The problem of structural change in Alexander Wendt's social theory of international politics

Drulák, Petr (author)

The article discusses how Social Theory of International Politics (STIP) by Alexander Wendt deals with the problem of structural change. It is argued that Wendt provides better theoretical framework for addressing structural change than his neo-realist foils. But at the same time his theory suffers from some remnants of neo-realist historicism. The article shows two ways in which a more dynamic framework can be developed while keeping most of the same premises of the STIP The former introduces explicit hermeneutical elements into the meta-theory of the STIP, while the latter abandons its state-centrism, taking into account a broader variety of actors.

• Language: English
• Keywords: international relations, international politics, theory of international relations, hermeneutics, constructivism, positivism, political communities, structural change, Alexander Wendt
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FDV - Faculty of Social Sciences
• Year: 2001
• Number of pages: Str. 363-379, 437, 440
• Numbering: Vol. 4, no. 4
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-135786
• UDC: 327:165
• ISSN on article: 1408-6980
• COBISS.SI-ID: 117049344
• Publication date in RUL: 30.03.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Journal of international relations and development
• Shortened title: J. int. relat. & dev.
• Publisher: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences, Centre of International Relations
• ISSN: 1408-6980
• COBISS.SI-ID: 76065792

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Problem strukturnih sprememb v družbeni teoriji mednarodne politike Alexandra Wendta

Abstract

Članek proučuje, kako knjiga Alexandra Wendta Social Theory of International Politics (STIP) obravnava problem strukturnih sprememb. Po avtorjevem mnenju Wendt zagotavlja boljši teoretični okvir obravnave strukturnih sprememb kot njegovi neorealistični zgledi. Obenem pa njegova teorija boleha za nekaterimi ostanki neorealistične nezgodovinskosti. Članek kaže dve smeri, kjer je mogoče razviti bolj dinamičen teretični okvir in obenem ostati znotraj večine izvornih premis STIP. Prva vpeljuje izrecne hermenevtične prvine v metateorijo STlP, druga pa odpravlja njegov državocentrizem z upoštevanjem večje raznolikosti akterjev.

• Keywords: mednarodni odnosi, svetovna politika, teorija mednarodnih odnosov, hermenevtika, konstruktivizem, pozitivizem, politične skupnosti, strukturne spremembe, Alexander Wendt