Theory as a Factor and the Theorist as an Actor: The "Pragmatist Constructivist" Lessons of John Dewey and John Kenneth Galbraith1

Abstract

In IR theory debates, there exists a recurring tendency to draw a distinction between problem‐solving and critical theory. Whereas problem‐solving theory ostensibly pertains to the short term, critical theory purportedly examines the evolution of more enduring social structures over the long term. In this essay, the argument is made that this distinction obscures the ongoing role—equally in the long and the short runs—of theory in the reconstitution of social structures. To highlight such possibilities, the essay calls for a “pragmatist constructivism,” which applies a critical approach to the analysis of not only long‐term policy possibilities but also to ongoing policy matters. After reviewing the arguments of two essentially pragmatist‐constructivist scholars—John Dewey and John Kenneth Galbraith—each of whom recognized the social bases of political life and designed their research with an eye to highlighting unappreciated policy possibilities, the piece concludes by stressing both the disciplinary constraints on IR theorists and the opportunity that the constructivist turn in IR theory offers for a more sustained engagement with public debates.

The conduct of history in International Relations: rethinking philosophy of history in IR theory

“…Such explicit self-awareness will make contention between schools over the nature and knowability of history more useful and equitable. For example, visions of the arc of history 59 As Widmaier (2004) notes, theories (including theories of history) imply political projects, a prospect of which these pluralist theorists are well aware.…”

The Institutionalist Roots of Macroprudential Ideas: Veblen and Galbraith on Regulation, Policy Success and Overconfidence

“…In the process, we demonstrate two parallel tendencies, as Veblen and Galbraith each: 1) initially accorded with the essentially macroprudential Progressive and Keynesian debates of their days; but subsequently, 2) evinced increasing intellectual tendencies toward teleological, ahistorical models -seen in Veblen's overconfidence in regulatory 'engineers' and Galbraith's stress on the rise of a 'New Class' and managerial 'technostructure'. In broader terms, this analysis may be seen as according with a Deweyan pragmatism, one which recognizes the dynamic nature of expectations and the inevitable limits to any technocratic framework (Widmaier 2004). Given these parallel trends, we suggest in the conclusion that the challenge for IPE theory is to better understand the limits to intellectual rationality, and that the challenge for macroprudential regulation is to…”

“…In such analyses, much of the Affluent Society contained an essentially pragmatic approach to economic policymaking -one which recognized the variable nature of everyday expectations and the need for policymakers to maintain a degree of connection with the wider public (Widmaier 2004). However, in some tension with his open-ended pragmatism, Galbraith then moved to advance a more teleological argument positing the expansion of a sense of the public interest.…”

Open Horizons: The Temporal Visions of Reflexive Realism

“…We refer to this as an ongoing process not only out of theoretical deference to the scholar, but also because Kratochwil was previously associated more with the critical vein of constructivism. We should also note thatKratochwil (2007a:35) is not necessarily sympathetic to classical or neorealism, and so any ligatures that we draw here are strictly analytical.44 Dewey has been considered a ''proto-constructivist'' due to his ''pragmatist'' sensibilities (seeWidmaier 2004),Niebuhr was of course one of Dewey's fiercest critics.…”

“…44 44 Dewey has been considered a “proto‐constructivist” due to his “pragmatist” sensibilities (see Widmaier 2004), Niebuhr was of course one of Dewey’s fiercest critics. …”