International Studies: Interdisciplinary Approaches

This volume challenges the current state of International Relations (IR), which the authors characterize as a fragmented, introverted discipline overly focused on state-centric power politics. By tracing the historical development of the field—from the interdisciplinary origins of the 1930s to the post-1950s 'disciplinary turn'—the authors argue that IR has sacrificed analytical depth for institutional status. They propose 'International Studies' (IS) as a broader, more pluralistic field that can better address the complexities of the contemporary world by drawing on insights from geography, sociology, history, philosophy, and political economy.

The authors distinguish between various modes of engagement: multidisciplinarity (simply gathering different perspectives), transdisciplinarity (crossing boundaries to create new theories), and neodisciplinarity (institutionalizing specific interdisciplinary practices). They advocate for a 'neodisciplinary' approach, where IS functions as a novel field that does not merely aggregate existing disciplines but actively builds open-ended research programs. These programs are designed to be flexible, allowing scholars to tackle specific puzzles—such as globalization, identity, or environmental change—that traditional IR theories often fail to capture.

To move beyond the 'great debates' that have historically defined IR, the authors suggest adopting a methodology inspired by the philosophy of science, specifically the work of Imre Lakatos. By viewing IS as a series of 'research programs' with 'positive heuristics,' scholars can expand their inquiries into related fields without losing their core focus. This allows for a systematic, yet pluralistic, way of organizing research that remains responsive to new empirical realities while maintaining theoretical rigor.

This work is essential for researchers and students who find the current boundaries of IR restrictive. By reframing the 'international' as a dynamic social and political process rather than just a set of interactions between sovereign states, the authors provide a roadmap for more inclusive and theoretically diverse scholarship. It encourages a move away from the 'splendid isolation' of IR toward a collaborative, interdisciplinary future that is better equipped to understand the multifaceted nature of global life.