Critical Theory and Welsh
School of Security Studies
Nikita Minin
KMVES FSS MUNI
Traditional vs. Critical Theory
Traditional Theory
Explain and control
certain phenomena
Value-neutral
Critical Theory
Explain certain
phenomena from
systemic perspective
State a clear social
goal
Propose a practical
solution
Max
Horkheimer
1937
In IR: Problem-Solving vs. Critical Theories
(Robert Cox, 1981)
Critical Theory: Assumptions
Social actors are rational and capable to transform
their environment
The social world primarily consists of socioeconomic
structures, which are legitimized by dominant ideology
These structures are objective (researcher-independent)
Key questions What are these structures? How can these
be removed?
Galtung’s Triangle of Violence
Critical Security Studies (CSS)
Welsh School
Broadening
Inclusion of non-military issues
Deepening
Both philosophical and political
assumptions à Instrumental use of
security (no substantive definition)
Extending
Inclusion of non-state actors
(especially human beings)
Focusing
A clear normative objective (which
one?)
4 dimensions of CSS
(Jones, 1990)
Established at the University of Aberystwyth
K. Booth
R. Jones
A. Linklater
Dimensions of CSS
Broadening
“Military questions will obviously
continue to have an important part
in the concerns of all students of
international politics. However, it
is doubtful whether they will be as
central a preoccupation, except
for some obvious regional
conflicts. This is because the
institution of inter-state war is in
historic decline” (Booth, 1991:316).
Extending
“Those entities called ‘states’ are
obviously important features of
world politics, but they are
unreliable, illogical and too diverse
in their character to use as the
primary referent objects for a
comprehensive theory of security”
(Booth, 1991: 320).
Methodological Individualism
Interregnum: “The old is dying, and the new cannot be born” (Gramsci)
What is security?
What is emancipation?
How would you relate those?
What structural constraints can you think
of?
Security vs. Emancipation
Security (Booth 1991: 319):
“the absence of threats”
Emancipation (Booth 1991: 319): “the
freeing of people from those physical
and human constraints which stop
them carrying out what they would
freely choose to do.”
It calls for action => transformational potential
The “real security” is provided by emancipation: holistic and non-statist approach
Focusing: Security as Emancipation
“We can begin or continue pursuing emancipation in what we
research, in how we teach, in what we put on conference
agendas, in how much we support Greenpeace, Amnesty
International, Oxfam and other groups … and in how we deal
with each other and with students.
in pursuing emancipation, the bases of real security are
being established.” (Booth 1991: 326)
Emancipatory Realism
Critical Theory
• General formula (Spegele 2002): I study international relations to
emancipate [X] from structure or condition [Y] in order to achieve [Z]
• E.g.: I study IR to emancipate workers in sweatshops [X] from
exploitative work conditions [Y] in order to achieve more just society [Z]
Let’s watch something =)
Deadly fashion
Niger delta