Critical Theory in International Relations and Security Studies ─ Interviews and Reflections

This book provides an assessment of the legacy, challenges and future directions of Critical Theory in the fields of International Relations and Security Studies.
This book provides ‘first-hand’ interviews with some of the pioneers of Critical Theory in the fields of International Relations Theory and Security Studies. The interviews are combined innovatively with reflective essays to create an engaging and accessible discussion of the legacy and challenges of critical thinking. A unique forum that combines first-person discussion and secondary commentary on a variety of theoretical positions, the book explores in detail the interaction between different theories and approaches, including postcolonialism, feminism, and poststructuralism. Scholars from a variety of theoretical backgrounds reflect on the strengths and problems of critical theory, recasting the theoretical discussion about critical theory in the study of world politics and examining the future of the discipline.
Both an introduction and an advanced engagement with theoretical developments over the past three decades, Critical Theory in International Relations and Security Studies will be of interest to students and scholars of International Politics, Security Studies and Philosophy.

Shannon Brincat is the co-editor for the journal Global Discourse. He received his doctorate from the University of Queensland.
Laura Lima has recently submitted her doctoral thesis at the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University.
João Nunes is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Warwick.

Introduction: The Life of Critique Shannon Brincat, Laura Limes and Joao Nunes Part 1: Interviews 1. "For someone and for some purpose": An Interview with Robert W. Cox 2. Citizenship, Community and Harm in World Politics: An Interview with Andrew Linklater 3. Challenging the Ideas that Made Us: An Interview with Ken Booth 4. The Test of Practice: An Interview with Richard Wyn Jones Robert Cox, Andrew Linklater, Ken Booth, Richard Wyn Jones Part II: Rethinking the Origins 6. The ‘Secular’ Subject of Critical International Relations Theory Mustapha Kamal Pasha 7. Vico contra Kant: The Competing Critical Theories of Cox and Linklater Richard Devetak Part III: Debating the Limits 8. Orientalism and The Poverty of Theory Three Decades On: Bringing Eastern and Subaltern Agency Back Into Critical IR Theory John M. Hobson 9. Uncritical Theory Brooke Ackerly 10. What is Critical about Critical Theory Revisited: The Case of Four International Relations Scholars and Gender Jacqui True 11. The Continuing Appeal of Critical Security Studies Pinar Bilgin Part IV: Future Directions 12. Beyond (Western) IR Theory: The Post-Colonial Tradition and the Restructuring of (Critical) IR Theory Mark Neufeld 13. ‘Come In, Make Yourself Uncomfortable!’ Some Thoughts on Putting Critical Theory in its Place Martin Weber 14. The Potential and Perils of Opposition Michael C. Williams 15. Turning Towards the World: Practicing Critique in IR Kimberly Hutchings