Does it matter if IR is eurocentric? Answer with reference to two IR theories, at least one of which must be a critical theory.
Use the post-colonialist theory and the marxist theory tp help you answer this question. I have attached an essay below to help you with the link between post colonial theory and marxism.
The purpose of this assignment is to assess your ability to think thematically and comparatively across theories considered in International Relations . Rather than focusing only on one thinker or one theory in this essay you will have to consider what two schools of thought might have to say about one of the big themes that run through the whole subject. You are being pushed to: (a) recognise that theories may fundamentally disagree on these issues, and (b) make up your own mind about who is right – to decide what you think about international relations.
Bibliography
- DuBois, W.E.B. (1915) ‘The African Roots of War’, The Atlantic Monthly, May, pp. 707-714
- Said, Edward (1978) Orientalism (New York: Random House). Introduction. E-book and copies online.
- Acharya, A. and Buzan, B. (eds.) (2007) ‘Why is There No Non-Western International Relations Theory?’ special issue, International Relations of the Asia-Pacific 7(3): 285-438.
- Lenin, V. I. (1999 [1916]) Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism (Sydney: Resistance Books), skim ch. I – IV (get a general gist of the argument; the empirics are not too important given they are so old); read ch. VI-IX carefully. Available at http://www.readingfromtheleft.com/Books/Classics/LeninImperialism.pdf. [other editions: HB501.LEN]
- Luxemburg, R. (2022 [1913/ 1907) Extracts from The Accumulation of Capital and from “The Right of Nations to Self-Determination” in P. Owens et al (eds) Women’s International Thought: towards a new canon (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press): e-book pp 425-429; 587-592.
- Brewer, A. (1990) Marxist Theories of Imperialism: A Critical Survey, 2nd edn. (New York: Routledge). [ebook]
- Berki, R.N. (1971) ‘On Marxian Thought and the Problem of International Relations’, World Politics 24(1): 80-105.