Empowering Critical International Theory by Applying Action Research Methodology to its Inquiry

This paper analyzes the influence and relevance of Gramscian and Habermasian critical international theories within the context of recent developments in the world politics that do not function in favour of these discourses’ emancipatory objectives and projections. It first looks at their emergence as alternative paradigms to the traditional conceptualizations in the discipline of IR and then compares the roots of their theoretical positions and their contribution to the analysis of international politics. Its main argument is that both Gramscian and Habermasian critical international theories can be empowered by learning from each other’s strengths as well as applying a participatory action research methodology into their analyses.Publisher's Versio