Schmitt, the Constructivist? Possible Contributions to IR Theory

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 312 - 322, 31.05.2023

Abdullah Enes Tüzgen

https://doi.org/10.33709/ictimaiyat.1144578

Abstract

This paper proposes re-reading famous German philosopher Carl Schmitt as a possible contributor to constructivist IR theory. It first examines Schmitt’s theories to determine if his writings enable such a reading. The paper argues that Schmitt, in fact, fulfills four criteria to be considered in the constructivist camp. The paper then turns to Wendt’s attempt to construct a systemic constructivist theory of IR. It contends that Wendt’s endeavor has certain shortcomings; and that these can be solved by Schmitt’s contribution. The distinction between “public and private enemy”; and the concept of Grossraum in Schmitt’s writings can be utilized as useful tools to solve certain theoretical problems regarding “self vs. other” distinction. In other words, Grossraum can act as a conceptual category to solve the tension between particularism of group self, and hypothetical universal state Wendt foresees. Practically that means the possibility of transcending nation-state identities without a necessity to accept that logical conclusion of such a reasoning is a universal world state.

Keywords

Carl Schmitt, Carl Schmitt, Carl Schmitt, constructivism, IR Theory, Alexander Wendt, Alexander Wendt, Alexander Wendt, Alexander Wendt, self-other distinction, self-other distinction, self-other distinction

Sosyal İnşacı Schmitt? Uluslararası İlişkiler Teorisine Muhtemel Katkılar

Abstract

Bu makale meşhur Alman filozof Carl Schmitt’in uluslararası ilişkiler teorilerine katkı sunabilecek muhtemel bir isim olarak yeni bir okumasını önermektedir. Öncelikle Schmitt’in eserlerinde böyle bir okumanın mümkün olup olmadığı irdelenmektedir. Bu çalışma Schmitt’in sosyal inşacı uluslararası ilişkiler teorisi dahilinde telakki edilebilmesini mümkün kılan dört kriteri sağladığını savunmaktadır. Makale daha sonra Alexader Wendt’in sistemik uluslararası ilişkiler teorisi inşası çabalarını mercek altına almakta ve Wendt’in teklifinin bazı açmazları olduğunu; dahası bu açmazların Schmitt’in katkıları ile çözülebileceğini savunmaktadır. Schmitt’in kuramsallaştırdığı “kamusal ve özel düşman” ayrımı; ve yine onun Grossraum kavramsallaştırması, “ben ve öteki” ayrımına dair bazı teorik problemlere katkı sunmaktadır. Başka bir deyişle, grup kimliklerinin partikülarizmi ile Wendt’in öngördüğü farazi küresel dünya devleti arasındaki gerilimde Grossraum anahtar bir kavramsal kategori olarak işleyebilir. Daha pratik olarak bu, ulus-devlet üstü kimlikleri mümkün görmenin ille de küresel bir dünya devleti sonucunu mantıksal olarak zorunlu kılmayacağı manasına gelmektedir.

Keywords

Carl Schmitt, sosyal inşacılık, Alexander Wendt, uluslararası ilişkiler teorisi, ben ve öteki ayrımı

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