Shows
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryStatus? You Just Met Us!The second installment of our live taping at the British International Studies Association annual convention in Glasgow is a "Whisky Optional" roundtable on status and international-relations theory. Our guests are: Ali Bilgic of Loughborough University, Michelle Murray of Bard College, Rohan Mukherjee of the London School of Economics, and Steven Ward of the University of Cambridge. The taping was sponsored by the Clydeside Distillery.Related readings: Ali Bilgic, Turkey, Power and the West: Gendered International Relations and Foreign Policy; Michelle Murray, The Struggle for Recognition in International Relations: Status, Revisionism, and Rising Powers; Rohan Mukherjee, A...2023-10-151h 15Whiskey & International Relations TheorySocial Forces, States, and Clydeside WhiskyRobert Cox's landmark article, "Social Forces, States and World Orders: Beyond International Relations Theory," appeared in the journal Millennium in 1981. Among other things, it introduced the distinction between "critical" and "problem-solving" theory to international-relations scholars. But this isn't just any old episode where Patrick and Dan ramble their way through some decades-old academic article. No, it's the first-ever live recording of Whisky and IR Theory, which took place in Glasgow in June at the annual convention of the British International Studies Association. And we had a sponsor: the Clydeside Distillery, which generously provided everyone with drinks... and...2023-08-181h 16Whiskey & International Relations TheoryGreat Balls of PowerBack in 2019, Uri Friedman wrote that we "find ourselves—as you will have heard in the corridors of power and conference rooms of think tanks, and read in the government’s strategy documents and the media’s coverage of international relations—in an era of “great-power competition." "As Friedman noted, "great-power competition" has even" achieved hallowed acronym status—GPC..." It's been nearly eight years since the term took off, and international-relations theorists are only just starting to take a close look at its analytical and conceptual dimensions. In this "Whiskey Optional," Dr. Ali Wynne, Dr. Stacie Goddard, and Dr. Jon...2023-07-171h 57
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryA Long, Strange TrekIt's our first "actual" installment of Whiskey & IR Theory in Space! We discuss Star Trek: The Next Generation's 'gay rights' episode, "The Outcast," which Dan uses to introduce his students to different modes of "reading" the politics of (and in) science fiction. PTJ and Dan summarize the episode (can you spoil an 30+ year-old TV show?), discuss their own reactions to it, and then Dan talks about how his students respond to it differently now than they did a 10-15 years ago. The two hosts conclude by descending into rambling geekery as they discuss what they'll cover in the second...2023-05-181h 25Whiskey & International Relations TheoryIntroducing: Whiskey & IR Theory... in Space!Patrick and Dan talk about the newest feature of the podcast: a series in which they combine their long-running seminars on (international) politics and science fiction.In each episode of "Whiskey & IR Theory... in Space!" Patrick and Dan will discuss a book, television episode, or film that they've assigned in classes past. Here, though, they introduce the series by talking about the good, the bad, and the ugly of using popular culture in general — and science fiction in particular — to explore social science and social theory. Works discussed, inter alia, include Jutta Weldes' To Seek Out N...2023-04-2150 min
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryAre We Living in a Simulation... of Sovereignty?PTJ and Dan discuss Cynthia Weber's 1994 book, Simulating Sovereignty: Intervention, the State and Symbolic Exchange. Weber examines "the justifications for intervention offered by the Concert of Europe, President Wilson's administration, and the Reagan-Bush administrations" and analyzes them via a combination of "critical international relations theory and foreign policy analysis." Topics include: why "sovereignty" was so important to critical and constructivist scholars in the 1990s, Jean Beuadriard and International Relations, and the Reagan presidency. Also mentioned in this episode, inter alia, are Andrew Abbott's Time Matters: On Theory and Method, R.BJ. Walker's Inside/Outside: International...2023-03-112h 38
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEverything is RelationalIt's a nostalgia episode for our two hosts, Patrick and Dan.They tackle Mustafa Emirbayer's 1997 article in the American Journal of Sociology, "Manifesto for a Relational Sociology." According to Emirbayer, "Sociologists today are faced with a fundamental dilemma: whether to conceive of the social world as consisting primarily in substances or processes, in static 'things' or in dynamic, unfolding relations."Was that also true of International Relations? PTJ and Dan certainly thought so back in 1999.Is it still true today? The two may or may not answer this question, but they do work through...2023-01-291h 57Whiskey & International Relations TheoryAnarchy vs. The AnarchyThe University of Chicago's Paul Poast claims that G. Lowes Dickinson was the OG "modern" theorist of international relations—and also an "offensive realists." John Mearsheimer invokes Dickinson in Tragedy of Great Power Politics, but notes that Dickinson vocally supported the creation of the League of Nations. Brian Schmidt pays close attention to Dickinson in his work on the history of the discipline. Andreas Osiander also sees Dickinson's account of anarchy as realist, but emphasizes that Dickinson's argument has distinctive "overtones of moralism and voluntarism" and that "Dickinson hope[s] that [anarchy] might be transcended." Jeanne Morefield offers a nu...2022-10-121h 31Whiskey & International Relations TheoryThe New Hierarchy StudiesScholars of international relations don't agree on much, but they at least agree that anarchy (the lack of a common authority to make and enforce rules) is the defining feature of international politics, right? Not exactly. There's a long history of research that emphasizes the hierarchical character of international relations. Now a new wave of scholarship argues that international-relations theory should move beyond anarchy. Some advocate giving it a downgrade. Others want to banish the concept entirely. What drives the new hierarchy studies? Why is it gaining steam? In this episode, David Lake, Dani Nedal...2022-08-091h 26Whiskey & International Relations TheoryInternational Relations in ChinaWhat is the topography of international-relations theory in the People's Republic of China? What is the "Chinese School of International Relations?" Astrid Nordin (King's College, London), Yan Xuetong (Tsinghua University), and Qin Yaqing (Peking University) join the podcast to answer these – and other – questions about Chinese international-relations scholarship. 2022-06-201h 32Whiskey & International Relations TheoryBeing Academic and Pandemic TimeIn this “Whiskey Optional” episode, PTJ facilitates a conversation among four colleagues from different countries and different kinds of academic institutions about the current global pandemic – not primarily about research on the pandemic, but about the experience of being an academic during the pandemic. Since part of that experience involves bringing our theoretical predilections to bear on the contemporary situation, we drift back and forth between the pandemic as a scholarly object and the pandemic as an experiential actuality.2022-04-191h 33Whiskey & International Relations TheorySo a Deputy Foreign Minister and an Academic Realist Walk into a BarIn 2014, John Mearsheimer authored a Foreign Affairs article in which he blamed that year's Ukraine crisis on the U.S., NATO, and the EU. The next year he gave a talk on the subject which the University of Chicago uploaded to YouTube.Last week the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs used excerpts from Mearsheimer's article and talk as part of its efforts to propagandize in favor of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Isaac Chotiner subsequently interviewed Mearsheimer for the New Yorker.For some reason, Patrick and Dan thought it would be a good thing to...2022-03-082h 04Whiskey & International Relations TheoryConstructivists All the Way DownIs Constructivism best understood as a scholarly disposition, a body of theory, or an intellectual movement? Is it still relevant, or has it exceeded its shelf life? What if there are lots of Constructivists but they use different labels for their work?In our third "Whiskey Optional" episode, Dan Nexon sits down with Michelle Jurkovich (University of Massachusetts, Boston) . David McCourt (University of California, Davis), Swati Srivastava (Purdue University), and Brent Steele (University of Utah) to get their thoughts about the state of Constructivism and Constructivist theory. 2022-01-261h 39Whiskey & International Relations TheoryInternational OrderIn this installment of "Whiskey Optional," Stacie Goddard (Wellesley), Evelyn Goh (Australian National University), and Kyle Lascurettes (Lewis and Clark) join the podcast. You'll never guess what the subject of discussion is. Unless you read the title of this episode. Then you'll know that it's about "International order." The panelists tackle such pressing questions as: What is international order, anyway? Is it everything... or nothing at all? Why do academic debates about international order give a lot of scholars a sense of déjà vu? How can a concept that's taken on such a cen...2021-10-071h 40Whiskey & International Relations Theory"W" Stands for "Canonical Realist"PTJ and Dan pick up where they left off – on Chapter 5 of Arnold Wolfers' Discord and Collaboration. There's a lot going on, including a discussion of revisionism, the question of whether "friendship" is possible in world politics, and the distinction between "power" and "influence." They cover classic essays on, for example, the balance of power and "'National Security' as an Ambiguous Symbol." They ask if Wolfers offers an alternative vision of the study of realpolitik... and if that vision is still relevant more than fifty years later.2021-07-311h 29Whiskey & International Relations TheoryName Your Discord Server "and Collaboration"Arnold Wolfers is one of the most important figures of "mainstream" mid-20th century international-relations theory, but is now mostly cited for his definition of "revisionism" and for perhaps his most famous essay, "'National Security' as an Ambiguous Symbol." Discord and Collaboration (1962) collects previously published essays and intersperses them with new ones that are aimed at making the collection more cohesive. It covers a variety of issues that remain subjects of debate in the field, such as state-centrism. Patrick and Dan discuss its arguments, the events that drive some of its analysis, and how it slots into later debates...2021-07-171h 36Whiskey & International Relations TheoryThe Institutionalists Strike BackLess than a year after the appearance of "The False Promise of International Institutions," the journal International Security published replies from Robert Keohane and Lisa Martin, John Ruggie, Clifford and Charles Kupchan, and Alexander Wendt. Patrick and Dan discuss this important moment in the "paradigm wars" of the 1990s and 2000s.2021-06-221h 41
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryPromises, PromisesPatrick and Dan continue their nostalgic tour of 1990s international-relations theory and spend some time with John J. Mearsheimer's 1994 article "The False Promise of International Institutions." This episode runs over two hours, so you can always skip to: biographical material and the whisky selection (13:40); framing of the article (26:55); the article begins (33:50); realism according to Mearsheimer (53:00); the article's criticisms of liberal institutionalism (1:24:30), "collective security" (1:41:30), and "critical theory" (1:45:40); or some concluding remarks (~2:03:30).2021-03-262h 15Whiskey & International Relations TheoryUnderstanding Remains an Open QuestionPatrick and Dan discuss J. Ann Tickner's 1997 article, "You Just Don't Understand: Troubled Engagements Between Feminists and IR Theorists." Topics include liberalism and feminist theory, articles as coalition-building efforts, and Australian whisky.2021-02-101h 34Whiskey & International Relations TheoryCampbell Writes Security, part 2It's not quite Song of Ice and Fire territory, but we're sure a few people will be pleased that the second half of our discussion of David Campbell's Writing Security has dropped.2020-12-221h 11
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 14: Episode 14 - Campbell Writes Security, part 2It's not quite Song of Ice and Fire territory, but we're sure a few people will be pleased that the second half of our discussion of David Campbell's Writing Security has dropped.2020-12-221h 11Whiskey & International Relations TheoryCampbell Writes Security, part 1Patrick and Dan discuss a classic work of critical security studies, David Campbell's Writing Security. Topics include the construction of the Cold War and the film Rising Sun.2020-11-031h 05
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 13 - Campbell Writes Security, part 1Patrick and Dan discuss a classic work of critical security studies, David Campbell's Writing Security. Topics include the construction of the Cold War and the film Rising Sun.2020-11-031h 05
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 12 - The Strange RegimeIn a sequel (of sorts) to Episode 11, Patrick and Dan talk about Susan Strange's "Cave! hic dragones: a critique of regime analysis." Topics include a comparison of "American" and "European" IR, realism as critical theory, the evolution of liberal order (redux), and cats.2020-07-221h 19Whiskey & International Relations TheoryThe Strange RegimeIn a sequel (of sorts) to Episode 11, Patrick and Dan talk about Susan Strange's "Cave! hic dragones: a critique of regime analysis." Topics include a comparison of "American" and "European" IR, realism as critical theory, the evolution of liberal order (redux), and cats.2020-07-221h 19
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 11 - Embedded LiberalismJohn Ruggie's 1982 article, which appeared in a special issue of International Organization on 'international regimes', is an important milestone for theories of hegemony, understandings of liberal (economic) order, and in the evolution of constructivism. Patrick and Dan revisit a piece they remember fondly from graduate school.2020-07-071h 08Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEmbedded LiberalismJohn Ruggie's 1982 article, which appeared in a special issue of International Organization on 'international regimes', is an important milestone for theories of hegemony, understandings of liberal (economic) order, and in the evolution of constructivism. Patrick and Dan revisit a piece they remember fondly from graduate school.2020-07-071h 08Whiskey & International Relations TheoryBananas, Beaches and Bases, part 1We discuss Cynthia Enloe's classic work of feminist international-relations theory. Note that this is a repost of the episode.2020-06-171h 12
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 3 - Bananas, Beaches and Bases, part 1We discuss Cynthia Enloe's classic work of feminist international-relations theory. Note that this is a repost of the episode.2020-06-171h 12Whiskey & International Relations Theory(Epilogue) Race and Securitization TheoryAfter we finished recording the material in Episode 9, we stayed on and talked some more. These are the parts we all agreed are worth posting. Featuring special guests: Jarrod Hayes, Nawal Mustafa, and Robbie Shilliam.2020-05-2520 min
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 10 - (Epilogue) Race and Securitization, part 2After we finished recording the material in Episode 9, we stayed on and talked some more. These are the parts we all agreed are worth posting. Featuring special guests: Jarrod Hayes, Nawal Mustafa, and Robbie Shilliam.2020-05-2520 min
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 9 - Race and Securitization TheoryPatrick and Dan host a panel discussion with Jarrod Hayes, Nawal Mustafa, and Robbie Shilliam.
Their guests try to provide theoretical context for and some larger analysis of the recent controversy over claims that Securitization Theory is irredeemably marred by its putative reliance on colonial and racist scaffolding.
This is a complete episode. The second part consists of an epilogue in which the panel covers some additional topics that did not make it into the main recording.2020-05-211h 47Whiskey & International Relations TheoryRace and Securitization TheoryPatrick and Dan host a panel discussion with Jarrod Hayes, Nawal Mustafa, and Robbie Shilliam. Their guests try to provide theoretical context for and some larger analysis of the recent controversy over claims that Securitization Theory is irredeemably marred by its putative reliance on colonial and racist scaffolding. This is a complete episode. The second part consists of an epilogue in which the panel covers some additional topics that did not make it into the main recording.2020-05-211h 47
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 8 - A Relational Theory of World Politics, part 2Dan and Patrick finish out their discussion of Yaqing Qin's 2018 book. They focus on aspects of Qin's version of relational theorizing and reflect on some of his normative claims.2020-05-131h 28Whiskey & International Relations TheoryA Relational Theory of World Politics, part 2Dan and Patrick finish out their discussion of Yaqing Qin's 2018 book. They focus on aspects of Qin's version of relational theorizing and reflect on some of his normative claims.2020-05-131h 28Whiskey & International Relations TheoryA Relational Theory of World Politics, part 1Yaqing Qin's book marks, according to Astrid Nordin, a long-awaited "full-length English-language" outline of the "theorization of world politics by one of China's most influential and interesting scholars!" What did Patrick and Dan think of it? Listen to find out.2020-05-061h 37
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 7 - A Relational Theory of World Politics, part 1Yaqing Qin's book marks, according to Astrid Nordin, a long-awaited "full-length English-language" outline of the "theorization of world politics by one of China's most influential and interesting scholars!"
What did Patrick and Dan think of it? Listen to find out.2020-05-061h 37Whiskey & International Relations TheoryWendt's (Article) World, part 2The second half of our discussion of two of Wendt's most important articles in the development of "Constructivism" as an approach to the study of world politics.2020-04-131h 04
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 6 - Wendt's (Article) World, part 2The second half of our discussion of two of Wendt's most important articles in the development of "Constructivism" as an approach to the study of world politics.2020-04-131h 04Whiskey & International Relations TheoryWendt's (Article) World, Part 1Patrick and Dan talk about Alexander Wendt, drop some bits about the early history of Constructivism, and then discuss his important 1987 article, The Agent-Structure Problem in International Relations Theory. [Please note that older versions have some editing issues – which should be fixed now]2020-04-091h 20
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 5 - Wendt's (Article) World, Part 1Patrick and Dan talk about Alexander Wendt, drop some bits about the early history of Constructivism, and then discuss his important 1987 article, The Agent-Structure Problem in International Relations Theory. [Please note that older versions have some editing issues – which should be fixed now]2020-04-091h 20Whiskey & International Relations TheoryBananas, Beaches and Bases, Part 2We conclude our look at a classic work of feminist international theory. Note that Part 1 (Episode 3) displays out of order in some feeds. 2020-03-231h 31
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 4 - Bananas, Beaches and Bases, Part 2We conclude our look at a classic work of feminist international theory.2020-03-231h 31Whiskey & International Relations TheoryTheory of International Politics, part 2Patrick and Dan finish out their discussion of Waltz's classic work, Theory of International Politics.2020-02-0958 min
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 2 – Theory of International Politics, part 2Patrick and Dan finish out their discussion of Waltz's classic work, Theory of International Politics.2020-02-0958 min
Whiskey & International Relations TheoryEpisode 1 - Theory of International Politics, part 1Patrick and Dan discuss Waltz's classic book and foundational text of structural realism, Theory of International Politics.2020-02-051h 10Whiskey & International Relations TheoryTheory of International Politics, part 1Patrick and Dan discuss Waltz's classic book and foundational text of structural realism, Theory of International Politics.2020-02-051h 10