International relations theory and the practice of international history

Jackson, P. and Imlay, T. (2023) International relations theory and the practice of international history. In: Bukovansky, M., Keene, E., Reus-Smit, C. and Spanu, M. (eds.) The Oxford Handbook of History and International Relations. Oxford University Press, pp. 137-158. ISBN 9780198873457 (doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198873457.013.10)

Abstract

In recent years the field of International Relations (IR) has been enriched by an ‘historical turn’ as scholars have directed their attention to the origins of the discipline. During the same period a number of scholars of International History (IH) have borrowed concepts from IR theory in order to provide new perspectives on subjects such as great power relations in the era of the French Revolution or the origins of the Second World War. These trends have led to the suggestion that we are witnessing a new and exciting convergence of research in these two fields. The chapter shows that the early relationship between the emerging fields of IH and IR was characterized by remarkable convergence. After 1945, however, the two fields diverged as IR evolved into a distinct and self-confident discipline and IH focused increasingly on the origins of world wars. Many of the reasons for this divergence can be understood in terms of this Handbook’s two framing themes: modernity and granularity. Enduring challenges remain to systematic inter-disciplinary collaboration.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Jackson, Professor Peter
• Authors: Jackson, P., and Imlay, T.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISBN: 9780198873457
• Published Online: 16 August 2023