| The dissertation evaluates axioms and theorems of dominant approaches in international relations (IR) to reveal the obsolescence of certain concepts and premises laid bare in the drastically altered post cold war world order. An alternative set of categories is presented as a more appropriate basis from which to proceed with theorizing about IR. I show that these categories were overlooked by methodologies incapable of accommodating change, which created a research agenda that emphasized 'statics' over 'dynamics.' Following my critique of existing theories and their research agendas, I detail an alternative route to theory, via methodology. I treat the post-positivist rejection of methodology and its inability to outline a fruitful research agenda as an overall failure of IR. I demonstrate that the weaknesses in theorizing about IR have been more an issue of methodology than one of epistemology.;In turn I provide an alternative and much less "destructive" critique of IR theory than the currently popular post-positive or postmodern criticisms. The position taken by me while being critical of positivism and rationalism is not in principle critical of the application of science. The application of modern mathematical methodology to the present IR theories leads to what I call "godelization" of IR theories. By godelization I mean that "all consistent axiomatic formulations of number (read IR) theory(ies) include undecidable propositions" (Hofstadter 1979, 17). The resolution of the existing undecidable propositions in IR theories is possible only by developing a metasystemic theory. I call this approach trans-rationalism.;The dissertation introduces to the study of IR methodological tools of non-linear dynamical systems, bifurcation theory. The appropriateness of this modeling technique for IR is also evaluated. The models are built upon the premises of hegemonic stability theory and lateral pressure theory. The case studies evaluate the collapse of the former Soviet Union and the hegemonic profiles of India and USA. The vistas opened by trans-rationalism offer a new approach to "explaining and understanding" IR. The post cold war global environment is no longer seen as an "anarchical" construct but rather as an "heterarchical society.". |
