior in complex ways.

Another important development in the Positivist-Pluralist paradigm was the emergence of Marxist, neo-Marxist, and non-Marxist political economic and economist perspectives. These perspectives challenged the dominant capitalist worldview and argued that the exploitation of 'peripheral economies in the South by the 'core economies in the north is a fundamental aspect of global economic inequality. Marxist and neo-Marxist perspectives, in particular, emphasized the role of class struggle and the exploitation of labor in shaping international relations, while non-Marxist perspectives focused on issues such as economic development and trade policies.

While dealing with theories of Regionalism, Early, Old, and New, the book introduces South Asian Regionalism and the early regionalism of ancient India. South Asian Regionalism is a relatively new phenomenon that has emerged in recent decades, as countries in the region have sought to strengthen their economic and political ties. The book provides an exhaustive analysis of all Marxist, neo-Marxist, and non-Marxist political economic and economist perspectives in the Latin American and North American dependency positions of the exploitation of 'peripheral economies in the South by the 'core economies in the north.

This book will be extremely useful to the departments of International Relations, Political Science, History, Law, and other interdisciplinary Social Sciences subjects like Strategic Studies, Security Studies, etc. It offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the study of International Relations, providing students with a deep understanding of the key developments in the Positivist-Pluralist paradigm and the range of perspectives and approaches that have contributed to its evolution.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 154 x 234 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032587066