A Global South Perspective on International Relations Theory

Abstract

The International Studies Association (ISA) hosts a growing group of scholars working on the intersection of international relations (IR) and Global South perspectives. ISA’s Global South Caucus dedicates itself to dialogue with IR’s mainstream, complementing efforts of scholars who have for decades been pushing theoretical boundaries. The caucus approaches Global South IR scholarship not in geographic or ethnic terms, but as rooted in alternate histories and empirical realities. From a Global South perspective, IR’s mainstream remains characterized by a dominant mindset that is resistant to potentially dislocating self-reflection. While potential issues for self-reflection abound, three are noteworthy