Critical Realism and Causal Analysis in International Relations

The criticisms laid upon critical realism for their insistence on the language of science, reality, & causality are argued to not allow for the more nuanced use of the language that allows for agreement & conversation between critical realism & existing IR theoretical positions. Drawing on the anti-positivist philosophy of science of Roy Bhaskar, "critical realism" has sought to challenge some of the core assumptions theorists hold on the nature of explanation & science in IR theoretical inquiry. Critical realist intervention in debates on causation provides a well argued philosophy of science justification for holism & pluralism. Despite the potential to reshape the way theorists think about causation, the positivist & post-positivist criticisms are answered by the critical realist understanding of partial relevance of positivist knowledge claims, & the significant convergences with post-positivism. As a meta-theoretical approach that focuses on challenging taken-for-granted assumptions about science & causality in social sciences, critical realism argues for shifting the focus in debates from epistemological & methodological ground to ontological ground for a model of science based not on methodological scripture, but a more scientific attitude of "desiring to understand.". References. J. Harwell