Norms between Facticity and Validity : On the use of the Theory of Communicative Action in Constructivist IR
Journal
IReflect : Student Journal of International Relations
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2014-07-22
Author(s)
Abstract
Echoing the critique formulated by Tine Hanrieder, this paper revisits the way the Theory of Communicative Action (TCA) has been applied in the field of International Relations. Despite their heavy reliance upon Habermasian concepts, empirical studies based on the TCA have reified the ‘better argument', thereby transforming the theory's procedural yardstick for truth into a simple compliance-mechanism. Analytically, this leads to a structural bias in the conception of norms as social facts whose validity remains unaffected by human interaction. Normatively, the critical potential of the TCA is lost, because scholars are unable to assess the legitimacy of the reified discursive outcomes. In order to address both shortcomings, I will point to the dual quality of norms as it has been especially highlighted by Antje Wiener. In the conclusion, however, it will be argued that while Wiener is able to solve the analytical dilemma via the concept of ‘contestedness', there still remains a normative challenge.
http://ireflect-journal.de/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Graef_Norms-between-Facticity-and-Validity_IRefelct_2014-1-1.pdf
http://ireflect-journal.de/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Graef_Norms-between-Facticity-and-Validity_IRefelct_2014-1-1.pdf
Language
English
Keywords
theory of communicative action
norms
constructivism
contestedness
normativity
HSG Classification
not classified
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
IB an der Spree e.V.
Publisher place
Berlin
Volume
1
Number
1
Start page
85
End page
100
Pages
16
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
241090