WHAT HAS POSTRUCTURALISM
CONTRIBUTED TO INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS?
By Patrick Bongo
Student No. 08006299
MA in International Relations
Staffordshire University
WHAT IS POSTRUCTURALISM?
Campbell, in Dunne et al (2007: 213) defines
poststructuralism as “a distinct philosophical
domain which has a critical relation to
structuralism, modernity, and postmodernity”.
 We understand by Campbell’s definition that
poststructuralism scrutinizes the ideas
expressed by a number of theories in recent
times.

WHAT IS POSTRUCTURALISM? CONTD…
George and Campbell (1990: 281) both concur
that postructuralism is an emphatically political
perspective, which refuses to privilege any
partisan political line, for it equates such
privileging with the grand, universal claims for
unity and truth in modern theory and the
dogma of the hermetically sealed tradition.
 Henceforth, we could argue from the duo’s view
that poststructuralism will not leave any
knowledge unchallenged, for it believes that all
representations of knowledge are one sided.

TOOLS USED IN POSTRUCTURALISM
For its critical approach, poststructuralism is
known to use a range of tools such as:
 Critical social movements (George and Campbell, 1990: 285)
 Marginalized voices, different histories and
cultural experiences (George and Campbell, 1990: 285)
 Practices of other academics, as well as those of
policy makers and workers in government and
nongovernmental organisations
(Edkins in Grifiths, 2007: 94)

Archives, images, survey data and content
analysis (Campbell in Dunne et al, 2007: 226)
POSTRUCTURALISM’S CONTRIBUTIONS IN IR
1.
2.
3.
4.
Criticised the realist and neorealist
understanding by claiming that it is driven by
theories and assumptions rather than
empirical work
Scrutinized the identity of the state, by
studying its origins and foundations
Challenged realism static status after global
changes
Sought to understand how relations were
constructed inside and outside the state
(Campbell in Dunne et al, 2007)
POSTRUCTURALISM’S CONTRIBUTIONS IN IR
5.
6.
7.
Critically engaged in the production and
implications of the changes in culture,
economies, society and politics
Focus on how people are regarded in different
parts of the world
Looks at the nature of individuals, their
humanity and the power structures that
produce them
(Campbell in Dunne et al, 2007)
POSTRUCTURALISM’S CONTRIBUTIONS IN IR
8.
Tries to establish possible reasons for the
status quo, through discourse and suggests
alternatives where appropriate
(Campbell in Dunne et al, 2007)
9.
Studies on how particular social practices –
things people do – work in terms of the
relations of power and the ways of thinking
that such practices produce or support
(Edkins in Griffiths, 2007)
POSTRUCTURALISM’S CONTRIBUTIONS IN IR
Perception of power as something that is
produced through relations
11. Subjectivity, language, new ways of analyzing
power relations and politics, and a sensitivity
to the importance of what cannot be spoken:
the excess or the lack
10.
(Edkins in Griffiths, 2007)
POSTRUCTURALISM’S CONTRIBUTIONS IN IR
Exploring origins of (Western) diplomatic
culture and its universal influence
13. Practical theory in the post-cold war era, that
deals with strategy and security
14. Criticism of military spending while other
groups of society are marginalized
12.
(George, 1995)
POSTRUCTURALISM’S CONTRIBUTIONS IN IR
Presenting famine and practices of aid,
including experiences from wars in a different
light.
16. Highlighted the impact of race that has been
almost entirely ignored in world politics
15.
(Smith and Owens, in Baylis and Smith, 2008)
CONCLUSION
In as much as Postructuralism has provided a
thorough critique of IR theories, we have to
acknowledge that it does little to address the
current challenges posed by the rapidly
emerging force of globalisation and terrorism. If
anything, Postructuralism has done more to
address the state’s domestic social problems as
opposed to the task of solving conflicts.
CONCLUSION CONTD….
Poststructuralism appears very critical of almost
every theory from any discipline it comes into
contact with, without having a particular base.
Henceforth, it is quite tempting to agree with
Ashley (1981), who perceives Poststructuralism as
the life of a vagabond who is a stranger to every
place and faith, knowing that he can never be at
home among the people who dwell there, knowing
that no place or faith can secure his life and
assuredly serve his will, knowing that he is always in
jeopardy of being forcefully evicted there from.
REFERENCES
Campbell David, in Dunne, Tim et al (2007).
International Relations Theories: Discipline and
Diversity. Oxford University Press. Pp 213, 226.
 George, J and Campbell, D (1990). Patterns of
Dissent and the celebration of Difference: Critical
Social Theory and International Relations,
International Studies Quarterly, 34 (3). Pp 281 &
285.
 Edkins, Jenny in Griffiths, M (2007). International
Relations Theory for the Twenty-First Century.
Routledge. Pp 94.

REFERENCES CONTD…..
George, Jim (1995). Thinking Beyond
International Relations: PostmodernismReconceptualizing Theory As Practice, in George,
Discourses of Global Politics: A Critical (Re)
Introduction to International Relations, (Boulder,
CO: Lynne Rienner). Pp 191 – 217.
 Smith, Steve and Owens, Patricia (2008).
Alternative Approaches to International Theory.
Chapter 10, Baylis and Smith, The Globalization
of World Politics, 4th Edition, 2008. Oxford
University Press.

REFERENCES CONTD…..

Ashley, R. K. (1981). Political Realism and
Human Interests. International Studies
Quarterly, 34 (3).