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What's at stake in the agent-structure debate?

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  • Dessler, David

Abstract

Recent developments in the philosophy of science, particularly those falling under the rubric of “scientific realism,” have earned growing recognition among theorists of international relations but have failed to generate substantive programs of research. Consequently, the empirical relevance of much philosophical discourse, such as that centering on the agent-structure problem in social theory, remains unestablished. This article attempts to bridge the gap between the philosophy and practice of science by outlining a model of international structure based on the principles of scientific realism and by considering its implications for a structural research program in international relations theory. Appealing to Imre Lakatos's methodology of theorychoice, the article presents an ontological case for adopting a “transformational” model of structure over the “positional” model developed in the work of Kenneth Waltz. The article demonstrates that the positional approach offers no conceptual or explanatory hold on those features of the international structure that are the intended products of state action. In conclusion, the article argues that the stakes in the agent-structure debate include the capacity to generate integrative structural theory and the ability to theorize the possibilities for peaceful change in the international system.

Suggested Citation

  • Dessler, David, 1989. "What's at stake in the agent-structure debate?," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 43(3), pages 441-473, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:intorg:v:43:y:1989:i:03:p:441-473_03
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    Cited by:

    1. Tanja E. Aalberts, 2005. "Sovereignty Reloaded? A Constructivist Perspective on European Research," The Constitutionalism Web-Papers p0010, University of Hamburg, Faculty for Economics and Social Sciences, Department of Social Sciences, Institute of Political Science.
    2. Nabers, Dirk, 2007. "Crises, Hegemony and Change in the International System: A Conceptual Framework," GIGA Working Papers 50, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies.
    3. Colin Wight, 2003. "The Agent–Structure Problem and Institutional Racism," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 51(4), pages 706-721, December.
    4. Esther Nanfuka & Florence Turyomurugyendo & Eric Ochen & Graham Gibbs, 2020. "Leaving a Violent Child Marriage: Experiences of Adult Survivors in Uganda," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-18, September.
    5. Heike Schroeder, 2010. "Agency in international climate negotiations: the case of indigenous peoples and avoided deforestation," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 10(4), pages 317-332, December.
    6. Brown Dana L & Vetterlein Antje & Roemer-Mahler Anne, 2010. "Theorizing Transnational Corporations as Social Actors: An Analysis of Corporate Motivations," Business and Politics, De Gruyter, vol. 12(1), pages 1-39, April.
    7. Oran Young, 2001. "The Behavioral Effects of Environmental Regimes: Collective-Action vs. Social-Practice Models," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 9-29, January.
    8. Roxana Bobulescu, 2011. "Critical Realism versus Social Constructivism in International Relations," The Journal of Philosophical Economics, Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, The Journal of Philosophical Economics, vol. 4(2), pages 37-64, May.
    9. Benjamin Zyla, 2018. "Beyond the 2% fetishism: studying the practice of collective action in transatlantic affairs," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 4(1), pages 1-11, December.
    10. Kevin Deegan-Krause & Zsolt Enyedi, 2010. "Agency and the Structure of Party Competition: Alignment, Stability and the Role of Political Elites," EUI-RSCAS Working Papers 9, European University Institute (EUI), Robert Schuman Centre of Advanced Studies (RSCAS).

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