Africa, S. & Graham, S. 2019. Revisiting International Relations Theory.
Studia Europaea, 64(2): 5-26
"Revisiting International Relations Theory: Discourses from Africa"
Introduction
• There are 195 states globally, but mainstream International Relations
(IR) theory is heavily influenced by the Anglo-American perspective.
• The Anglo-American bias limits the understanding of global realities
and power dynamics, often relegating other regions to footnotes.
The Impact of Geography
• Geography is not the sole indicator of knowledge production, thanks to
globalization, the internet, and academic mobility.
• However, the 'geography' of IR remains underexplored, including how
local experiences become shared generalizations.
Racialized Worldview in IR
• Much of the knowledge produced in IR remains Eurocentric and does not
accurately describe global political, social, and economic relations.
• Some argue that IR is not truly "international" but sectional and
regional, raising questions about its relevance in non-European and
non-Western contexts.
African Contributions to IR Theory
• African scholars have made valuable contributions to IR theory,
challenging the Eurocentric worldview.
• African diversity presents challenges in determining who can speak for
Africa, given its rich political, ethnic, and social variations.
• African scholars have explored topics such as postcolonialism,
dependency, South-South relations, and complex interactions in Africa's
international relations.
Enriching IR Theory with African Perspectives
• African scholars can enrich IR theory by offering reinterpretations of
old stories, providing new linguistic lenses, featuring non-state
actors, and exploring unique African cases.
• The concept of ubuntu and African communal governance could offer
alternative paradigms in IR theory.
• The incorporation of African voices can lead to a more nuanced
understanding of global dynamics and democratization.
, Decolonizing IR
• Scholars call for a "decolonial turn" in IR, emphasizing methodological
changes, diverse voices, contextual understanding of classic IR texts,
rethinking teaching, and challenging asymmetric power relations.
• The goal is to recenter Africa by de-centering Europe in the study of
Africa, fostering a more Afrocentric approach in IR.
By incorporating African perspectives, IR theory can become more inclusive,
reflective of global realities, and less Eurocentric. This enriches the
discipline by diversifying voices and promoting a deeper understanding of
international relations.
Title: Revisiting International Relations Theory: Discourses from Africa
Introduction
• Overview of the article and its focus on International Relations (IR)
theories from an African perspective.
The Birthplace of Diplomacy: Africa's Historical Role
• Subheading: Challenging Western Diplomacy
• Yolanda Spies argues that Africa is the birthplace of diplomacy.
• Evidence: Clay tables reflecting Egypt's ancient diplomacy.
• Mention of diplomatic practices in ancient Aksum and elsewhere in
Africa.
• Examples of African diplomatic practices: intermediaries,
ceremonial protocol, presentation of credentials, and adherence
to customary legal norms.
• Subheading: The Marginalized South's View
• The Encyclopedia of Diplomacy's perspective on diplomatic
practices.
Revisiting the Origins of IR
• Subheading: Alternative Origins Story
• Thakur, Davis, and Vale's contribution to IR literature.
• Origins of central IR ideas in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910.
• Role of young intellectuals known as 'Milner's Kindergarten.'
• Subheading: Impact of South African Experience
Studia Europaea, 64(2): 5-26
"Revisiting International Relations Theory: Discourses from Africa"
Introduction
• There are 195 states globally, but mainstream International Relations
(IR) theory is heavily influenced by the Anglo-American perspective.
• The Anglo-American bias limits the understanding of global realities
and power dynamics, often relegating other regions to footnotes.
The Impact of Geography
• Geography is not the sole indicator of knowledge production, thanks to
globalization, the internet, and academic mobility.
• However, the 'geography' of IR remains underexplored, including how
local experiences become shared generalizations.
Racialized Worldview in IR
• Much of the knowledge produced in IR remains Eurocentric and does not
accurately describe global political, social, and economic relations.
• Some argue that IR is not truly "international" but sectional and
regional, raising questions about its relevance in non-European and
non-Western contexts.
African Contributions to IR Theory
• African scholars have made valuable contributions to IR theory,
challenging the Eurocentric worldview.
• African diversity presents challenges in determining who can speak for
Africa, given its rich political, ethnic, and social variations.
• African scholars have explored topics such as postcolonialism,
dependency, South-South relations, and complex interactions in Africa's
international relations.
Enriching IR Theory with African Perspectives
• African scholars can enrich IR theory by offering reinterpretations of
old stories, providing new linguistic lenses, featuring non-state
actors, and exploring unique African cases.
• The concept of ubuntu and African communal governance could offer
alternative paradigms in IR theory.
• The incorporation of African voices can lead to a more nuanced
understanding of global dynamics and democratization.
, Decolonizing IR
• Scholars call for a "decolonial turn" in IR, emphasizing methodological
changes, diverse voices, contextual understanding of classic IR texts,
rethinking teaching, and challenging asymmetric power relations.
• The goal is to recenter Africa by de-centering Europe in the study of
Africa, fostering a more Afrocentric approach in IR.
By incorporating African perspectives, IR theory can become more inclusive,
reflective of global realities, and less Eurocentric. This enriches the
discipline by diversifying voices and promoting a deeper understanding of
international relations.
Title: Revisiting International Relations Theory: Discourses from Africa
Introduction
• Overview of the article and its focus on International Relations (IR)
theories from an African perspective.
The Birthplace of Diplomacy: Africa's Historical Role
• Subheading: Challenging Western Diplomacy
• Yolanda Spies argues that Africa is the birthplace of diplomacy.
• Evidence: Clay tables reflecting Egypt's ancient diplomacy.
• Mention of diplomatic practices in ancient Aksum and elsewhere in
Africa.
• Examples of African diplomatic practices: intermediaries,
ceremonial protocol, presentation of credentials, and adherence
to customary legal norms.
• Subheading: The Marginalized South's View
• The Encyclopedia of Diplomacy's perspective on diplomatic
practices.
Revisiting the Origins of IR
• Subheading: Alternative Origins Story
• Thakur, Davis, and Vale's contribution to IR literature.
• Origins of central IR ideas in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910.
• Role of young intellectuals known as 'Milner's Kindergarten.'
• Subheading: Impact of South African Experience
