Modernity, postmodernism and international relations

Nick Rengger

Mark Hoffman

pp. 127-147

in: Joe Doherty, Elspeth Graham, Mo Malek (eds), Postmodernism and the social sciences, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 1992

Abstract

There is a certain irony in discussing postmodernism and the social sciences in relation to the study of international relations. This results from the subject matter of international relations and the manner in which it is approached. As Philip Windsor has noted, international relations "literally considers the fate of the world". As such, "it is bound to be comprehensive by virtue of its preoccupation, but it can not be unitary because of its preoccupation" (Windsor, 1987: 187). It has a unifying concern, but no unifying methodology or philosophy. The result is a subject area which it is difficult at times to hold together. In consequence, international relations is by nature a fragmented "discipline". This fragmentation is unavoidable. However, it is not necessarily a weakness and may even be seen as desirable.