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Theory, history, and the global transformation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2016

Barry Buzan  and
George Lawson
Barry Buzan
Affiliation:
London School of Economics, London, UK
George Lawson*
Affiliation:
London School of Economics, London, UK
*
E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

This response concentrates on two sets of issues raised by the contributors to the symposium: the first centers around theory, the second around history. On the former, our argument is that, contrary to some of the comments made by our interlocutors, the book contributes to theoretical debates ranging from issues of causation to those concerning history as a theoretical enterprise. We use these arguments to engage with, and extend, historical questions raised about the book, paying particular attention to the issue of comparisons across time. Our overarching reaction to the symposium is positive – the book has generated an exciting range of responses. This makes us hopeful that The Global Transformation will stimulate both intra- and inter-disciplinary conversations, even if these conversations sometimes emerge from frustration with paths not taken and issues not addressed.

Type
Symposium: Theory, History, and the Global Transformation
Information
International Theory , Volume 8 , Issue 3 , November 2016 , pp. 502 - 522
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2016 

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