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The malpractice of “rationality†in international relations

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  • Uriel Abulof

    (Princeton University, USA; Tel-Aviv University, Israel)

Abstract

This article investigates the misuse of “rationality†in academic and political discourses, focusing on the Iranian nuclear project. The concept of rationality is ubiquitous; scholars, pundits, and practitioners turn to it, sometimes unwittingly, to describe, explain, and predict. When concerning concrete security and foreign policies, however, this praxis borders on malpractice: rationality-based descriptions are largely either false or unfalsifiable; many observers fail to explicate the meaning of “rationality†they employ; and the concept is frequently used politically to distinguish between “us and them.†Empirically, I show that rationality has played an opaque and excessive role in the Western accounts of Iranian nuclear policy. Both “optimists†and “pessimists†have frequently, but faultily, turned to rationality/irrationality to explain Iran’s moderate/belligerent nuclear policy and its susceptibility/resistance to nuclear deterrence. The malpractice of “rationality†in discussing such matters has become a bad habit, which is best uprooted.

Suggested Citation

  • Uriel Abulof, 2015. "The malpractice of “rationality†in international relations," Rationality and Society, , vol. 27(3), pages 358-384, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:27:y:2015:i:3:p:358-384
    DOI: 10.1177/1043463115593144
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    References listed on IDEAS

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