Stephen Hobden
Search for other papers by Stephen Hobden in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
The critique of traditional/problem-solving theory
in Critical theory and international relations
Abstract only
Log-in for full text

In order to clarify the use of the term critical theory, this chapter looks at some examples from mainstream International Relations. Neorealism is taken as the paradigmatic example of a problem-solving or traditional theory. The chapter will assess why that is so, and examine whether there are any grounds for challenging that view. A more hard test case would be Social Constructivism, and the chapter will assess the extent to which this approach could be considered a critical theory and on what grounds. The aim of the chapter is to indicate that a hard distinction between critical theory and problem-solving theory is hard to sustain and that perhaps all theory contains some mixture of critical and problem-solving elements – though in different combinations.

  • Collapse
  • Expand

Critical theory and international relations

Knowledge, power and practice

Metrics

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 27 27 10
Full Text Views 0 0 0
PDF Downloads 0 0 0