International Relations as a Social Science

TL;DR

International Relations should integrate social science with global politics, emphasizing alterity and interdisciplinary approaches.

Transcript

well good evening everybody uh I'm very pleased to welcome you here for the aural lecture of our new montue Burton chair Professor Iva Newman uh I'm kimbery Hutchings the head of the international relations department uh before I say a few words about Iva who's going to be speaking to us tonight on the topic of international... Read More

Key Insights

• International Relations (IR) should integrate with other disciplines like psychology and biology to enrich its understanding of social life and global politics.
• IR has historically developed in opposition to history, aiming to explore variations in social life rather than speculating on historical courses.
• The discipline of IR must expand its scope to include historical cases and non-Western systems to overcome Eurocentrism.
• There is a need for IR to engage in a robust debate about qualitative methods and improve transparency in its research processes.
• IR should maintain a certain autonomy from political agendas to ensure that its research remains scientifically driven rather than policy-driven.
• The study of IR should address both high-level decision making and everyday social interactions to fully understand global political dynamics.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with the biological and psychological sciences, can provide deeper insights into human social behavior.
• IR scholars should be aware of the political implications of their research, particularly in contexts where biological arguments have historically supported harmful ideologies.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the historical relationship between International Relations and history?

International Relations (IR) developed historically in opposition to the discipline of history. While history often involves speculating about the general course of events, IR focuses on the variation in forms of social life. This divergence allows IR to explore social and political dynamics without being constrained by historical narratives, thus fostering a more analytical and diverse approach to understanding global interactions.

Q: How does Professor Neumann view the integration of psychology and biology in IR?

Professor Neumann advocates for the integration of psychology and biology into IR to enrich its understanding of human behavior and social interactions. He highlights that while these disciplines offer valuable insights, IR must maintain its focus on social causes and ensure that biological arguments do not overshadow the social dimensions of political life. This interdisciplinary approach can help IR scholars better understand the complexities of global politics and human interactions.

Q: Why does Neumann emphasize the importance of studying diverse historical systems in IR?

Neumann emphasizes the importance of studying diverse historical systems to overcome the Eurocentric bias that has traditionally dominated IR. By exploring non-Western systems and historical cases, IR can develop a more comprehensive understanding of global political dynamics. This approach allows for a broader analysis of how different political systems have interacted historically and how these interactions influence current global politics.

Q: What challenges does Neumann identify regarding qualitative methods in IR?

Neumann identifies a lack of robust debate and transparency concerning qualitative methods in IR. He argues that IR scholars often overlook the importance of clearly articulating their research methodologies, which is crucial for ensuring scientific rigor and credibility. Neumann calls for a greater focus on reflexivity and situating researchers within their studies, drawing on feminist insights to enhance the methodological discourse in IR.

Q: How does Neumann suggest IR should handle its relationship with political agendas?

Neumann suggests that IR should maintain a degree of autonomy from political agendas to ensure that its research remains scientifically driven rather than policy-oriented. While acknowledging the importance of being policy-relevant, he warns against allowing political pressures to dictate research priorities, which could compromise the discipline's scientific integrity. Instead, IR should focus on producing knowledge that can inform policy without being subservient to specific political interests.

Q: What role does alterity play in Neumann's vision of IR?

Alterity, or the concept of otherness, plays a central role in Neumann's vision of IR. He argues that IR's sensitivity to alterity at all levels of political life makes it well-suited to address the challenges of globalization. By understanding the dynamics of otherness, IR can better analyze the interactions between different political entities and the social conditions that shape these interactions, ultimately leading to a more nuanced understanding of global politics.

Q: Why does Neumann believe that IR should focus on both high-level decision-making and everyday interactions?

Neumann believes that for IR to fully understand global political dynamics, it must consider both high-level decision-making and everyday social interactions. This comprehensive approach ensures that analyses are grounded in the realities of how political decisions impact daily life and vice versa. By bridging the gap between top-level politics and grassroots interactions, IR can provide more holistic insights into the complexities of global governance and social change.

Q: What warning does Neumann give regarding the use of biological arguments in IR?

Neumann warns against the misuse of biological arguments in IR, particularly when they have historically supported harmful ideologies such as Social Darwinism. He stresses the importance of engaging with biological insights thoughtfully and critically, ensuring that they complement rather than overshadow the social dimensions of political life. By doing so, IR can avoid repeating past mistakes and contribute to a more ethical and scientifically sound understanding of global politics.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Professor Iver Neumann emphasizes the importance of International Relations (IR) as a social science that should integrate insights from disciplines like psychology and biology. He argues that IR must expand its focus beyond Western-centric perspectives to include diverse historical and contemporary systems. The discipline should maintain autonomy from political agendas to ensure scientific integrity.

• Neumann highlights the need for a stronger debate on qualitative methods within IR, advocating for greater transparency and reflexivity in research. He stresses that IR should not only focus on high-level political decision-making but also consider everyday social interactions to understand global political dynamics comprehensively.

• The lecture underscores the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration, especially with biology and psychology, to enrich IR. Neumann warns against the misuse of biological arguments that have historically supported harmful ideologies, urging IR scholars to engage thoughtfully with such interdisciplinary insights.