Political Science 2231E Study Guide - Final Guide: Egotism, Hard Power, Hegemony
9 May 2020
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Explanatory theory : (aka descriptive/empirical) explains why and under what circumstances events happen or developments unfold. They embody generalized causal propositions used to test against hard evidence; data that exists separately from our perception of it (mainstream perspective). Interpretive theory : (aka constitutive) imposes meaning on events or issues attempting to understand rather than explain the world. It emphasizes that human reflection is a social process and treats the real world as a series of competing truths or interpretations (critical perspective). Normative theory : (aka prescriptive/political) prescribes values and standards of conduct dealing with what ought to be rather than what is. After ww1 there was a desirability for liberal ideas and theories in conducting international politics within a framework of moral and legal norms. In the 1930s this was criticized by realist theorists and international relations became a divided discipline forming a battleground between liberalism and realism.
