A Critical Analysis of Power Theory in International Relations

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-15-2023

Abstract

This article seeks to critically analyze power theory as one of the oldest and most important, yet controversial, theories of international relations ever since the development of the academic discipline in the interwar period. Towards that end, the article starts by delineating the foundations of power theory by highlighting its methodology, core assumptions and political statements. It then moves to critically evaluate the theory by highlighting the main criticisms with respect to its informative content, its empirical adequacy, as well as its relevance to the understanding of contemporary international politics. The article contends that despite the harsh criticisms power theory has received from a number of contending theoretical paradigms within the field of international relations, it still occupies a pivotal role in the field at the theoretical and empirical levels, and offers a useful lens through which scholars can explain and analyze many of the latest developments in international politics.

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