A Critical Analysis of Power, Norms, and Anarchy in International Relations Theory: Re-examined Through a Multidimensional Framework and Postcolonial Perspective

Abstract

Core concepts in International Relations (IR) theory, such as power, norms, and anarchy, have long been focal points of academic debate, particularly within traditional realist and liberal frameworks. This study provides a critical analysis of these three core concepts. Regarding the multidimensional reconceptualization of power and its analytical framework in IR, Barnett and Duvall broke through traditional scholarly definitions, moving beyond realist theory to construct a multidimensional analytical framework based on "the types of social relations and the specificity of their effects." They categorized power into four types: compulsory, institutional, structural, and productive. Concerning the challenge and reshaping of international norms by postcolonial agency, Jabri critiqued the Eurocentric bias inherent in traditional IR theory (especially constructivism), emphasizing that postcolonial states are not passive recipients but actively participate in and redefine the construction of the international order through their political practices. This reflects the postcolonial theoretical choice for revising international rules. Finally, regarding the mechanisms and strategies for achieving international cooperation under anarchy, Axelrod and Keohane, while acknowledging the anarchic nature of the international system, emphasized that cooperation is not automatic but relies on a set of international institutions and rules. They identified mutual interests, the shadow of the future, and the number of actors as key factors enabling cooperation, noting that international institutions help ensure transparency and constrain state behavior. Collectively, these studies have contributed to a "moderate" turn in IR theory.