Pragmatism in international relations
Summary:
This article provides an overview of the fundamental premises and statements of the social-theoretical tradition of pragmatism and discusses its potential in the field of international relations (IR). Drawing on the founders Peirce, James, Mead and Dewey as well as contemporary updates by Richard Rorty and Donald Davidson, it is argued that pragmatism – more than any other comparable theory in IB – is about a theory of human thought and action that abolishes the equally fundamental and misleading dualism of epistemology and action theory. In a second step, some of the implications are outlined that arise for concrete research practice in the field of international relations if one finds this doctrine convincing and makes it the starting point for one’s own research. Specific examples from the IB will be used.
