Neorealism and the English School:

Abstract

The aim of this article is to reassess the contribution made by members of the English School to the analysis of international relations in the light of Buzan's attempt to harness their analysis to neorealism. It is argued that while Buzan displays a subtle appreciation of the strengths of both these schools, he fails to acknowledge fully the logic underpinning the position adopted by the English School. When this logic has been exposed, it becomes apparent that it can be grafted onto the framework developed by Buzan and used to capture additional complexities associated with the historical evolution of international relations. In the process of exposing the logic, however, it also becomes apparent that there are further complexities linked to the evolution of international relations which neither the neorealists nor the English School can accommodate.