Theory-synergetic approach in IR: case-study of BTC and SGC pipelines

Gassanly, Murad 2018. Theory-synergetic approach in IR: case-study of BTC and SGC pipelines. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This thesis is a proposal for a theory-synergetic approach to multi-theoretical pluralism in International Relations. It represents an application of IR paradigmatic matrix upon the substantive problem-field of international oil politics – an empirical case-study used here to demonstrate how theory-synergetic analysis might be applied to attain a deeper, more holistic understanding of the given puzzle than would be possible within a single-paradigm research mode. Theory-synergetic approach is grounded in IR disciplinary discourse and is called to respond to the challenges of the latest Great Debate – a maelstrom of competing epistemological, ontological and normative contestations, with profound foundational implications for the future of IR as social scientific project. However, it is argued here that theoretical diversity has knowledge-producing and maximising potential and pluralism does not impede academic progress. Focus on empirical convergences between theoretical accounts normally posited separately provides the broad analytical framework for activating theoretical synergy. By bringing these insights to bear upon questions and issues in international oil politics it is shown that synergetic analysis allows for more complex, multidimensional and multi-layered understanding of the problem-field than single-paradigm research. It is shown that applying different theoretical models upon the same substantive problem-field reveals different realities of that same problem field; yet the resultant synergetic whole is greater than the sum of its constituent paradigmatic parts.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Submission
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Department of Politics and International Relations (POLIR)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	synergy, oil, gas, pipelines, theory-synergetic, BTC, SGC
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	24 April 2018
Date of Acceptance:	24 April 2018
Last Modified:	13 Apr 2021 13:38
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/110891

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