INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS LECTURE 5

CRITICAL REALISM
INTRODUCTION

 Postp-positivism trend in the 1970s and 1980s

 Similar to constructivism, different scholars have different frameworks for CR.
 All critical realist frameworks are post-positivist.
 Main most recognised framework for CR is based on the work of Roy Bhaskar, this lecture will limit itself to his
work when discussing CR.
CRITICAL REALISM

 CR embraces ontology unlike many positivist theories.

 Different from constructivism due to its ontological position.
 Similar to classic realism, CR states the nature of reality is different from peoples perceptions of it.
 Unlike constructivism, it does not make space of multiple realities but rather holds the view that there are
multiple interpretations of reality.
 Much like constructivism, CR concerns itself with causation, agency/actorness and structures/norms.
 Therefore, it is concerned with finding out ontological implications of social phenomenon.
 Distinguishes between philosophical and scientific ontologies (unlike constructivism).
 CR is based on relativism.
CRITICAL REALISM

 CR embraces materialism. Some ontologies require a positivist approach. However, unlike all positivist forms of
realism, it also makes room for social constructions of reality which is why philosophical ontologies are accepted
and the approach used is relativist.
 Causality is of uttermost importance. It diverges from constructivism again when CR theorists recognise
empirical events and state that these events affect other empirical events. This is one of the main criticisms of
constructivism by CR theorists.
 Bhaskar, R (1997)  stratified ontology: reality is layered  empirical (observable), actual (events that occur) and
real (structures/norms and mechanisms which exist but are not material).
CRITICAL REALISM

 CR does not use levels analysis. Instead it advocates the idea of “emergent powers”.
 Emergent powers  political phenomenon has certain qualities that come from the social conditions that shape
them. Therefore, all political acts and influenced by social causation in the form of social conditions and must be
dealt with individually in their own way.
 CR theorists state that natural science cannot be explained by social constructions as it a separate entity.
Constructivists argue that because the world is understood by humans using their own human perceptions, it is
socially constructed.
 CR differentiates between natural and social structures/norms.
 With regards to structures/norms and agency/actorness, Bhaskar talks of the transformational model of social
activity. This model puts forward the view that people when carrying out any action are concisely and sub-
consciously carrying out these actions while reproducing the structures/norms that govern their actions/activities.
CRITICISMS OF CR

 Since human perceptions are used to understand the world, the world is what we make of it and therefore there
is no external material world outside of social constructions.
 By stating empirical facts, CR becomes judgmental instead of objective. For example, if a social organisation
believes in something and the CR theorist’s data contradicts the this belief, it leads to criticism of the social
organisation to some extent. That itself is not objective.