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PSIR · PALGRAVE STUDIES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS The Poverty of Critical Theory in International Relations Davide Schmid Palgrave Studies in International Relations Series Editors Knud Erik Jørgensen, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark J. Marshall Beier, Political Science, McMaster University, Milton, ON, Canada Palgrave Studies in International Relations provides scholars with the best theoretically-informed scholarship on the global issues of our time. The series includes cutting-edge monographs and edited collections which bridge schools of thought and cross the boundaries of conventional fields of study. Knud Erik Jørgensen is Professor of International Relations at Aarhus University, Denmark, and at Yas¸ar University, Izmir, Turkey. Davide Schmid The Poverty of Critical Theory in International Relations Davide Schmid Manchester, UK Palgrave Studies in International Relations ISBN 978-3-031-22586-4 ISBN 978-3-031-22587-1 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22587-1 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover credit: Getty Images/Boris Zhitkov This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland To my nonno, Norbert Acknowledgements This book represents the culmination of almost ten years of work, begin- ning with my doctoral research at the University of Sheffield. During that time, I have benefited from the friendship and support of a great many people. As this chapter of my life comes to a close, I wish to thank all those who have inspired, encouraged and accompanied me. I owe a debt of gratitude to my supervisor at the University of Sheffield, Jonathan Joseph, for his guidance and mentorship during my PhD and after. It was a great privileged to be supervised by him and I have benefited greatly from his council and insight. I would also like to thank my second supervisor, John Hobson, for his help in the latter stages of the project. Milja Kurki and Helen Turton examined the original PhD thesis and provided thoughtful feedback which informed the writing of this book. I thank them both for their intellectual engagement and professional support. The Department of Politics at the University of Sheffield has been a fantastic place to study and develop both intellectually and profes- sionally. Among the brilliant academic staff, I would like to extend my thanks to Cemal Burak Tansel, Anastasia Shesterinina, Owen Parker, Peter Verovšek, Liam Stanley and Ross Bellaby. I have also had the fortune of finding a vibrant and supportive PhD community at Sheffield. Many of them have become lifelong friends. Sam Jarvis, Laure Joanny, Xavier Mathieu, Irene Vanini, Dan Bailey and vii viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Barbara Yoxon all deserve a special mention in this regard. The neo- Gramscian reading group provided a joyful and collaborative space for countless arguments, debates and pints. A thank you to the people who made these moments so memorable: Vanessa Bilancetti, James Cham- berlain, Rasmus Hansen, Scott Lavery, Sam Morecroft, Robbie Pye and Jonny Webb. Since leaving Sheffield, I have also benefited from the support and advice of countless colleagues at the universities of Groningen and Manchester Metropolitan. At Groningen, I would like to thank Adhemar Mercado Auf der Maur, Andreas Aagaard Nøhr, Xavier Guillaume, Benjamin Herborth, Luis Lobo-Guerrero and Julia Costa López for making my brief stay in The Netherlands a very special time. At Manch- ester Met, I want to extend my thanks to Eleanor Bindman, Kathryn Starnes, Olga Khrushcheva, Jonny Rodwell, Steve Hurst, Donna Lee, Sean McDaniel and the co-convenors of the Critical Theory in Hard Times network, Sadiya Akram, Rob Jackson and Paul Giladi. The most important thank you goes to my wife Gemma Bird for her unwavering love, encouragement and support. Words cannot express the magnitude of my appreciation for her patience and companionship. My gratitude also goes out to my parents, Anna and Thomas, my parents-in- law, Lesley and Richard, my grandmother Lisbeth and my grandfather Norbert, who passed away during the final stages of this project. I dedicate the book to him. Contents 1 Introduction 1 2 The Crisis of Critique 15 3 Two Histories of the Frankfurt School 45 4 The Habermasian Paradigm 75 5 Habermas and Cosmopolitan Democracy 101 6 Linklater and Critical International Relations Theory 127 7 The Way Ahead 155 8 Conclusion 197 Index 203 ix About the Author Davide Schmid is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Rela- tions at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. His work sits at the intersection of Critical Theory and International Political Economy, focusing on Frankfurt School thought and the critique of contemporary global capitalism. He has published in the European Journal of Interna- tional Relations, Geopolitics as well as other prominent journals in the field. xi