International Relations

51 International Relations
established in response to mainstream approaches in the field, mainly
liberalism and realism. In a nutshell, critical theorists share one particular trait
– they oppose commonly held assumptions in the field of IR that have been
central since its establishment. Thus, altered circumstances call for new
approaches that are better suited to understand, as well as question, the
world we find ourselves in. Critical theories are valuable because they identify
positions that have typically been ignored or overlooked within IR. They also
provide a voice to individuals who have frequently been marginalised,
particularly women and those from the Global South.
Marxism is a good place to start with critical theories. This approach is based
upon the ideas of Karl Marx, who lived in the nineteenth century at the height
of the industrial revolution. The term ‘Marxist’ refers to individuals who have
adopted Marx’s views and believe that society is divided into two classes –
the business class (the bourgeoisie) and the working class (the proletariat).
The proletariat are at the mercy of the bourgeoisie who control their wages
and therefore their standard of living. Marx hoped for an eventual end to the
class society and overthrow of the bourgeoisie by the proletariat. Critical
theorists who take a Marxist angle often argue that the internationalisation of
the state as the standard operating principle of international relations has led
to ordinary people around the globe becoming divided and alienated, instead
of recognising what they all have in common as a global proletariat. For this
to change, the legitimacy of the state must be questioned and ultimately
dissolved. In that sense, emancipation from the state in some form is often
part of the wider critical agenda.
Postcolonialism differs from Marxism by focusing on the inequality between
nations or regions, as opposed to classes. The effects of colonialism are still
felt in many regions of the world today as local populations continue to deal
with the challenges created and left behind by the former colonial powers.
Postcolonialism’s origins can be traced to the Cold War period when much
activity in international relations centred around decolonisation and the
ambition to undo the legacies of European imperialism. This approach
acknowledges that politics is not limited to one area or region and that it is
vital to include the voices of individuals from other parts of the world. Edward
Said (1978) developed the prominent ‘Orientalist’ critique, describing how the
Middle East and Asia were inaccurately depicted in the West. As a result,
more focus within the discipline was placed on including the viewpoints of
those from the Global South to ensure that Western scholars no longer spoke
on their behalf. This created a deeper understanding of the political and social
challenges faced by people living within these regions as well as an
acknowledgement of how their issues could be better addressed. Postcolonial
scholars are, therefore, important contributors to the field as they widen the
focus of enquiry beyond IR’s traditionally ‘Western’ mindset.