The Fallacy of the Realist-Constructivist Dichotomy: A Rejoinder to Robert Murray
Realism is not dead, but it is as problematic to treat the theory as IR’s “core set of ideas” as it is a fallacy to treat constructivism as a recognizable, distinct, and competing theory.
Review – Changing Norms Through Actions
Ramos’ research is empirically rich and theoretically innovative, using social psychology to argue that the more costly an intervention is, the more contingent sovereignty becomes.
Review – Ontological Security in International Relations
Steele’s well-researched book convincingly appends the field’s more materialist notions of security, but the merits lie as much with its novel conclusions as they do with the ideas it inspires.
Justifying Violence: Communicative Ethics and the Use of Force in Kosovo
Communicative ethics is not about passing moral judgement on the use of force in Kosovo, but rather of demonstrating legitimacy shortcomings by identifying constraints on communicative practices.
Interview – Terry Nardin
Professor Terry Nardin of the National University of Singapore answers your questions about humanitarian intervention, human rights, recent events in the Middle East and West Africa, and global justice.
Are They Intervening Yet? Power and Spillover in the Syrian Conflict
Any question about whether the west should intervene in Syria is a fairly moot point when considering history. Although it may not be immediately recognisable, we have been intervening for some time.
“Killer Robots”: Double Standards? Blind Faith?
It is strange that we vest in a piece of machinery the moral blame that belongs to humans, and alarming that faith in technology and the power of numbers is leading us down a dangerous path.
Much Ado About Killer Robots
The spectre of Killer Robots is haunting the world. However, it is by no means clear what they are. Humans have not needed much persuasion to kill. Are robots really any worse?
Interview – Chris Brown
Professor Brown answers reader questions about the theory-practice divide, non-Western political theory, the ongoing crisis in Syria, and challenges to the UN’s Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine.
Should Western Nations Arm Syrian Rebels?
There is a compelling case for increased militarization in the ongoing Syrian crisis, but such an intervention may seriously affect the prospects of finding a political solution to the conflict.
