PO3 Worlding International Relations

Does “worlding IR”, i.e., opening it up to knowledge and experiences from the non-Western world really enhance our understanding of the international system and the opportunities for cooperation, or does it simply highlight the differences and conflicts between nations and cultures?

The question requires a clear understanding of what ‘worlding IR’ is about, what its goal and purpose is. What motivates this project, and what methods are mentioned in order to bring it about? Much is being made of dialogue, so in your opinion, can including new non-Western voices in such a dialogue (or ‘multi-logue’) work the way ‘worlding IR’ expects it? Can we reconcile different values of different cultures? Can it overcome the post/neo-colonial power structures still in place? Or does widening the scope of dialogue demonstrate the differences, perhaps even incompatibilities between cultures? Can we overcome the fact that our knowledge of the world is always based on particular perspectives we mostly take for granted, or can ‘worlding IR’ lead to at least some respect for otherness?

These are some of the questions I would like you to reflect upon. The question is based on and continues the discussions we had in Seminar 2 on The Problem of the International, so do consult your notes.

Assessment is based on a demonstration that you understand the ‘worlding IR” project’s purpose, goal and methods, and that you can critically reflect on its viability and desirability. You should reference the assigned literature to the extent that it is relevant here, but you are encouraged to research and read beyond it.

Finally, there is no right/wrong answer here; the answer/conclusion, which of course does not have to be black or white, needs to be coherent, logical, and rigorous, and ideally demonstrate your independent and critical thinking.

Also, if you are interested in an epistemological argument about this issue, do take a peek ahead at the book chapter assigned to the last seminar on Fashion as an Epistemology of Translation.

structuring of essay: 

Good introduction:

1- first sentence is an observation

Example: something occurred in the world…

2- turn the observation into a problem that needs to be solved

3-form it into a question (the problem)

4-use the introduction as your road map to the essay

5 -introduction should be at least 700 words

Main points division:

1- be objective

2- whatever you are arguing about, argue fairly

3- don’t argue in one paragraph, don’t contribute yourself

4- use examples only to illustrate your point

Conclusion:

– No summary

-analyse ways to develop your point

– conclusion should be at least 700 words

make sure to have subheadings within different discussions.