IR thinker

Join us for an insightful interview with Professor Bode as we dive into the AutoNorms project, exploring the evolution of international norms surrounding autonomous weapons systems (AWS). We discuss key findings, theoretical foundations, and the role of global security in shaping AWS governance.Ingvild Bode is Professor of International Relations and Director of the Center for War Studies at the University of Southern Denmark.She is principally interested in analysing processes of policy and normative change, especially in the areas of Artificial Intelligence in the military domain, the use of force, AI governance, United Nations peacekeeping, and more general dynamics of the UN Security Council.Content: (1) The Motivation Behind the AutoNorms Project; (2) Bridging the Research Gap on Technology in International Relations; (3) Key Findings and Outcomes of AutoNorms; (4) Autonomous Weapons and the Evolution of International Norms; (5) Theoretical Foundations: War Theory in the Research; (6) Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Norm Development in Global Security; (7) Understanding Social Norms Through AutoNorms; (8) Investigating Practices That Shape AWS Norms; (9) Challenging Rationalist and Institutionalist Approaches to Security; (10) The Grand Theory Behind AutoNorms; (11) Data Collection Strategies in the Research; (12) Managing Confidentiality and Restricted Information; (13) Why China, Japan, Russia, and the U.S.? Case Selection Criteria; (14) Divergent National Perspectives on AWS and Security; (15) Engagement with Formal Diplomatic and Legal Processes; (16) Normative Fragmentation: A Challenge to the Rules-Based Order?; (17) Resistance to Emerging Norms and Key Actors; (18) The Role of Deterrence in AWS Governance; (19) Does the EU Have a Unified AWS Research Programme?; (20) Unexpected Findings in the Research Process; and (21) Underexplored Areas in AWS Norm Research.Official website:https://irthinker.com/

In this interview, Dr Christopher Lamont discusses key methodological developments in international relations research, reflecting on the evolution from the first to the second edition of his work.He explores interdisciplinarity, mixed research methods, and the role of AI, offering insights into emerging trends and challenges in contemporary political analysis.Christopher Lamont is Dean of E-Track’s International Relations program and Vice Dean of the Graduate School of International Relations at Tokyo International University in Japan.Content: (1) Key Differences Between the First and Second Edition; (2) The Role of Interdisciplinarity in Research; (3) Interdisciplinarity: A Researcher’s Motivation or a Structural Pressure?; (4) Current Trends and Applications of Mixed Research Methods; (5) Dr Lamont’s Preferred Mixed Research Methods; (6) Causality and Complexity in Positivist Research Approaches; (7) Real-Time Data Analytics: Balancing Empirical Depth and Immediacy in Political Research; (8) Challenges of Accessibility: The Future of Electronic Sources in Research; (9) Constructivist and Postcolonial Critiques of Traditional Empirical Methodologies; (10) Bridging Local Case Studies and Global Generalisations: Methodological Innovations in IR; (11) The Potential of Multi-Level Network Analysis in Understanding Power Structures; (12) Methodological Challenges in Studying Informal Diplomatic Practices; (13) Research Methods That Need More Focus in the Second Edition; (14) The Role of AI in Research Methodology and Analysis; and (15) Which Research Methods Require Further Exploration for Better Understanding?Official Websitehttps://irthinker.com/

The growing importance of critical minerals is reshaping global geopolitics, resource security, and international economic relations.As the world accelerates its transition towards clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing, the demand for critical minerals—such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements—has surged, raising new challenges for policymakers and industries alike.In this discussion with Dr. Vlado Vivoda, we will explore the key issues surrounding critical minerals, focusing on supply chain vulnerabilities, the geopolitical implications of resource dependency, and the strategies needed to ensure secure and sustainable access.Dr Vlado Vivoda is a renowned scholar and researcher affiliated with the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland, Australia.His work addresses some of the most pressing global challenges, focusing on the geopolitics of critical minerals, sustainable energy policies, and the strategic impacts of global energy transitions.He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Resources Policy, one of the world’s premier journals dedicated to the economics and policy dimensions of energy and mineral extraction, production and use.Content: (1) Strategic Rivalries: Critical Minerals and the US-China Competition; (2) National Security Implications of Critical Minerals; (3) The Weaponisation of Critical Minerals; (4) Competition or Cooperation? State Dynamics in the Critical Minerals Race; (5) The Minerals Security Partnership: Objectives and Impact; (6) Can the Quest for Critical Minerals Spark Conflict?; (7) Neocolonialism in Mineral Extraction Practices; (8) Chinese vs Western Mining Strategies: A Comparative Perspective; (9) Non-State Actors and NGOs in the Critical Minerals Sector; (10) The Disinformation Campaign Against Rio Tinto in Serbia; and (11) Three Underexplored Areas in Critical Minerals Research.Official Website:https://irthinker.com/

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Dr Christopher Mott on the shifting landscape of global hegemony, with particular attention to East Asia’s strategic and economic dynamics. We also examine the roles of middle powers, non-state actors, and evolving US foreign policy in shaping the future of international relations.Content: (1) Defining Hegemony: Historical Roots and Growth; (2) The Post-Hegemonic Age: Myth or Reality?; (3) China’s Hegemonic Ambitions: Emerging Strategies; (4) Hegemony in Decline: Systemic or Cyclical Shifts?; (5) US Hegemony: Erosion or Evolution Ahead?; (6) Global Multipolarity: Adapting to New Power Centres; (7) Middle Powers: Bridging Gaps in Global Governance; (8) Misplaced Fears: Unpacking US Foreign Policy; (9) Non-State Actors: Shaping the Future of Power; and (10) Realism and Dr. Mott: A Research Perspective.Dr. Mott is a Washington Fellow at the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy and an international relations scholar specialising in geopolitics, strategy, and the intersection of defensive realism and sovereignty.Selected PublicationsThe Rise of a Multipolar West Asia: Why the Middle East Resists HegemonyTurkey: A Middle Power PioneerMiddle Powers in the Multipolar WorldThe Formless Empire: A Short History of Diplomacy and Warfare in Central AsiaPolycentrism and the Eurasian Balance of PowerChristopher’s BlogThe Trickster’s Guide to Geopolitics https://geotrickster.com/The official website: https://irthinker.com/

In this insightful interview with Professor Mark LeBar, we explore how eudaimonism—a cornerstone of ancient ethics—continues to shape modern philosophical and practical discourse. Covering topics from virtue ethics and moral autonomy to AI ethics and global challenges, this conversation bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary issues, offering fresh perspectives on leadership, responsibility, and societal flourishing. Dive in to discover how eudaimonism remains relevant in navigating today’s ethical complexities.Mark LeBar is an American philosopher and professor of philosophy at Florida State University. He is known for his works on moral philosophy and is the editor of Social Theory and Practice since 2015.LeBar’s research interests encompass ethical theory, social and political philosophy, and ancient philosophy.His notable publications include The Value of Living Well (2013), which integrates ancient Greek eudaimonism with contemporary ethical theory; Equality and Public Policy (2015), co-edited with Antony Davies, David Schmidtz and Fred D. Miller Jr.; and Justice (2018), an edited volume examining the virtue of justice from multidisciplinary perspectives.Selected Publications:LeBar, M. (Ed.). (2018). Justice. Oxford University Press.LeBar, M. (2017). Eudaimonism (N. E. Snow, Ed.; Vol. 1). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199385195.013.27LeBar, M., Davies, A., & Schmidtz, D. (Eds.). (2015). Equality and Public Policy. Cambridge University Press.LeBar, M. (2013). The Value of Living Well. Oxford University Press.LeBar, M. (2008). Aristotelian constructivism. Social Philosophy and Policy, 25(1), 182–213. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0265052508080072LeBar, M. (1999). Kant on welfare. Canadian Journal of Philosophy, 29(2), 225–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/00455091.1999.10717512Throughout his career, LeBar has been recognised for his contributions to philosophy, including receiving an Earhart Foundation Fellowship and serving as a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellowship Panelist.Content: (1) How Eudaimonism Redefines What Is Good for Us in Modern Ethics; (2) Eudaimonism Today: Has It Evolved into a Modern Equivalent?; (3) Practical Rationality vs Rule-Based Ethics: Insights from Eudaimonism; (4) Rules vs Norms: Understanding Their Ethical Distinction; (5) Virtue Ethics vs Moral Relativism: Using Ancient Ideas to Argue Universality; (6) Eudaimonism and Modern Moral Theories: A Cohesive View of Facts and Reasons; (7) Balancing Individual Flourishing with Social Responsibility Through Eudaimonism; (8) Moral Autonomy and Social Obligations: Finding Harmony Through Virtue; (9) Eudaimonism and Emerging Technologies: Addressing AI’s Ethical Challenges; (10) Bridging Polarisation: Virtue Eudaimonism in Political and Ethical Conflicts; (11) Global Environmental Issues: Eudaimonism and Collective Responsibility; (12) Cultural Diversity and Globalisation: Evolving Eudaimonism for Modern Challenges; and (13) Philosophy Meets International Relations: Interdisciplinary Opportunities.Official Website:https://irthinker.com/

In this engaging interview with Bill Emmott, former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, we explore Japan's political uncertainty and its ripple effects on international relations. From the dominance of the Liberal Democratic Party to Japan's energy security challenges, Article 9 debates, and its role in the Indo-Pacific region, this conversation dives into the critical issues shaping Japan's global position in 2024. Watch as we discuss the US-Japan alliance, relations with South Korea, and Japan’s response to China's Belt and Road Initiative. Don't miss this insightful discussion on Japan's evolving role in a rapidly changing world!Bill Emmott is a renowned independent writer, consultant, and expert in international affairs with a distinguished career spanning over four decades. A former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, he spent 26 years at the publication, which he joined in 1980. Over this time, he worked as a correspondent and editor in Brussels, Tokyo, and London, covering a wide range of topics, including politics, finance, economics, and global business. In 1993, he was appointed Editor-in-Chief, a role he held for 13 years, during which he shaped The Economist’s voice on some of the world’s most critical issues.Bill is a prolific author, particularly noted for his expertise on Japan. His first major book, The Sun Also Sets: Why Japan Will Not Be Number One (1989), sparked global discussions about Japan’s economic future. His latest work, Japan’s Far More Female Future, highlights the potential for a gender-balanced transformation in Japanese society. Published in Japanese by Nikkei in 2019 and in English by Oxford University Press in 2020, it underscores his continued relevance in analysing Japan’s evolving role in the world.Bill’s leadership and contributions extend far beyond writing. He serves as the Ushioda Fellow at Tokyo College, University of Tokyo; chairman of the board of Trinity College Dublin’s Long Room Hub Arts & Humanities Research Institute; chairman of the Japan Society in the UK (until December 2024); and chairman of the trustees of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). His involvement in these institutions reflects his dedication to fostering academic, cultural, and strategic understanding on a global scale.In recognition of his contributions to UK-Japan relations, the Japanese government awarded Bill the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun: Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in 2016.Content: (1) International Impact of the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) Dominance; (2) LDP: A Conservative Party in Liberal Clothing?; (3) Energy Security Amid Domestic Political Uncertainty; (4) Public Opinion on Reopening Nuclear Plants; (5) Can Japan Lead the Energy Transition Despite Lagging in Renewables?; (6) Article 9 and Its Role in Japan’s Contemporary Security Strategy; (7) Prospects for Modifying Article 9; (8) The State of the US-Japan Alliance in 2024; (9) Opportunities for Japan-South Korea Relations Amid Indo-Pacific Tensions; (10) Prime Minister’s Vision of an Asian ‘NATO’; (11) Japan’s Role in Taiwan Strait Tensions; (12) China’s Economic Leverage Over Japan; (13) Japan’s Response to the Belt and Road Initiative; (14) Achievements and Challenges in Japanese Economic Diplomacy; and (15) The Role of Japan Society in the UK in International RelationsNote: At 5:09 min, the following sentence was said by Bill Emmott during the interview: ‘That a full consensus has not really successfully built up and become shared across the whole of society.’Official website:https://irthinker.com/