What should we expect of a liberal explanatory theory?

Humphreys, A. R. C. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5726-0714 (2012) What should we expect of a liberal explanatory theory? Journal of International Political Theory, 8 (1-2). pp. 25-47. ISSN 1755-1722 doi: 10.3366/jipt.2012.0024

Abstract/Summary

One of the most problematic aspects of the ‘Harvard School’ of liberal international theory is its failure to fulfil its own methodological ideals. Although Harvard School liberals subscribe to a nomothetic model of explanation, in practice they employ their theories as heuristic resources. Given this practice, we should expect them neither to develop candidate causal generalizations nor to be value-neutral: their explanatory insights are underpinned by value-laden choices about which questions to address and what concepts to employ. A key question for liberal theorists, therefore, is how a theory may be simultaneously explanatory and value-oriented. The difficulties inherent in resolving this problem are manifested in Ikenberry’s writing: whilst his work on constitutionalism in international politics partially fulfils the requirements of a more satisfactory liberal explanatory theory, his recent attempts to develop prescriptions for US foreign policy reproduce, in a new form, key failings of Harvard School realism.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/33782
Identification Number/DOI	10.3366/jipt.2012.0024
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	No Reading authors. Back catalogue items Arts, Humanities and Social Science > School of Politics, Economics and International Relations > Politics and International Relations
Uncontrolled Keywords	Ikenberry, international relations (IR) theory, Keohane, liberalism, methodology, Moravcsik
Publisher	Edinburgh University Press
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