GOVT1621 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Kenneth Waltz, World-Systems Theory, Centralisation

• School: University of Sydney
• Department: Government and International Relations
• Course: GOVT1621
• Professor: Dr. John Brookfield

Document Summary

Key terms: ontology: how we view the world, epistemology: inquiry into what is knowledge, empiricism: senses, rationalism: logical deduction, conventionalism: conventions/social constructions, pragmatism: practice, authority: says so, received from other people, methodology: study of methods. Quantitative vs qualitative data: paradigm: a systematic world view, metatheory: theory about theory. Theories generally have only one epistemology, and do not coexist. Already has a normative theory already built in e. g. classic realism. Theory as a lens to look at the world. Critical: unpack assumptions, examine and challenge assumptions, theories pull together what is important in an increasingly chaotic world. Can it repeat itself: exploring forces, and always contested, historical social form is contingent so is our world. If we can show how the world is constructed, we can deconstruct it. States will always act out of self-interest, will always want to protect themselves. States power is the most important factor in international relations.