Critical theory and international relations : knowledge, power and practice / Stephen Hobden.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hobden, Stephen, 1956- author.

Series:

Critical theory and contemporary society.

Critical theory and contemporary society

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

International relations.

Critical theory.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ix, 197 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Manchester : Manchester University Press, 2023.

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

Critical theory remains one of the most important and exciting areas within the study of international relations. Its purpose is not only to describe the way in which the world operates but to help us imagine how the world might be different and how we might achieve a more equitable and sustainable way of life. As well as presenting key concepts and thinkers the book also provides an evaluation of the field and suggests how critical thinking can contribute to confronting the challenges of the twenty-first century. The book evaluates the foundations on which critical theory has been built and illustrates how ideas which developed outside of International Relations theory have been adopted and adapted within the discipline. The book is focused on essential questions to the critical project: what can we know; how does power operate; and how should we live? In addition to discussing the foundations of critical thinking in International Relations, the book draws on recent developments in philosophy and posthumanism as an area of study to critique western thought. To overcome recent critiques of critical theory in International Relations, the book argues that it is necessary to engage with thinking outside of the western tradition. As the human species confronts the COVID-19 epidemic and the ongoing climate crisis, the book argues for a new direction for critical theory in International Relations.

Contents:

Front Matter

Dedication

Contents

Preface and acknowledgements

1 Critical Theory

2 The critique of traditional/problem-solving theory

3 The limits to knowledge

4 The operation of power

5 Practice

6 Can Critical International Relations Theory be more than critical?

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Feb 2026).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781526131966

152613196X

OCLC:

1425555420