Postpositivism (international relations)

Post- positivism is a theory in the field of political science view of international relations, the ( epistemological ) provides epistemological positivism in question. The post- positivism negated the basic assumption that it is practiced in natural sciences empirical observation can also be applied to social sciences. Post- positivist approaches have been increasingly in the 1990s, especially in the Anglo- Saxon countries. Even postmodernism, critical theory, the Neogramscianismus and social constructivism understood as a post - positivist theories.

Definition

Post- positivist (or reflektionistische ) theories in International Relations seek a wider range of concerns into account. Representatives of the theory argue that if international relations foreign affairs and relations include non-state actors must be taken into account together with States. One should take into account not only " high politics " of states, but also the " everyday world ", which includes not only "high politics" but also " low politics ".

Examples of policy issues such as gender relations or ethnic origin are called. They complemented, not replaced the traditional view of international relations, which comprises largely questions of diplomacy or war.

The post- positivist approach could be described as skepticism about scientistic explanatory approaches in international relations, which involves in principle all-encompassing views for explaining the international system into question. It is argued that neither realism, neorealism, regime theory nor liberalism is sufficient to explain. The main difference would be that positivist theories turned out, how power is being actively implemented. Post- positivism distract the focus on how power is experienced, both from the perspective of the players including those affected.

Often, post- positivist theories promote a normative approach in international relations by involving questions of ethics. This question is neglected in the traditional treatment of international relations, are the positive facts and normative ratings in the foreground. Post- positivists argue that the discourse justified the reality. In other words, a truly independent oriented to facts makes free knowledge can not exist.

Post- positive theories can not claim to be scientific or social science. On the contrary, they are an attempt, through in-depth case analyzes to understand international political phenomena and to ask relevant questions as to how the present state determines political power constellations.

Outside of International Relations

Even outside of international relations post- positivist approaches treated as the Anglo- Austrian philosopher Karl Popper is sometimes referred to as post- positivist.