German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

Sinan Chu

Fantastic Theories and Where to Find Them: Rethinking Interlocutors in Global IR

Millennium: Journal of International Studies | 2023

Abstract

How can we appreciate non-Western agency in theorising world politics without reintroducing parochialism and exceptionalism, thus reproducing the very problem that motivated global international relations (IR) in the first place? In this article, I explore an alternative approach to engaging with non-Western IR theories, which I refer to as the embedded observer approach. First, taking the scholarship on Chinese IR as an example, I argue that the present predicament of global IR is in part attributable to the way scholars engage with non-Western political thought. Drawing from discussions in critical IR and Comparative Political Theory, I propose a methodological adjustment for the study of non-Western theories. Specifically, I argue that by shifting focus from isolated scholars and texts to critical dialogues among autochthonous intellectuals, the researcher has the chance to learn about and appreciate the clashes of ideas, analytical perspectives, and methodological tools that together constitute the living intellectual tradition in a non-Western society. As a demonstration, I analyse the People’s Republic of China (PRC) scholars’ critical reaction to Zhao Tingyang’s Tianxia System through the lens of three key topics in the debate over the thesis. The discussion highlights the need to rethink interlocutors in global IR and the utility of an embedded observer approach for engaging with knowledge traditions beyond the West, both in IR and beyond.

Journal

Millennium: Journal of International Studies

Volume

Number

Pages

700-729

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1177/03058298221110923

Link

https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-87338-6

Dr. Sinan Chu

Research Fellow

T. +49 40 428874-29 [email protected]

Conference | 27/08/2024 - 31/08/2024

Interlocution: A Nondual Methodology to Disrupt the Non-Western National Self

17th EISA Pan-European Conference on International Relations, Lille Catholic University - Université Catholique de Lille , Lille Organisers: European International Studies Association Dr. Sinan Chu (Speaker)

Paper presentation at the panel "Global IR Research Methodology: Consolidating Nondualism"

Dr. Sinan Chu

Research Fellow

Conference | 03/04/2024 - 06/04/2024

Where Is the Non-West? Four Intellectual Positions Toward the Study of Non-Western IR

ISA Annual Conference 2024, Hilton Hotel, San Francisco Organisers: International Studies Association Dr. Sinan Chu (Speaker)

Dr. Sinan Chu

Research Fellow

Workshop | 18/05/2023

Beyond West vs. Non-West: A Critique of Global IR Perspective on Good International Citizenship

Good International Citizenship: A Global IR Perspective, Marmara University, Istanbul Dr. Sinan Chu (Speaker)

Dr. Sinan Chu

Research Fellow

Conference | 02/06/2022 - 04/06/2022

Rethinking Non-Western Interlocutors of Worldmaking: A Critique of Dialogues with Chinese IR

Annual Conference: "Global Conflicts, Global Collaboration: China in a Changing World Order", Historische Sternwarte, Göttingen Organisers: Joint Center for Advanced Studies “Worldmaking from a Global Perspective: A Dialogue with China” Dr. Sinan Chu (Speaker)

Dr. Sinan Chu

Research Fellow

Chapter in Edited Volume | 05/2024

Nichtwestliche Perspektiven in den Internationalen Beziehungen

Wie sollten wir durch die Beschäftigung mit Erfahrungen und Perspektiven aus dem Nichtwesten über die Mainstream- bzw. disziplinären Internationale Beziehungen hinausgehen? Der vorliegende Aufsatz untersucht die wichtigsten Forschungsprojekte der letzten beiden Jahrzehnte, die sich auf die Untersuchung „nichtwestlicher IB“ beziehen.

Dr. Sinan Chu

Research Fellow

Conference | 27/08/2024 - 31/08/2024

Interlocution: A Nondual Methodology to Disrupt the Non-Western National Self

Paper presentation at the panel "Global IR Research Methodology: Consolidating Nondualism"

Dr. Sinan Chu

Research Fellow

Conference | 02/06/2022 - 04/06/2022

Rethinking Non-Western Interlocutors of Worldmaking: A Critique of Dialogues with Chinese IR

Dr. Sinan Chu

Research Fellow

Chapter in Edited Volume | 05/2024

Nichtwestliche Perspektiven in den Internationalen Beziehungen

Dr. Sinan Chu

Research Fellow

Fantastic Theories and Where to Find Them: Rethinking Interlocutors in Global IR

Abstract

Research Project

Regional Institutes

Research Programmes

Journal

Volume

Number

Pages

DOI

Link

Dr. Sinan Chu

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