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Between Science and Art: Questionable International Relations Theories

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 June 2007

YIWEI WANG
Affiliation:
Center for American Studies, Fudan Universityyiweiwang@fudan.edu.cn

Abstract

International relations (IR) is both a science and an art, i.e. the unity of object and subject. Traditional international relations theories (IRT) have probed the laws of IR, in an attempt to become the universal science. IRT have developed into a class doctrine that defends the legitimacy of the western international system as a result of proceeding from the reality of IR, while neglecting its evolving process, and overlooking the meaning of art and the presence of multi-international systems. In other words, IRT have turned into what Karl Marx might have deemed as the vulgar international relations theories (VIRT). For this reason, we declare the end of international relations theories. This phenomenon can only be negated by the so-called Chinese School, which will set the sustainable and harmonious relations among nations, between state and non-state actors, and within states and non-state actors (in one word ‘global-society’) in five life-forces of economy, politics, military, culture, and religion. Consequently, this will bring about a real regression of nationality and compatible development of various international systems.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2007 Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

I am grateful to Professor Barry Buzan for his thoughtful comments and criticisms of an earlier draft that I presented at the 27th Annual Conference of British International Studies Association at London School of Economics on 16 December 2002.