“经典路径”与国际关系理论建构——对国际关系学科史上“第二次论战”的再思考

长期以来,学界对国际关系学科史上的第二次论战存在误解,实质上这场论战围绕如何对国际关系进行理论化概括展开,经典路径和科学路径的信奉者分别构建了不同形态的国际关系理论。经典路径构建的理论是一种哲理性思想,它由一系列有关国际关系且彼此间密切联系的普遍性命题构成,其重点是展示对国际关系中心问题的哲理思考;科学路径构建的理论是一种简洁的理论模型,它由一整套彼此联系且清晰扼要的假说组成,其重点是揭示特定研究领域的组织原则和内在逻辑。两种形态的理论各有特殊价值,难以相互取代。科学路径在理论构建过程中离不开经典路径的思维工具,这有助于破除以单一的实证主义标准来衡量理论合理性的观念。

Classical Approach and Theories of International Relations:The Second Debate Reconsidered

For a long time,the Second Debate in the disciplinary history of International Relations(IR)has been misunderstood.In essence,the debate concerns how to theorize about international relations.The believers of the Classical Approach and those of the Scientific Approach construct IR theories in distinctive forms.According to the Classical Approach,theories are philosophical interpretations,consisting of a set of closely interrelated general propositions regarding international relations,and reveal philosophical thoughts on the central questions.According to the Scientific Approach,theories are parsimonious theoretical models,consisting of a series of interlinked and clear hypotheses,and reveal the organizing principles and internal logic of a bounded realm.