Afrikan contribution to international relations theory: an Afrocentric philosophical enquiry
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Date
2012
Authors
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
The academic field of IR has been haunted by its Westerncentric philosophical founding masters.
This has consequently led almost the overall (if not the entire) literature, of this particular
academic discipline, to have become a typical platform wherein the Eurocentric driven masternarratives
have become consolidated, as the norm. The interrogation of pedagogy thus led to
concerns of indoctrination, as a direct result of the dogmatic views (as specifically derived and
driven by the literature of Western philosophy), which overtime has informed the bulk of IR
(theory) literature. Themes of racism, dynamics introduced by the role of language, sexism,
(Feminism, gender, patriarchy) even the age factor of authoritative IR theorists, amongst other
factors, are thus brought afore and engaged in detail, hopefully not in an overly complex manner.
Within this study, concepts such as Worldview are interrogated and stripped of their implied
scholarly innocence. When studied closer, expressions (which have led to the formation of
Mainstream IR theories), as located within the bulk of IR literature, reveal that what is presented
as nuanced and structured thought, may specifically be traced back, and realized as mere
rhetorical echoes of pioneering Western philosophers. From such an Eurocentric/Westerncentric
foundation, as specifically located in the suspected scholarly body of Western Philosophy, this
exploratory study, has thus inevitably placed an enormous question mark, on what may possibly
be / have been the contribution of the other (non-Eurocentric / non-Westerncentric) IR theories.
Particular investigative focus would hopefully, be placed upon securing a possible existence of
an Afrikan philosophical Worldview, as may possibly be / have been informed by the doctrine of
Afrocentricity. It should thus be understood that this particular study, is mainly interested, in
what may currently be or have been Afrikan contribution to IR theory. The specific employment
of Afrocentricity should hopefully be read, as an effort by the author of this study, to secure the
sought Afrikan contribution to IR, from a local/from below (Afrikan) narrative perspective. Such
an effort, may hopefully within this study, be linked to the chief aim(s) of Afrikan philosophy.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of Zululand (South Africa), in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Arts in Systematic Philosophy in the Department of Philosophy, 2012.
Keywords
International relations theory