I N T E R N AT I O N A L P O L I T I C S A N D

DIPLOMACY

LECTURE 1: INTRODUCTION AND

THE IR RESEARCH FIELD
C A S P E R S A K S T R U P, 5 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 4
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AGENDA
Part 1. Introduction
Module description, skills, competences
Topics, teachers, activities
Expectations
Exam info

Part 2. IR research field

History of a discipline
Great debates
Mainstream theories – group work
The end of IR theory?

Part 3. Group work and discussion

Department of Politics and Society

 PA R T 1
INTRODUCTION
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Casper Sakstrup

Email: casa@dpa.aau.dk

IPD module (coordinator and teacher)

Research Design module (teacher)

Background: Political Science

Expertise
Armed conflicts
Dictatorships
Quantitative methods

Department of Politics and Society

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Moodle

EVERYTHING is on moodle:

Formalities (course description,

learning goals, exam info, etc.)

Dates and room numbers (click

the calendar)

Info on each session, including

literature

Messages from the teachers

Department of Politics and Society

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Module description
The module is an advanced, interdisciplinary course that presupposes
knowledge of basic IR theories. The module takes its point of departure in the
development and transitions of international relations by means of concrete
case-studies and theoretical approaches from the literature on international
politics, and diplomacy. The focus will be on current debates and events,
covering a variety of geographical settings and online and offline problem
areas. Together with the electives, the module will provide inspiration for
theoretical and practical work in the project module of the semester.
Thus, through the module you will gain theoretical and empirical knowledge as
well as analytical competences within the areas of conflict and security
studies, international negotiations, conflict resolution, and international political
economy.

Department of Politics and Society

 7
Module description
The module is an advanced, interdisciplinary course that presupposes
knowledge of basic IR theories. The module takes its point of departure in the
development and transitions of international relations by means of concrete
case-studies and theoretical approaches from the literature on international
politics, and diplomacy. The focus will be on current debates and events,
covering a variety of geographical settings and online and offline problem
areas. Together with the electives, the module will provide inspiration for
theoretical and practical work in the project module of the semester.
Thus, through the module you will gain theoretical and empirical knowledge as
well as analytical competences within the areas of conflict and security
studies, international negotiations, conflict resolution, and international political
economy.

Department of Politics and Society

 8
Module description
The module is an advanced, interdisciplinary course that presupposes
knowledge of basic IR theories. The module takes its point of departure in the
development and transitions of international relations by means of concrete
case-studies and theoretical approaches from the literature on international
politics, and diplomacy. The focus will be on current debates and events,
covering a variety of geographical settings and online and offline problem
areas. Together with the electives, the module will provide inspiration for
theoretical and practical work in the project module of the semester.
Thus, through the module you will gain theoretical and empirical knowledge as
well as analytical competences within the areas of conflict and security
studies, international negotiations, conflict resolution, and international political
economy.

Department of Politics and Society

 9
Module description
The module is an advanced, interdisciplinary course that presupposes
knowledge of basic IR theories. The module takes its point of departure in the
development and transitions of international relations by means of concrete
case-studies and theoretical approaches from the literature on international
politics, and diplomacy. The focus will be on current debates and events,
covering a variety of geographical settings and online and offline problem
areas. Together with the electives, the module will provide inspiration for
theoretical and practical work in the project module of the semester.
Thus, through the module you will gain theoretical and empirical knowledge as
well as analytical competences within the areas of conflict and security
studies, international negotiations, conflict resolution, and international political
economy.

Department of Politics and Society

 10
Module description
The module is an advanced, interdisciplinary course that presupposes
knowledge of basic IR theories. The module takes its point of departure in the
development and transitions of international relations by means of concrete
case-studies and theoretical approaches from the literature on international
politics, and diplomacy. The focus will be on current debates and events,
covering a variety of geographical settings and online and offline problem
areas. Together with the electives, the module will provide inspiration for
theoretical and practical work in the project module of the semester.
Thus, through the module you will gain theoretical and empirical knowledge as
well as analytical competences within the areas of conflict and security
studies, international negotiations, conflict resolution, and international political
economy.

Department of Politics and Society

 11
Module description
The module is an advanced, interdisciplinary course that presupposes
knowledge of basic IR theories. The module takes its point of departure in the
development and transitions of international relations by means of concrete
case-studies and theoretical approaches from the literature on international
politics, and diplomacy. The focus will be on current debates and events,
covering a variety of geographical settings and online and offline problem
areas. Together with the electives, the module will provide inspiration for
theoretical and practical work in the project module of the semester.
Thus, through the module you will gain theoretical and empirical knowledge as
well as analytical competences within the areas of conflict and security
studies, international negotiations, conflict resolution, and international political
economy.

Department of Politics and Society

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Skills and competences
(exempts from the study regulation)

Knowledge on

current issues and academic debates within the field of international politics and diplomacy

diplomatic practices and negotiation techniques

advanced theories on international politics, diplomacy

Skills and competences

Can apply theories within the module’s subject areas to analyze relevant cases and at same time remain critical to these
theories

Can delimit and summarize complex international problem fields and communicate these findings to a target audience

Analyze how different state and non-state actors influence political and diplomatic relations, conflicts and decision-making
processes (…)

Department of Politics and Society

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Topics
(almost) endless possibilities

Department of Politics and Society

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Topics

In this module, we will focus on topics which are

1. Closely related to each teacher’s own research

2. Related to contemporary events and/or recent theoretical developments and debates

Department of Politics and Society

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Teachers

Casper Sakstrup (coordinator)

Jonathan Stavnskær Doucette
Lise Rolandsen Agustín
Malayna Raftopoulos

Department of Politics and Society

 Se • Introduction and the IR research field
ssi • Casper Sakstrup
on
16
Sessions 1
Se • State formation
ssi • Jonathan Stavnskær Doucette
on
Each session is 4 hours 2
Se • Armed conflict
ssi • Casper Sakstrup
on
OBS OBS Session 4 has been moved, please check moodle 3
Se • Conflict resolution
ssi • Malayna Raftopoulos
on
4
Se • Diplomacy
ssi • Jonathan Stavnskær Doucette
on
5
Se • Non-state actors
ssi • Lise Rolandsen Agustín
on
6
Se • Trade
ssi • Jonathan Stavnskær Doucette
on
7
Se • Evaluation, exam info, and summing up
ssi • Casper Sakstrup
on
8
Department of Politics and Society
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Simulation game

September 10, 11.00-12.00 - Introduction (online)

Date and time to be confirmed (group 1)

October 8, 09.00-17.00 (group 2)

Format: Negotiations-game, international conflict

Location: the old townhall in the city center

Teacher: Lise Rolandsen Agustín

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Guest lectures

October 9, 11.00-12.00
Title of lecture will be announced later
Lars Bo Larsen
(CEO, National Defence Technology Centre)

October 10, 10:15-11:30

Georgia - Navigating through complex geopolitical realities
Nata Menabde
(Georgian ambassador to Denmark)

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Expectations

Before each session:

• Read the literature

• Discuss literature in study groups, for example:

• Purpose of the text (“contribution”)
• Key arguments (2-3) of each text
• One aspect of each text that inspired/intrigued/puzzled/provoked you and why

• Do exercises in study groups (if applicable)

Department of Politics and Society

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Expectations

Before each session:

• Read the literature

• Discuss literature in study groups, for example:

• Purpose of the text (“contribution”)
• Key arguments (2-3) of each text
• One aspect of each text that inspired/intrigued/puzzled/provoked you and why

• Do exercises in study groups (if applicable)

• Some texts use quantitative methods (you will learn more about in the Research Design course)
• You must also read these texts

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Exam info
10 ECTS

Date will be announced on moodle

Answer questions and handing in on “digital eksamen”

Written assignment:
• Typically, two or three questions
• 72-hour take-home assignment
• Max 8 pages
• Internal examination
• 7-point grading scale

More info in session 8

Department of Politics and Society

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IR RESEARCH
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Discuss in groups

Have you encountered IR research before?

E.g., in your bachelor’s education, in the media, popular books, etc.

If yes, what did you think of IR as a field of research?

Department of Politics and Society

H I S TO RY O F A D I S C I P L I N E
 Zimmern

26
History of a discipline
Thucydides
1919. First IR professorship (Woodrow Wilson Chair), University of Machiavelli
Wales Aberystwyth

Many universities started teaching International Relations after WWI

Focus on war and peace, power balance, international law

International Politics has been analyzed/discussed since antiquity

Kant
Circa 400 BC. Thucydides (Greek historian). History of the Peloponnesian
War
Circa 1513 AD. Niccolò Machiavelli (Italian author). The Prince.
1795 AD. Immanuel Kant (German philosopher). Perpetual Peace: A
Philosophical Sketch

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History of a discipline

1920s - 1940s. 1st great debate

Idealists and realists Wilson
Was it really a debate? – narrative of the discipline
Carr

1950s - 1960s. 2nd great debate

Traditionalists and behavioralists
Maybe it never ended? – see 4th debate

Department of Politics and Society

Bull
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History of a discipline

1970s – 1980s. 3rd great debate

Realists, liberalists and radicalists/Marxists
Neorealism vs. liberal institutionalism (neo-neo debate)

Waltz Keohane

1980s – 2000s? 4th great debate

Rationalists and reflectivists
(Positivists, post-positivists, interpretivists, and more)

Department of Politics and Society

 Rationalism Reflectivism
Ontology
29
4th great debate (what is reality?)

Epistemology
(how can knowledge about the
Simplified! world be acquired?)

Methodology
Keohane (1988) trying to structure the (how is data and evidence
generated?)
debate in two positions

Aim of research

Role of researcher

Values in research

Actor preferences

See also Wæver (1996; 2007) IR theories

IR theories

Department of Politics and Society

 Rationalism Reflectivism
Ontology Objective reality consisting of Socially constructed reality
30
4th great debate (what is reality?) causal relations.
Focus on material factors.
resulting from interaction
between actors.
Focus on immaterial factors.

Epistemology
(how can knowledge about the
Simplified! world be acquired?)

Methodology
Keohane (1988) trying to structure the (how is data and evidence
generated?)
debate in two positions

Aim of research

Role of researcher

Values in research

Actor preferences

See also Wæver (1996; 2007) IR theories

IR theories

Department of Politics and Society

 Rationalism Reflectivism
Ontology Objective reality consisting of Socially constructed reality
31
4th great debate (what is reality?) causal relations.
Focus on material factors.
resulting from interaction
between actors.
Focus on immaterial factors.

Epistemology Empirical test of hypotheses. Subjective interpretation.

(how can knowledge about the Identify causal relations. There is no “objective” truth or
Simplified! world be acquired?) universal laws.

Methodology
Keohane (1988) trying to structure the (how is data and evidence
generated?)
debate in two positions

Aim of research

Role of researcher

Values in research

Actor preferences

See also Wæver (1996; 2007) IR theories

IR theories

Department of Politics and Society

 Rationalism Reflectivism
Ontology Objective reality consisting of Socially constructed reality
32
4th great debate (what is reality?) causal relations.
Focus on material factors.
resulting from interaction
between actors.
Focus on immaterial factors.

Epistemology Empirical test of hypotheses. Subjective interpretation.

(how can knowledge about the Identify causal relations. There is no “objective” truth or
Simplified! world be acquired?) universal laws.

Methodology Quantitative and qualitative Discourse analysis.

Keohane (1988) trying to structure the (how is data and evidence designs. Deconstruction.
generated?) Mimicking natural sciences
debate in two positions (experimental logic).

Aim of research

Role of researcher

Values in research

Actor preferences

See also Wæver (1996; 2007) IR theories

IR theories

Department of Politics and Society

 Rationalism Reflectivism
Ontology Objective reality consisting of Socially constructed reality
33
4th great debate (what is reality?) causal relations.
Focus on material factors.
resulting from interaction
between actors.
Focus on immaterial factors.

Epistemology Empirical test of hypotheses. Subjective interpretation.

(how can knowledge about the Identify causal relations. There is no “objective” truth or
Simplified! world be acquired?) universal laws.

Methodology Quantitative and qualitative Discourse analysis.

Keohane (1988) trying to structure the (how is data and evidence designs. Deconstruction.
generated?) Mimicking natural sciences
debate in two positions (experimental logic).

Aim of research Explanatory Descriptive / understanding

Role of researcher

Values in research

Actor preferences

See also Wæver (1996; 2007) IR theories

IR theories

Department of Politics and Society

 Rationalism Reflectivism
Ontology Objective reality consisting of Socially constructed reality
34
4th great debate (what is reality?) causal relations.
Focus on material factors.
resulting from interaction
between actors.
Focus on immaterial factors.

Epistemology Empirical test of hypotheses. Subjective interpretation.

(how can knowledge about the Identify causal relations. There is no “objective” truth or
Simplified! world be acquired?) universal laws.

Methodology Quantitative and qualitative Discourse analysis.

Keohane (1988) trying to structure the (how is data and evidence designs. Deconstruction.
generated?) Mimicking natural sciences
debate in two positions (experimental logic).

Aim of research Explanatory Descriptive / understanding

Role of researcher Neutral “observer” – stands Participant – is part the reality

outside the reality that is that is interpreted
explained

Values in research

Actor preferences

See also Wæver (1996; 2007) IR theories

IR theories

Department of Politics and Society

 Rationalism Reflectivism
Ontology Objective reality consisting of Socially constructed reality
35
4th great debate (what is reality?) causal relations.
Focus on material factors.
resulting from interaction
between actors.
Focus on immaterial factors.

Epistemology Empirical test of hypotheses. Subjective interpretation.

(how can knowledge about the Identify causal relations. There is no “objective” truth or
Simplified! world be acquired?) universal laws.

Methodology Quantitative and qualitative Discourse analysis.

Keohane (1988) trying to structure the (how is data and evidence designs. Deconstruction.
generated?) Mimicking natural sciences
debate in two positions (experimental logic).

Aim of research Explanatory Descriptive / understanding

Role of researcher Neutral “observer” – stands Participant – is part the reality

outside the reality that is that is interpreted
explained

Values in research None. Distinguishes between Theory and reality cannot be

normative and explanatory separated.
theory No theory is “neutral”

Actor preferences

See also Wæver (1996; 2007) IR theories

IR theories

Department of Politics and Society

 Rationalism Reflectivism
Ontology Objective reality consisting of Socially constructed reality
36
4th great debate (what is reality?) causal relations.
Focus on material factors.
resulting from interaction
between actors.
Focus on immaterial factors.

Epistemology Empirical test of hypotheses. Subjective interpretation.

(how can knowledge about the Identify causal relations. There is no “objective” truth or
Simplified! world be acquired?) universal laws.

Methodology Quantitative and qualitative Discourse analysis.

Keohane (1988) trying to structure the (how is data and evidence designs. Deconstruction.
generated?) Mimicking natural sciences
debate in two positions (experimental logic).

Aim of research Explanatory Descriptive / understanding

Role of researcher Neutral “observer” – stands Participant – is part the reality

outside the reality that is that is interpreted
explained

Values in research None. Distinguishes between Theory and reality cannot be

normative and explanatory separated.
theory No theory is “neutral”

Actor preferences Rational (exogenous) Socially constructed

(endogenous)
See also Wæver (1996; 2007) IR theories

IR theories

Department of Politics and Society

 Rationalism Reflectivism
Ontology Objective reality consisting of Socially constructed reality
37
4th great debate (what is reality?) causal relations.
Focus on material factors.
resulting from interaction
between actors.
Focus on immaterial factors.

Epistemology Empirical test of hypotheses. Subjective interpretation.

(how can knowledge about the Identify causal relations. There is no “objective” truth or
Simplified! world be acquired?) universal laws.

Methodology Quantitative and qualitative Discourse analysis.

Keohane (1988) trying to structure the (how is data and evidence designs. Deconstruction.
generated?) Mimicking natural sciences
debate in two positions (experimental logic).

Aim of research Explanatory Descriptive / understanding

Role of researcher Neutral “observer” – stands Participant – is part the reality

outside the reality that is that is interpreted
explained

Values in research None. Distinguishes between Theory and reality cannot be

normative and explanatory separated.
theory No theory is “neutral”

Actor preferences Rational (exogenous) Socially constructed

(endogenous)
See also Wæver (1996; 2007) IR theories Neorealism; neoliberal Constructivism (thick); post-
institutionalism; Marxism; structuralism; feminism; post-
“traditional” IPE; (game theory; colonialism; postmodernism;
rational choice theory) critical theory
IR theories

Department of Politics and Society

 Rationalism Reflectivism
Ontology Objective reality consisting of Socially constructed reality
38
4th great debate (what is reality?) causal relations.
Focus on material factors.
resulting from interaction
between actors.
Focus on immaterial factors.

Epistemology Empirical test of hypotheses. Subjective interpretation.

(how can knowledge about the Identify causal relations. There is no “objective” truth or
Simplified! world be acquired?) universal laws.

Methodology Quantitative and qualitative Discourse analysis.

Keohane (1988) trying to structure the (how is data and evidence designs. Deconstruction.
generated?) Mimicking natural sciences
debate in two positions (experimental logic).

Aim of research Explanatory Descriptive / understanding

Role of researcher Neutral “observer” – stands Participant – is part the reality

outside the reality that is that is interpreted
explained

Values in research None. Distinguishes between Theory and reality cannot be

normative and explanatory separated.
theory No theory is “neutral”

Actor preferences Rational (exogenous) Socially constructed

(endogenous)
See also Wæver (1996; 2007) IR theories Neorealism; neoliberal Constructivism (thick); post-
institutionalism; Marxism; structuralism; feminism; post-
“traditional” IPE; (game theory; colonialism; postmodernism;
rational choice theory) critical theory
IR theories In between
English School; Securitization theory; Constructivism (thin)
Department of Politics and Society
MAINSTREAM THEORIES
 40
Mainstream theories

Crash course on Moodle

Realism
Liberalism
Constructivism

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Mainstream theories
Realism Liberalism Constructivism
Discuss for 30 minutes in groups
Human nature
Core concepts
OBS War
• Realism and liberalism are broad “schools of thought”, History
i.e. there are many liberal / realist theories International
system
• Constructivism is even broader
Stability
(general social science theory)
Instability
Central actors
Values
Authors
Examples

Department of Politics and Society

T H E E N D O F I R T H E O RY ?
 43
The end of IR Theory?
Dunne, Hansen & Wight 2013
Introduction to a special issue in European Journal of International Relations

Current state of the discipline (after the 4th debate):

Theory development Theory testing

Inter-theoretic debate Theoretical peace: Paradigm wars are over

Aim of theoretical hegemony Acceptance of theoretical diversity

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What is theory?
Background

IR is a very wide-ranging discipline – topics are diverse and complex

Thus no surprise that the definition, role, and function of theory is contested

Definitions

Most agree that “theories should be understood as abstractions from a complex reality and that they
attempt to provide generalizations about the phenomena under study” (p. 407)

“its referents are so diverse — including everything from minor working hypotheses, through
comprehensive but vague and unordered speculations, to axiomatic systems of thought” (Merton, 1967:
39)

Narrow conception (Waltz, Rosenau, and more): Theory should help us reveal the underlying pattern of
international events

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Types of theory

Explanatory: Explaining events/patterns by providing causes (“Why” questions)

Critical theory: Criticizing social arrangements or outcomes, and how they came about

Normative theory: Addressing moral dimensions of IR. How things should/ought to be

Constitutive theory: How are things constituted? Often how rules, norms, and ideas constitute social objects

Theory as a lens: Explore how actors navigate and perceive the world (differently)

Using theory as a lens: Filtering the complex reality - highlighting some things and hiding others

What type of theory have you worked with before?

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Pluralism
We have more recognized theories than ever. Major textbooks have 8-11 big theories currently

Why this theoretical expansion?

New historical contexts
The end of the Cold War increased interest in post-positivist theories
The invention and spread of nuclear weapons led to the development of deterrence theory
Importing theories
Feminism from political theory
Poststructuralism from literate theory and philosophy
Constructivism from sociology
Developments in the discipline
Waltz (1979) led to a range of alternative theories (often in opposition to Waltz)
New variants within existing paradigms, e.g. Neoclassical realism

Department of Politics and Society

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What pluralism?

Unity through pluralism

Pluralism as part of a process towards theoretical unity, building on a common methodology

Critique: given different conceptions of science, how is this possible, and how do we know?

Disengaged pluralism

Let a thousand theoretical flowers bloom. Only pluralism can deal with a multifaceted and complex reality

Critique: are all claims and viewpoints valid?

Integrative pluralism

Embrace diversity but continue engaging with other theories and approaches

Critique: difficult because of fragmentation and the theoretical “peace”

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The end of IR theory?
Its not a simple yes or no

No!

We have a lot of IR theories – more than ever

Theory testing also involves theory

Yes!

There is little meta-theoretic debate and dedicated theory development

Increased specialization, theoretically and especially methodologically, may lead to communication breakdown

The future

New big events may create demand for new theory (Ukraine war?)

Great debates and disciplinary turning points are always seen in hindsight

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The end of IR?
NO!

It’s an old discipline, and interest in such topics go far back in history

The subject matter is unique (and broader than ever before)

The discipline has a strong sense of being theory-led and theory-concerned

YES!

Unsuccessful in affecting other disciplines

Slow to acknowledge the importance of new developments, media technologies, global economy, and more

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 PA R T 3
GROUP WORK
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Group work

Explain why Sweden has joined NATO using

Realism, Liberalism and Constructivism

25 minutes

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Conclusion

Introduction to the module

Description, expectations, exam, etc.

IR research field
History and debates
Mainstream theories
The end of IR theory?

Group work: Sweden joining NATO

Department of Politics and Society

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Conclusion

Introduction to the module Next lecture

Description, expectations, exam, etc. State formation
Jonathan Stavnskær Doucette

IR research field
History and debates
Mainstream theories
The end of IR theory?

Group work: Sweden joining NATO

Department of Politics and Society