Pragmatism in International Relations Theory and Research.

• Main Author: Shane J. Ralston
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Fundación Universidad del Norte 2011-07-01
• Series: Eidos
• Subjects: Pragmatism; international relations; research; theory; John Dewey; Richard Rorty
• Online Access: http://rcientificas.uninorte.edu.co/index.php/eidos/article/view/2139/1376

The goal of this paper is examine the recent literature on the intersection between philosophical pragmatism and International Relations (IR), including IR theory and IR research methodology. One of the obstacles to motivating pragmatist IR theories and research methodologies, I contend, is the difficulty of defining pragmatism, particularly whether there is a need for a more generic definition of pragmatism or one narrowly tailored to the goals of IR theorists and researchers. Even though philosophical pragmatism does not fit nicely into any of the traditional theoretic frameworks in International Relations, I sketch of a philosophically-inspired pragmatist IR theory based on the writings of John Dewey and Richard Rorty. On the topic of IR research methodology, I show how the cross-pollination of philosophical pragmatism and IR research methods has benefited immensely from the contributions of several leading IR pragmatists, and there are hopeful signs that the relationship can be further enriched.