Bertrand Badie’s Lecture on "The Subjective Approach to International Relations Research"

On September 12, 2024, distinguished French scholar and political scientist Bertrand Badie, Professor Emeritus at Sciences Po (Paris Institute of Political Studies), delivered a lecture titled "The Subjective Approach to the Study of International Relations" in Room 408 of the Mingguo Building. The event was hosted by Associate Professor Luo Tianhong from the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China.

In his lecture, Professor Badie proposed a new framework for the study of international relations, emphasizing the central role of subjectivity in international politics. He critiqued traditional theories, arguing that the study of international relations should not be confined solely to traditional issues of security, sovereignty, and strategy. Professor Badie pointed out that the formation and evolution of the international order and agenda are profoundly influenced by the identities, values, and cultural backgrounds of both state and non-state actors. These subjective factors are crucial for understanding the complexity and dynamics of international politics. In the current context of globalization, Professor Badie analyzed the challenges and opportunities facing the international community and proposed new theories and methods to address them. He also introduced his forthcoming book, The Art of Peace (L’art de la Paix), which explores the theory and practice of peacebuilding and argues that peace is an active construction based on shared values and identities.

During the Q&A session, Professor Badie engaged in an in-depth discussion with students and faculty on the challenges and opportunities of the new approach. He emphasized the importance of mutual understanding in conflict resolution and explored topics such as how states adapt to globalization, changes in subjectivity, and diversity. Professor Badie encouraged the audience to approach their studies with optimism, ask more questions, and develop a deeper understanding of subjectivity in international relations, stressing the importance of recognizing subjectivity and diversity in research.