Critical Theorists and International Relations

A wide range of critical theorists is used in the study of international politics, and until now there has been no text that gives concise and accessible introductions to these figures. Critical Theorists and International Relations provides a wide-ranging introduction to thirty-two important theorists whose work has been influential in thinking about global politics. Each chapter is written by an expert with a detailed knowledge of the theorist concerned, representing a range of approaches under the rubric ‘critical’, including Marxism and post-Marxism, the Frankfurt School, hermeneutics, phenomenology, postcolonialism, feminism, queer theory, poststructuralism, pragmatism, scientific realism, deconstruction and psychoanalysis. Key features of each chapter include: a clear and concise biography of the relevant thinker an introduction to their key writings and ideas a summary of the ways in which these ideas have influenced and are being used in international relations scholarship a list of suggestions for further readingWritten in engaging and accessible prose, Critical Theorists and International Relations is a unique and invaluable resource for undergraduates, postgraduates and scholars of international relations.

Edkins and Vaughan-Williams have produced a very helpful collection of introductions to the thinking of a wide variety of writers who have been influential in the critical analysis of international relations. This comprehensive set of accessible introductions helps the reader understand the core contributions of writers who have been seminal in the development of a critical account of international relations.Professor Steve Smith Vice-Chancellor, University of Exeter"As one who usually resists teaching IR courses, I welcome Jenny Edkins' and Nick Vaughan-Williams' Critical Theorists and International Relations. I can finally see myself as an occasional IR instructor in a book that provides the critical perspectives lacking in most IR texts, is organized to facilitate pedagogy, and is consistently excellent, chapter by chapter."--Michael J. Shapiro, University of Hawai'i"Global politics has provided an important context of critical theory. Yet its growing complexity has also called attention to the ongoing task of articulating and reflecting upon the roles of identity, power, order, and resistance in International Relations.Critical Theorists and International Relations is a splendid and much-needed volume that addresses and fills, in a truly original manner, this important niche. Providing comprehensive and authoritative analyses of the key critical theorists, this edited volume will continue to remind us of the ever-present need to wrestle harder with the contextual and overlapping meanings of critical theory in International Relations."Steven C. Roach, Editor of Critical Theory and International Relations: A Reader, University of South FloridaA deceptively simple idea outstandingly executed. This is a collection of diverse scholarship exploring the wide parameters of critical international theory. No stodgy hagiography, the contributors offer an accessible but critical collection of (often-personal) reflections on some of the most important thinkers in IR. Students of international politics from a wide range of methodological persuasions will find this book an invaluable starting point.Stuart Shields, University of Manchester, Edkins and Vaughan-Williams have produced a very helpful collection of introductions to the thinking of a wide variety of writers who have been influential in the critical analysis of international relations. This comprehensive set of accessible introductions helps the reader understand the core contributions of writers who have been seminal in the development of a critical account of international relations.Professor Steve Smith Vice-Chancellor, University of ExeterAs one who usually resists teaching IR courses, I welcome Jenny Edkins' and Nick Vaughan-Williams' Critical Theorists and International Relations. I can finally see myself as an occasional IR instructor in a book that provides the critical perspectives lacking in most IR texts, is organized to facilitate pedagogy, and is consistently excellent, chapter by chapter.Michael J. ShapiroUniversity of Hawai'i"Global politics has provided an important context of critical theory. Yet its growing complexity has also called attention to the ongoing task of articulating and reflecting upon the roles of identity, power, order, and resistance in International Relations.Critical Theorists and International Relations is a splendid and much-needed volume that addresses and fills, in a truly original manner, this important niche. Providing comprehensive and authoritative analyses of the key critical theorists, this edited volume will continue to remind us of the ever-present need to wrestle harder with the contextual and overlapping meanings of critical theory in International Relations."Steven C. Roach, Editor of Critical Theory and International Relations: A ReaderA deceptively simple idea outstandingly executed. This is a collection of diverse scholarship exploring the wide parameters of critical international theory. No stodgy hagiography, the contributors offer an accessible but critical collection of (often-personal) reflections on some of the most important thinkers in IR. Students of international politics from a wide range of methodological persuasions will find this book an invaluable starting point.Stuart Shields, University of Manchester

Jenny Edkins is Professor of International Politics at Aberystwyth University. Her books include Global Politics: A New Introduction, with Maja Zehfuss (Routledge, 2008)Nick Vaughan-Williams is Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Exeter. He is co-editor of Terrorism and the Politics of Response (Routledge 2008).