Publication

This paper looks at the potential intellectual and institutional obstacles to autonomous theory formation. The author argues that the primary obstacle lies within Western IR itself, namely the particularly damaging tradition which denies the very need for more theoretical reflection. The second claim is that the peculiar confusion of IR theory with foreign policy paradigms and a topical approach to IR theorizing are further obstacles to the understanding of the role and significance of IR theory. Finally, the author addresses the institutional obstacles to IR theory.