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The A gency of the M uslim IR Researcher in Developing a Theory of I slamic Agency in I nternational R elations
Author(s) -
Alruwaih Meshari
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
asian politics and policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.193
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 1943-0787
pISSN - 1943-0779
DOI - 10.1111/aspp.12169
Subject(s) - islam , agency (philosophy) , foundation (evidence) , epistemology , sociology , power (physics) , islamic studies , political science , principal–agent problem , social science , law , management , philosophy , theology , economics , corporate governance , physics , quantum mechanics
The article proposes a framework for generating I slamic‐based knowledge on International Relations ( IR ) that takes advantage of the explanatory power of western IR theory without adherence to its philosophical foundation. To this end, the article proposes that Islamic engagement with western IR theory should commence at the foundational level. It articulates Islam as a foundational commitment held by M uslim IR researchers different from foundational commitments in the discipline. More pointedly, it focuses on agency, specifically, I slamic agency in IR as a theoretical effort that demonstrates that Islamic foundational commitments are necessary for I slamic‐based knowledge production. The article concludes not by calling on Muslim IR researchers to “abandon” the study of Western‐oriented IR, but by calling on them to first bring on board their Islamic knowledge and worldview, and only then to assess Western conceptualizations of the social arrangements of IR accordingly.