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Memories...

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

ON POST-MODERNISM

Another fruitful seminar class for Study of War todae. The main topic up for discussion was Critical Security Studies, very much an offspring of the International Relations school of Post-modernist thought.

I must admit, when I was in year2 sem1 and doing the basic Intro to IR module, I couldnt understand and couldnt care much about the school of post-modernism. (Constructivism as well) After all, it seems rather straightforward and simple to just stick to the 3 predominant schools of thought in realism, liberalism and marxism. (subsuming neo-realism, mercantilism, neo-liberalism, & dependency theory)

But after some time, I guess u really start to appreciate the value of these approaches, at least for me. As social scientists, we realize that the "truth", if there ever lies one, often lies in the so-called Grey-Area-Phenomenon. And theories like Post-modernism and constructivism facilitates so much in closing the intellectual gap among the previously 3 mentioned schools.

Post-modernism and Critical Security studies challenge the basis and assumptions of realism. By adopting the argument that security is always a subjective field, beholden to some subjective interest, this field opens up to even sociological and anthropological penetrations. It aspires towards critique and the addressing of complexity, rejecting the dichotomy between "subjective" and "objective" views.

In so, it raises the imperative point that no theory is neutral, and that knowledge is always made by someone for someone.

Fascinating isn't it? =) How it liberates the intellectual mind and state-centric views of International Relations.

Really intellectually stimulating. I have thoroughly enjoyed my Honours seminar classes. You really learn 10 times more stuff than the collective sum of year1 to year 3 knowledge. And I appreciate that everyone in the class takes turns to present and lead discussions during seminar classes. Just makes every session more refreshing, something solely lacking from yr1 to yr3 lectures.

Plus the fact that u learn so much from other classmates. And its so much more interactive and 2-way process in the sense that if u disagree with even yr Prof, u can stand up and question/ challenge his views freely. So much more fun and exciting than just goin to lecture every week from yr1 to yr3 and hearing the lecturer stuff his/ her views down your throat without being able to counter or challenge back.

The Incredible Hock