Recent Theoretical Developments in IR: Implications for Indigenous Theorizing

International Relations has been seen as an “American” or “Western” discipline for a long time. In some countries such as Iran there have been calls for developing “indigenous” versions of IR theory. Yet this has not been accompanied by serious efforts for introducing new frameworks to the international community of IR scholars. During the last few years, non-Western perspectives on international relations have become more attractive and now there seems to be more chance for non-Western IR scholars to have their voice heard in the field. This article argues that this new opening can be partly explained by recent theoretical developments in the field. Cultural theory, pragmatism, postcolonialism, and quantum perspective can in particular contribute to a more favorable context for different indigenous theorizing in International Relations.