Marxism and International Relations: A Strange Case of Mutual Neglect

Susan Strange , 'International Economics and International Relations: A Case of Mutual Neglect', International Affairs (Vol. 46, No. 2, 1970), pp. 304-15.

Ibid., p. 307. 11

For recent examples of this, see R.J. Barry Jones , 'International Political Economy: Problems and Issues. Part 1', Review of International Studies (Vol. 1, No. 4, October 1981), pp. 245-60; N. Choucri , 'International Political Economy: A Theoretical Perspective' in O. Holsti, R. Silverson and A. George (eds.), Changes in the Internarional SysJern (Boulder, CO: Westview, 1980), pp. 103-29; Roger Tooze , 'Economics, International Political Economy and Change in the International System' in B. Buzan and R.J. Barry Jones (eds.), Change and the Study of International Relations ( London : Frances Pinter, 1981), pp. 120-37.

Report of the Review Committee on Overseas Representation 1968-1969 (London: HMSO, Cmnd 4107, 1969).

See for example J. Galtung , 'A Structural Theory of Imperialism', Journal of Peace Research (Vol. 8, No. 2, 1971); G. Palma , 'Dependency: A Formal Theory of Underdevelopment, or a Methodology for the Analysis of Concrete Situations of Underdevelopment?', World Development (Vol. 6, 1978); T. Smith , 'The Underdevelopment of Development Literature: The Case of Dependency Theory', World Politics (Vol. 31, No. 1, Jan 1979); V. Kubálková and A. Cruikshank , International Inequality ( London: Croom Helm , 1981). especially chapters 3 and 4.

See, for example, R.J. Barry Jones , 'The Contribution of Marxist Perspectives to the Study of International Affairs', a paper delivered to the third annual conference of the British International Studies Association, December 1976; T. Thorndike. 'The Revolutionary Approach: The Marxist Perspective' in T. Taylor (ed.), Approaches and Theory in International Relations (London: Longman, 1978), pp. 54-99; V. Kubalkova and A. Cruikshank , 'A Double Omission', British Journal of International Studies (Vol. 3. No. 3, 1977). Also, their 'Marxist Perspectives and the Study of International Relations, a rejoinder to J. Frankel's critical comments in Review of International Studies (Vol. 7, No. 1, 1981); J. Frankel , 'Marxism for Pluralists', paper to the British International Studies Association Annual Conference, December 1981; J. Maclean. 'Marxist Epistemology, Explanations of "Change" and the Study of International Relations' in B. Buzan and R.J. Barry Jones (eds.), op. cit, pp. 46-67.

J. Maclean , 'Political Theory. International Theory and Problems of Ideology', Millennium: Journal of International Studies (Vol. 10, No, 2, Summer 1981 ), pp. 102-25.

See, for example, P.A. Samuelson. Economics: An Introductory Analysis , 8th ed. (New York: McGraw Hill, 1971), pp. 1-5; R.G. Lipsey , An Introduction to Positive Economics, 3rd ed. ( London: Weidenfcld and Nicolson, 1971), pp. 4-16.

For general discussions of this notion of 'tradition' in the history of social science theory see W.H. Dray , Philosophy of History ( Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1964); J.G. Funnell , Political Theory: Tradition and Interpretation (Boston, MA: Winthrop, 1979, (see also review of this by J.G. Pocock in Political Theory (Vol. 28, November 1980), pp. 563-7) ; R. Ashcraft , 'Political Theory and the Problem of Ideology'. Journal of Politics (Vol. 42, 1980), pp. 687-705; J.G. Pocock , 'The History of Political Thought: A Methodological Enquiry' in P. Laslett and W. Runciman (eds.), Philosophy, Politics and Society, Second Series (Oxford: Basil Blackwell , 1962). For particular discussions see D.N. Winch , Adam Smith's Politics: An Essay in Historiographic Revision ( Cambridge: Cambridge University Press , 1978); C.D. Tarlton , 'The Creation and Maintenance of Governments: A Neglected Dimension of Hobbes' Leviathan', Political Studies (Vol. 26, 1978 ); R. Ashcraft , 'Revolutionary Politics and Locke's Two Treatises of Government: Radicalism and Lockean Political Theory', Political Theory (Vol. 28, Nov. 1988); J. Maclean , 'Political Theory, International Theory, and Problems of Ideology', op. cit

D.N. Winch , op. cit, p. 18.

For examples of this see: J. Frankel , 'Marxists for Pluralists', op. cit, p. 9; also his 'A Double Omission; A Reply to Dr. KubAlkovd and Professor Cruikshank ', British Journal of International Studies (Vol. 4, No. 1, April 1978 ), pp. 59-61; T. Thorndike. 'The Revolutionary Approach: the Marxist Perspective' in T. Taylor (ed.), op. cit, p. 60: V. Kubàlkovà and A. Cruikshank , Marxism-Leninism and Theory of Internalional Relations ( London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1980), p. xv; C. Reynolds , Theory and Explanation in World Politics (London: Martin Robertson, 1973), pp. 95-102, and p. 219; F. Parkinson , The Philosophy of International Relations (London: Sage, 1977), chapters 5, 7 and 11.

See Michael Nicholson , 'The Enigma of Martin Wight'. Review of International Studies (Vol. 7, No. 1, 1981), pp. 15-22.

M. Wight. 'Why Is There No International Theory?', International Relations (Vol. 2, No. 1, April 1960).

Michael Nicholson , op. cit, p. 16.

See on this point K. Marx, Grundrisse , ed. Martin Nicolaus (London: Penguin Books, 1973), pp. 53-4 in Nicolaus's introduction. Here, Nicolaus refers to correspondence of Marx that places Capital as only one part of a whole project, planned to consist of 6 books. The final three of these were to be (1) The State, (2) International Trade, (3) World Market. The last of these, on the World Market, is also mentioned clearly in Volume 3 of Capital as being part of the eventual continuation of the project commenced with Capital.

R. Owen and B. Sutcliffe , Stredies in the Theory of Imperialism (London: Longman, 1972) or L. Kolakowski , Main Currents of Marxism (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1979).

See P. Slater , The Origins and Significance of the Frankfurt School (London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1977), especially chapters 2, 3 and 4; M. Jay , The Dialectical Imagination (London: Heinemann, 1973), chapters 2 and 3; D. Held , Introduction to Critical Theory (London: Hutchinson, 1980).

K.N. Waltz , Theory of International Politics, (Reading, MA : Adison-Wesley, 1979), chapter 2. The criticism of Lenin is compelling, although the extent of identification between Hobson and Lenin assumed by Waltz is grossly mistaken.

See, for example, P. Dunleavy , Urban Political Analysis ( London: Macmillan, 1980) ; A. Cox , 'Corporatism and Reductionism: The Analytic Limits of the Corporatist Thesis', Government and Opposition (Vol. 16, Spring 1981).

See, for example, I. Gough , The Political Economy of the Welfare State . (London: Macmillan , 1979); G. Kay , The Economic Theory of the Working Class (London: Macmillan, 1980 ); R. Milliband , Parliamentary Socialism, ( London: Merlin. 1972); D. Rubinstein and D. Martin (eds.), Ideology and the Labour Movement ( London: Croom Helm, 1979); also, the various writings of L. Althusser and N. Poulantzas.

I include within this dominant tradition both 'traditionalist/classical' and 'scientific/ behaviouralist' approaches to international relations. I will refer later in the paper to some of the grounds for substantiating this, but the full argument may be found in my 'Marxist Epistemology, Explanations of Change, and the Study of International Relations', op. cit.

The point here is that whether or not there are mistakes and/or flaws in Marx's analysis of Capital, what is mistaken is to present the lattter as a comprehensive account of capitalism, that is, as a prejudged, imposed realisation of 'a theory'. For to do so is to assume social reality is an object, and to risk shifting theory into doctrine.

R.J. Barry Jones , 'The Contribution of Marxist Perspectives to the Study of International Affairs', op. cit, p. 22.

On this point, see A. Sayer , 'Abstraction: A Realist Interpretation Radical Philosophy (No. 28, Summer 1981), p. 14.

Chris Brown , 'International Theory: New Directions?', Review of International Studies (Vol. 7, No. 3, July 1981), p. 183.

'Dialectical' meaning an argument from contradiction which takes hold because of some inner complexity in the reality concerned, and implies a different conception of necessity than that associated with Aristotelian logic. Sec C. Taylor , Hegel and Modern Society (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1979), pp. 32-68.

I have discussed this more fully elsewhere, see my 'Marxist Epistemology, theories of social change and the study of International Relations' , op. cit, pp. 57-65.

Details as for footnote 8.

P.A. Samuelson , Economics: An Introductory Analysis, op. cit. p. 5.

For more detailed discussion on these aspects see, for example, the introduction to D.N. Winch (ed.), Principles of Political Economy, op. cit. and Adam Smith's Politics: An Essay in Histiographical Revision, op. cit

K. Marx , Grundrisse, op. cit, p. 101.

For expansion of this point, see A. Sayer , op. cit.

K. Marx , Capital, Vol. 1, ed. E. Mandel (London: Penguin, 1976), pp. 163-77.

See I.I. Rubin , Essays on Marx's Theory of Value (Montreal: Black Rose Books, 1975).

I have discussed this development more fully in my 'Marxist Epistemology, Theories of Social Change and the Study of International Relations', op. cit, pp. 53-7.

See K. Marx , Grundrisse, op. cit, pp. 100-8.

For an expanded discussion on this point, specifically with reference to International Relations, see K.N. Waltz , op. cit, chapters 1 and 3, and R. Little , `A Systems Approach' in T. Taylor (ed.), op. cit, pp. 184-9.

K. Popper , The Open Society and its Enemies, Vol. 2, (London: Routledge and Kegan Paul , 1962), p. 68.

K.N. Waltz , op. cit, pp. 39-40.

For expanded discussion on this point see my 'Marxist Epistemology. Theories of Social Change and the Study of International Relations', op. cit, pp. 51-2.

Ibid, pp. 55-7.

For discussion, in more detail, of the epistemological points raised here, see ibid, ; and R. Bhaskar , The Possibility of Naturalism (Brighton: Harvester , 1979): R. Harre , The Philosophies of Science ( Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1972): R. Keat and J. Urry. Social Theory as Science ( London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1975).

For various discussions around this point, see B. Buzan and R.J. Barry Jones (eds.), op. cit.

On this point, see G. Hempel , Philosophy of Natural Science (Englewood Cliffs. NJ: Prentice-Hall , 1966).

I am grateful for discussions with Zdenek Kavan about this question of historical explanation, which have helped me to clarify the issue and ways in which it may be resolved. The view expressed here though is not necessarily the one he would take!

See K. Marx , Capital, Vol. 1, op. cit , p. 102.

Kenneth Boulding , 'General Systems Theory: The Skeleton of Science '. General Systems (Vol. 1, No. 1, 1956).

J.D. Singer , 'The Level of Analysis Problem in International Relations', in J. Rosenau (ed.), Interrrational Politics and Forest Policy (New York: Free Press. 1969). pp. 20-9.

K. Waltz , op. cit

See Chris Brown , op. cit For full discussion of the issue, see my 'Political Theory, International Theory, and Problems of Ideology '. op. cit

Ibid.

The lively discussion between Kubálková and Cruikshank on the one hand, and Frankel, and Young, on the other, in Review of International Studies. between 1978 and 1981, confirms this assessment I think. See V. Kubalkova and A. Cruikshank , 'A Double Omission', op. cit; J. Frankel , 'A Double Omission: A Reply to Dr. Kuhalkova and Professor Cruikshank', op. cit, pp. 59-61 ; V. Kubalkova and A. Cruikshank. 'Marxist Perspectives and the Study of International Relations'. Review of Internutional Studies (Vol. 7, No. I, Jan. 1981); Elizabeth Long, note in Review of International Studies (Vol. 7. No. 4, Oct. 1981), p. 261.

See, for example, V. Kubalkova and A. Cruickshank , 'A Double Omission', op. cit See also J. Frankel's reply to this, ' A Double Omission: A Reply to Dr. Kubalkova and Professor Cruikshank', op. cit; T. Thorndike , op. cit ; R.N. Berki , On Marxian Thought and the Problem of International Relations', World Politics (Vol. 23, No. 3, Oct. 1971).

This is Fred Halliday's term, developed in his important critique, 'Vigilantism in International Relations: Kubalkova, Cruickshank and Marxist Theory'. Review of International Studies (Vol. 13.No. 3, July, 1987),pp. 163-75.especially p. 165.

See review article by P. Reynolds , 'Of Politics and Paradigms ', Review of Internarianal Studies (Vol. 13, No. 1, Jan. 1987), pp. 66-7.

Besides the 'A Double Omission' paper already cited, see Marxism-Leninism and Theory of International Relations, op. cit; International Inequality, op. cit; Marxism and International Relations (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1985); and 'The "New Cold War" in "Critical International Relations Studies" ', Review of International Studies (Vol. 12, No, 3, July 1986), pp. 163-85.

On the pervasiveness of this in Western social and political theory, see Diana H. Coole , Women in Political Theory (Brighton: Wheatsheaf Books, 1988), especially Introduction.

R.B.J. Walker , 'Realism, Change, and International Political Theory', International Studies Quarterly (Vol. 31, No. I, March 1987), p. 75.

See Fred Halliday , op. cit, p. 164. Emphasis in the original.

Susan Strange , 'International Economics and International Relations: a Case of Mutual Neglect', op. cit

See, for example, Susan Strange , 'Cave! Hic Dragones: A Critique of Regime Analysis', International Organization (Vol. 36, No. 2, Spring 1982 ); Susan Strange , Casino Capitalism (Oxford : Basil Blackwell, 1986); and Susan Strange , States and Markets (London: Frances Pinter, 1988).

R.O. Keohane , Neo-Realism and its Critics ( New York: Columbia University Press, 1986); R. Gilpin , The Political Economy of International Relations (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1987). See also Gilpin's US Power and the Multinational Corporation (New York: Basic Books, 1975) and War and Change in World Politics (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1981).

Susan Strange , 'International Economics and International Relations: A Strange Case of Mutual Neglect', op. cit, p. 307,

Susan Strange , States and Markets, op. cit , pp, 12-22.

Roger Tooze , 'International Political Economy and International Relations: From 'Enfant Terrible' to Child Prodigy, or Just a Cuckoo in the Nest?', Millennium: Journal of International Studies (Vo1. 16, No. 2, Summer 1987), pp. 347-51, and his review article, 'The Emergence of a New International Political Economy: A Realist View', Millennium: Journal of International Studies (Vol. 16, No. 3, Winter 1987), pp. 523-8.

See John Maclean , 'Marxist Epistemology, explanations of "Change" and the study of International Relations' in B. Buzan and R. Barry Jones (eds.), op. cit, p. 46-67; John Maclean , 'Interdependence: An Ideological Intervention in International Relations?' in R. Barry Jones and P. Willetts (eds.), Interdependence on Trial (London: Frances Pinter, 1984); John Maclean , 'Belief Systems and Ideology in International Relations: A Critical Approach' in R. Little and S. Smith (eds.), Belief Sysrems in International Relations (Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1988).

Richard K. Ashley , 'Political Realism and Human Interests ', International Studies Quarterly (Vol. 25, No. 2, 1981), pp. 204-36; Richard K. Ashley , 'The Poverty of Neo-Realism', International Organisation (Vol. 38, No. 2, 1984), pp. 225-86; Robert Gilpin , 'The Richness of the Tradition of Political Realism', International Organization (Vol. 38, No. 2, 1984), pp. 287-304; Robert Gilpin , The Political Economy of International Relations, op, cit; John Ruggie , 'Continuity and Transformation in the World Polity: Towards a Neo-Realist Synthesis', World Politics (Vol. 35, No. 2, 1983), pp. 261-85; James Der Derian , 'Mediating Estrangement: A Theory for Diplomacy', Review of International Studies (Vol. 13. No. 2, April 1987 ), pp. 91-110; James Der Derian , On Diplomacy: A Genealogy of Estrangement (London: Blackwell, 1987); Stephen Gill , 'Hegemony, Consensus and Trilateralism', Review of International Studies (Vol. 13, No. 3, July 1986), pp. 205-22; Robert Cox , 'Social Forces, States and World Orders: Beyond International Relations Theory', Millennium: Journal of International Studies (Vol. 10, No. 2, 1981), pp. 126-55: Robert Cox , 'Gramsci, Hegemony and International Relations: An Essay in Method', Millennium: Journal of International Studies (Vol. 12, No. 2, 1983), pp. 162-75; Fred Halliday , 'Vigilantism in International Relations: Kubalkova, Cruickshank and Marxist Theory', Review of International Studies (Vol. 13, No. 3, July 1987), pp. 163-75; Fred Halliday , 'State and Society in International Relations: A Second Agenda', Millennium: Journal of International Studies (Vol. 16, No. 2, Summer 1987), pp. 215-29; Andrew Linklater , 'Realism, Marxism and Critical International Theory', Review of International Studies (Vol. 12, No. 4, October 1986), pp. 301-12; Robert Keohane (ed.), Neo-Realism and its Critics, op. cit; Mark Hoffman , 'Critical Theory and the Inter-Paradigm Debate', Millennium: Journal of International Studies (Vol. 16, No. 2, 1987), pp. 231-49; R.B.J. Walker , 'World Politics and Western Reason: Universalism, Pluralism, Hegemony', Alternatives (Vol. 7, No. 2, 1981), pp. 195-227; R.B.J. Walker , 'The Territorial State and the Theme of Gulliver', International Journal (Vol. 39, No. 3, 1984), pp. 529-52; and R.B.J. Walker , 'Realism, Change and International Political Theory', op. cit

Mark Hoffman , op. cit

Michael Nicholson , 'The Edwards Report and the International Relations Profession', Review of International Studies (Vol. 14, No. 2, April 1988 ), pp. 149-52.

See M. Shapiro (ed.), Language and Politics (Oxford: Blackwetl , 1984); James Der Derian , 'Mediating Estrangement: a theory for diplomacy', op. cit; Bradley Klein , 'Hegemony and Strategic Culture: American Power Proportion and Alliance Defence Politics ', Review of International Studies (Vol. 14, No. 2, April 1988), pp. 133-48.

For a clear and thoughtful account of post-structuralist theory, in an area as yet removed from international relations, see C. Watson , Feminist Pratice and Poststructuralist Theory (Oxford: Blackwell, 1987). For an earlier powerful statement of discourse as a total ensemble of the relations of intersubjectivity and material practices, see P. Bourdieu , Outline of A Theory of Practice (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1977).

See, for example, John Hall (ed.), States in History (Oxford: Blackwell , 1986); A. Giddens , The Nation State and Violence (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985); Theda Skocpol , States and Social Revolutions (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1979); J. Baechler , J. Hall and M. Mann (eds.), Europe and the Rise of Capitalism (Oxford: Blackwell, 1988); Christopher Thorne , 'Societies, Sociology and the International ' in W. Outhwaite and M. Mulkay (eds.), Social Theory and Social Criticism (Oxford: Blackwell. 1987); and M. Shaw (ed.), War, State and Society ( London: Longman, 1984).

Fred Halliday , 'State and Society in International Relations: A Second Agenda', op. cit

Andrew Linklater , 'Realism, Marxism and Critical International Theory', op. cit

For evidence of this trend, see books and articles by Ashley, Gilpin, Strange, Halliday, Giddens, and Linklater cited above.

R.B.J. Walker , 'Realism, Change and International Political Theory . op. cit

J. Maclean , 'Political Theory, International Theory, and Problems of Ideology', op. cit, pp. 118-9.