Name: Charu Gautam

Roll no: 2022/03/004

A Critical Review of the article Recrafting International Relations through

Relationality

This essay serves as a critical review of the essay Recrafting International Relations through
Relationality by Tamara Trownsell, Amaya Querejazu Escobari, Giorgio Shani, Navnita
Chadha Behera, Jarrad Reddekop And Arlene Tickner. International Relations (IR) has been
dominated by western-centric perspectives that fail to capture the intricacies of global
politics. In their article, Tamara Trownsell et al. challenge these dominant perspectives and
propose a relational approach to IR that engages with diverse ontologies and ways of being.
This approach can help provide a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of international
relations, one that recognizes the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of
context in shaping global dynamics. It is important to note that The term ontology with
reference to the article has been described as “basic assumptions about the nature of
existence that are operative within any given tradition of living and thinking”

At the core of the relational approach is a profound challenge to the atomistic assumptions
that underpin much of conventional IR theory. In the context of the article, atomistic refers to
the dominant ontological assumptions in conventional IR theory that treat states and other
actors as independent, self-contained units, failing to capture the inherent interconnectedness
and fluidity of global politics. The relational approach challenges this atomistic view by
emphasising the constitutive role of relationships.This approach strives to transcend the rigid,
state-centric frameworks that have long dominated the field by highlighting the inherent
interconnectedness and fluidity of all beings and categories. It underscores the intricate web
of relationships and interactions that shape global politics, constantly evolving and
transforming in the context of history and identity.

One of the relational approach's key strengths is its ability to bridge the gap between abstract
theories and the lived realities of people worldwide. By taking seriously the diverse
ontologies and ways of being that characterise different communities and cultures, this
approach can provide a more grounded and contextual understanding of international
relations. It challenges IR scholars to question taken-for-granted categories and assumptions
and to explore how these are constituted through ongoing processes of relation and
negotiation. However, as Trownsell et al. rightly acknowledge, implementing the relational
approach will likely encounter significant challenges. The most formidable of these is the
deeply entrenched nature of existing academic and political structures, largely built upon
western-centric assumptions and values. Challenging these structures and introducing
alternative ontologies and ways of knowing will likely face resistance from those who benefit
from the status quo and may perceive the relational approach as threatening their power and
privilege.
Moreover, the relational approach requires IR scholars to develop new skills and
competencies, particularly in what they term ontological translation. This involves learning to
navigate between different worlds and ways of being and to engage with diverse
philosophical and cultural traditions on their terms. It is a process of understanding and
respecting the diverse ontologies and ways of being that characterise different communities
and cultures and translating these understandings into a common language that can be shared
and understood by all. As the authors note, this can be a complex and time-consuming
process that demands a deep commitment to dialogue, empathy, and mutual understanding.
Despite these challenges, adopting a relational approach in IR is desirable and essential if we
effectively address the complex challenges facing our world today.

This approach can shed light on the deeper dynamics and power structures that shape global
politics by recognizing the agency and significance of non-state actors, such as indigenous
communities, social movements, and marginalised groups. It challenges the notion that states
are the only or primary actors in international affairs and instead highlights how diverse
actors and communities are constantly negotiating and contesting the terms of their existence.
For example, the relational approach can offer valuable insights into the ongoing struggles of
indigenous peoples worldwide, many of whom have been systematically excluded and
marginalised by the state-centric frameworks of conventional IR. Acknowledging the
ontological and cosmological dimensions of these struggles, such as the sacred nature of the
land and the importance of spiritual practices, a relational perspective can help reframe these
conflicts as fundamental questions of existence and identity rather than merely political or
economic disputes. This, in turn, can lead to the development of more just and effective
solutions that respect the rights and worldviews of indigenous communities and that
challenge the ongoing legacies of colonialism and dispossession.

Also, the relational approach can provide a more comprehensive and empathetic
understanding of the complex web of relationships and experiences that underlie many global
conflicts, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or the ongoing tensions between the United
States and Iran. By recognizing the deep historical, cultural, and emotional contexts that
shape these conflicts and how they are rooted in broader structures of power and inequality, a
relational perspective can help move beyond simplistic binary oppositions and promote more
nuanced and inclusive forms of dialogue and understanding.

The relational approach has the potential to revolutionise our understanding and practice of
international relations. By challenging the dominant viewpoints and creating space for
alternative perspectives and ways of being, this approach can empower us to foster more
inclusive and democratic forms of global cooperation and decision-making. It can also
contribute to developing more effective and equitable solutions to pressing global challenges,
such as climate change, poverty, and inequality, by emphasising the importance of local
knowledge, community-based initiatives, and the participation of marginalised groups.
Perhaps most importantly, it could contribute to the development of more inclusive and
democratic forms of international cooperation and decision-making, ones that recognize the
diversity of voices and perspectives that shape our world.
This is particularly important in addressing global challenges such as climate change, where
the participation and knowledge of local communities and marginalised groups are often
crucial to developing effective and sustainable solutions. By emphasising the importance of
local knowledge and community-based initiatives, a relational approach could help ensure
that the voices and needs of those most affected by these challenges are heard and considered.
A relational approach could help to prevent and resolve conflicts by promoting dialogue,
empathy, and understanding across different cultures and worldviews. By recognizing the
complex histories and experiences that underlie many global tensions and seeking to engage
with these in a spirit of mutual respect and learning, a relational perspective could contribute
to more peaceful and cooperative forms of international relations.

However, the relational approach has its limitations and challenges. Its emphasis on
complexity and context can sometimes make it difficult to generate clear and testable
hypotheses, and its focus on non-state actors and cultural factors can sometimes lead to a
neglect of the material and structural forces that shape international relations. Moreover, the
lack of a clear normative framework or set of policy prescriptions in the essay can make it
difficult to translate the insights of the relational approach into concrete action; however one
must note that it does start a chain reaction for relevant discussions on the subject matter to
come up with solutions.

Despite these limitations, the relational approach has the potential to innovate and transform
the field of IR greatly. By opening up new arenas for research and analysis and challenging
the dominant paradigms and assumptions that have long shaped the field, this approach can
contribute to developing new theoretical frameworks and methodologies that are more
suitable to the challenges of modern age. For example, the relational approach could help
bridge the gap between theory and practice in IR by providing a more grounded and
contextual understanding of how international relations work in different parts of the world.
This could inform the development of more effective and culturally sensitive policies and
interventions that consider the unique histories, identities, and experiences of different
communities and regions. Secondly, it can also contribute to developing new forms of global
governance and cooperation, which are more inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the
needs and aspirations of diverse actors and communities. By challenging the hegemony of
Western knowledge and power and opening up space for alternative ways of knowing and
being, this approach can help promote a more equitable and democratic vision of
international relations.

Conclusively, as we navigate the complexities and uncertainties of the 21st century,

embracing a relational approach in IR scholarship and practice can help us to build a more
peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive future for all. It is an approach that recognizes the
fundamental interdependence and diversity of all beings and seeks to promote dialogue,
understanding, and cooperation across different cultures and worldviews. In doing so, it
offers a powerful vision of what international relations can and should be and a roadmap for
how to work together to build a better world for all.