Dangerous relations? Lessons from the interface of postcolonial studies and international relations

This chapter explores the relationship between postcolonialism and disciplinary international relations in order to highlight several issues likely to emerge as postcolonial studies engages with other social science disciplines. It suggests three key areas of concern: the need to avoid postcolonialism’s incorporation into other disciplines; the importance of remaining committed to exploring issues of politics, economics and materiality; and the necessity of defending postcolonial studies’ unique methodological and normative approaches in collaborative work. It concludes by asserting that the challenge of working interdisciplinarily has the potential to reinvigorate postcolonial studies itself