Conclusions

Abstract

The authors conclude by inviting readers to reappraise not only the IR discipline, but distinct European IR theoretical traditions. They situate the book in the “traditions tradition”, believing that the benefits of exploring traditions far outweigh the analytical costs. Moreover, the authors conclude that the International Relations discipline in Europe will benefit from a reconstruction of theoretical traditions whereby the discipline will strengthen one of its backbones. The authors recognize IR as a discipline situated in the borderland between the social and the human sciences. Finally, the authors regard “International Relations” as a highly successful brand and as a convenient shorthand for a multitude of subject matters, foci, theories and methodologies, features that are strikingly similar to other disciplines.