Politics is too important to be left to political scientists: A critique of the theory–policy nexus in International Relations

Zambernardi, Lorenzo

doi:10.1177/1354066115580137

Cited by 22 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…What kinds of trade-offs might emerge when academics turn to the public more often? These questions have received much attention at academic conferences in recent years – both in paper presentations and in personal conversations (Tallis, 2016; Zambernardi, 2016).…”

Section: How Academics Approach the Future: Perspectives For New Methmentioning

confidence: 99%

Who makes the world? Academics and (un)cancelling the future

Holthaus

Stockmann

2020

New Perspectives

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In this essay, we consider the role of academics as change-makers. There is a long line of reflection about academics’ sociopolitical role(s) in international relations (IR). Yet, our attempt differs from available considerations in two regards. First, we emphasize that academics are not a homogenous group. While some keep their distance from policymakers, others frequently provide policy advice. Hence, positions and possibilities of influence differ. Second, our argument is not oriented towards the past but the future. That is, we develop our reflections on academics as change-makers by outlining the vision of a ‘FutureLab’, an innovative, future forum that brings together different world-makers who are united in their attempt to improve ‘the world'. Our vision accounts for current, perhaps alarming trends in academia, such as debates about the (in)ability to confront post-truth politics. Still, it is a (critically) optimistic one and can be read as an invitation for experimentation. Finally, we sympathize with voices demanding the democratization of academia and find that further cross-disciplinary dialogues within academia and dialogues between different academics, civil society activists and policymakers may help in finding creditable solutions to problems such as climate change and populism.

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Section: How Academics Approach the Future: Perspectives For New Methmentioning

confidence: 99%

Who makes the world? Academics and (un)cancelling the future

Holthaus

Stockmann

2020

New Perspectives

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“…Fourth, the CFP subfield is policy-relevant. Drawing on insights from decades of inquiry, foreign policy analysis has made valuable contributions to theory development and policy prescriptions (Zambernardi 2016). Early examples of applications of foreign policy frames include studies of wars over independence and decolonization (Goldstein and Keohane 1993;Kahler 2014), attempts to manage the Arab-Israeli conflict (Brecher 1984;Aoun 2003;Spiegel 1986;), and studies of humanitarian intervention (Clarke and Herbst 1997; Smillie and Minear 2004).…”

Section: Studying Foreign Policy In Comparative Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Foreign Policy Analysis

Lantis¹,

Beasley²

2017

Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics

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Comparative foreign policy analysis (CFP) is a vibrant and dynamic subfield of international relations. It examines foreign policy decision making processes related to momentous events as well as patterns in day-to-day foreign interactions of nearly 200 different states (along with thousands of international and nongovernmental organizations). Scholars explore the causes of these behaviors as well as their implications by constructing, testing, and refining theories of foreign policy decision making in comparative perspective. In turn, CFP also offers valuable lessons to government leaders. This article surveys the evolution of CFP as a subfield over time, with special attention to its contributions to academic understanding and policymaking. It begins with a review of the characteristics and contributions of CFP, followed by acknowledgment of early works that helped establish this area of study. The next section of the article reviews major thematic focuses of CFP, including theories of international pressures and factors that may drive state foreign policy as well as strong foundations in studies of domestic politics. Key internal actors and conditions that can influence state foreign policies include individual leaders, institutions and legislatures, bureaucratic organizations and government agencies, and public opinion and nongovernmental organizations. Following this survey of actors and contemporary theories of their role in foreign policy decision-making, the article develops two illustrations of new directions in CFP studies focused on political party factions and role theory in comparative perspective.

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“…Twenty‐first‐century scholars working in the Aristotelian tradition argue that case studies help accomplish the objective of practical wisdom (Flyvbjerg, ; Flyvbjerg et al, ). Indeed, this approach has already proved fruitful in stimulating critical case study theory as well as research in disciplines such as education (e.g., Bensimon, ; Levinson, ), environmental policy and planning (e.g., Cook, ; Scott & Harvey, ), management (e.g., Githens, ; Heidelberg, ; Townley, ; Van de Ven & Johnson, ), political science (e.g., Sil & Katzenstein, ; Zambernardi, ), and psychology and health sciences (e.g., Hollenberg, ; Krause‐Kjaer & Nedergaard, ; Rose, ; Ware, Hopper, Tugenberg, Dickey, & Fisher, ).…”

Section: Aristotelianism and Family Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Aristotelian Theory of Family

Goodsell

Whiting

2016

J of Family Theo & Revie

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An Aristotelian Theory of FamilyOur purpose is to apply Aristotelian theory to family studies. We introduce Aristotle's work through his debate with Plato over the meaning of family and its role in society. We then explain key concepts in Aristotelian theory, including virtue, practical wisdom, telos, interpretation and evaluation, agency, and human development. We propose an Aristotelian conceptualization of family as a multigenerational institution of mutual responsibility, defined in part through narrative and oriented around developing virtue and helping members reach their potential. Finally, we identify family virtues and consider implications of Aristotelianism for social research, with particular attention to how Aristotle's work provides an epistemological basis for narrative research in general and for case study research in particular. Aristotle's Ideas About FamilyAristotle and Plato famously debated whether it is good for society that people be organized into families. In his Republic, Plato (2012, 449c-461e) took the position that family must be abolished-at least for members of the ruling class. Instead, these individuals should place their entire allegiance to the state to avoid conflicting loyalties. For example, men would share all of the women, and children would be taken from their mothers at birth and raised

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Politics is too important to be left to political scientists: A critique of the theory–policy nexus in International Relations

Cited by 22 publications

References 82 publications

Who makes the world? Academics and (un)cancelling the future

Who makes the world? Academics and (un)cancelling the future

Comparative Foreign Policy Analysis

An Aristotelian Theory of Family

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