Beyond IR Theories: The Case for National Role Conceptions

1. Other works on Realism include Dunne (1998), Carr (2001), Wolfers (1962), Waltz (1979), Wittkopf (2001) and Little (1993).

Abstract

There is no doubt that the theories of International Relations (IR) were developed primarily in response to Eurocentric interests. Until the end of the Cold War, Western analysts configured international politics from the lenses of what happened in Europe. The belief was that studying the Western experience is empirically sufficient to establish generalisations that are applicable to the Third World and in particular African countries. This means the mainstream IR theories—Realism, Liberal-idealism, Marxism, and lately Constructivism—have little to tell us about 80 per cent of the world's population contained in about 140 states. The purpose of this study is to explain the utility of national role conceptions as a more promising analytical tool in the study of foreign policy; role analysis was specifically used to examine Nigeria's quest for a decolonised Southern Africa, while Namibia was the case study.

This article is drawn from the author's unpublished doctoral dissertation, ‘Nigeria's National Role Conceptions: The Case of Namibia 1970–1990’ (University of the Johannesburg, 2005 Witwatersrand).

Notes

This article is drawn from the author's unpublished doctoral dissertation, ‘Nigeria's National Role Conceptions: The Case of Namibia 1970–1990’ (University of the Johannesburg, 2005 Witwatersrand).

1. Other works on Realism include Dunne (1998), Carr (2001), Wolfers (1962), Waltz (1979), Wittkopf (2001) and Little (1993).

2. An illustration of political elites dismantling their governmental structures can be found in William Reno (1998).

3. Text of testimony of F.W. de Klerk to Truth and Reconciliation Commission, 14 May 1997.

4. Waltz (1979, 1986) maintained that theories of IR and foreign policy analysis are distinct.

5. The sociology literature has largely emphasised the structural origin of roles as rooted in the expectation and behaviour of others based on prescribed norms. See Biddle (1979, 1986).

6. Constructivism offers alternative understandings of a number of the central themes in IR theory, including: the meaning of anarchy and balance of power, the relationship between state identity and interest, power and the prospects for change in world politics. The exponents include Wendt (1992), Reus-Smit (2005) and Brown and Ainley (2005).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard Adigbuo

Lecturer, International Political Economy, The Cetep City University, Onikan, Lagos, 2005, PO Box 318, NKWOGWU 462001, Imo state, Nigeria. Email: [email protected]