By Patrick Bongo Student No MA in International Relations Staffordshire University

 Campbell, in Dunne et al (2007: 213) defines poststructuralism as “a distinct philosophical domain which has a critical relation to structuralism, modernity, and postmodernity”.  We understand by Campbell’s definition that poststructuralism scrutinizes the ideas expressed by a number of theories in recent times.

 George and Campbell (1990: 281) both concur that postructuralism is an emphatically political perspective, which refuses to privilege any partisan political line, for it equates such privileging with the grand, universal claims for unity and truth in modern theory and the dogma of the hermetically sealed tradition.  Henceforth, we could argue from the duo’s view that poststructuralism will not leave any knowledge unchallenged, for it believes that all representations of knowledge are one sided.

For its critical approach, poststructuralism is known to use a range of tools such as:  Critical social movements (George and Campbell, 1990: 285)  Marginalized voices, different histories and cultural experiences (George and Campbell, 1990: 285)  Practices of other academics, as well as those of policy makers and workers in government and nongovernmental organisations (Edkins in Grifiths, 2007: 94)  Archives, images, survey data and content analysis (Campbell in Dunne et al, 2007: 226)

1. Criticised the realist and neorealist understanding by claiming that it is driven by theories and assumptions rather than empirical work 2. Scrutinized the identity of the state, by studying its origins and foundations 3. Challenged realism static status after global changes 4. Sought to understand how relations were constructed inside and outside the state (Campbell in Dunne et al, 2007)

5. Critically engaged in the production and implications of the changes in culture, economies, society and politics 6. Focus on how people are regarded in different parts of the world 7. Looks at the nature of individuals, their humanity and the power structures that produce them (Campbell in Dunne et al, 2007)

8. Tries to establish possible reasons for the status quo, through discourse and suggests alternatives where appropriate (Campbell in Dunne et al, 2007) 9. Studies on how particular social practices – things people do – work in terms of the relations of power and the ways of thinking that such practices produce or support (Edkins in Griffiths, 2007)

10. Perception of power as something that is produced through relations 11. Subjectivity, language, new ways of analyzing power relations and politics, and a sensitivity to the importance of what cannot be spoken: the excess or the lack (Edkins in Griffiths, 2007)

12. Exploring origins of (Western) diplomatic culture and its universal influence 13. Practical theory in the post-cold war era, that deals with strategy and security 14. Criticism of military spending while other groups of society are marginalized (George, 1995)

15. Presenting famine and practices of aid, including experiences from wars in a different light. 16. Highlighted the impact of race that has been almost entirely ignored in world politics (Smith and Owens, in Baylis and Smith, 2008)

In as much as Postructuralism has provided a thorough critique of IR theories, we have to acknowledge that it does little to address the current challenges posed by the rapidly emerging force of globalisation and terrorism. If anything, Postructuralism has done more to address the state’s domestic social problems as opposed to the task of solving conflicts.

Poststructuralism appears very critical of almost every theory from any discipline it comes into contact with, without having a particular base. Henceforth, it is quite tempting to agree with Ashley (1981), who perceives Poststructuralism as the life of a vagabond who is a stranger to every place and faith, knowing that he can never be at home among the people who dwell there, knowing that no place or faith can secure his life and assuredly serve his will, knowing that he is always in jeopardy of being forcefully evicted there from.

 Campbell David, in Dunne, Tim et al (2007). International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity. Oxford University Press. Pp 213, 226.  George, J and Campbell, D (1990). Patterns of Dissent and the celebration of Difference: Critical Social Theory and International Relations, International Studies Quarterly, 34 (3). Pp 281 & 285.  Edkins, Jenny in Griffiths, M (2007). International Relations Theory for the Twenty-First Century. Routledge. Pp 94.

 George, Jim (1995). Thinking Beyond International Relations: Postmodernism- Reconceptualizing Theory As Practice, in George, Discourses of Global Politics: A Critical (Re) Introduction to International Relations, (Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner). Pp 191 – 217.  Smith, Steve and Owens, Patricia (2008). Alternative Approaches to International Theory. Chapter 10, Baylis and Smith, The Globalization of World Politics, 4 th Edition, Oxford University Press.

 Ashley, R. K. (1981). Political Realism and Human Interests. International Studies Quarterly, 34 (3).