Cognitive Evolution and World Ordering

doi:10.1017/9781009058193.002

1 - Cognitive Evolution and World Ordering

Opening New Vistas

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 November 2021

Vincent Pouliot ,

Markus Kornprobst and

Piki Ish-Shalom

Edited by

Piki Ish-Shalom ,

Markus Kornprobst and

Vincent Pouliot

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Piki Ish-Shalom: Affiliation:
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Markus Kornprobst: Affiliation:
University of Vienna
Vincent Pouliot: Affiliation:
McGill University, Montréal

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Summary

This chapter provides an overview of how Adler’s social theory of cognitive evolution helps us study international orders. First, we compare and contrast world ordering theory with its main alternatives in International Relations, starting with Ikenberry’s. Second, we elaborate on the key building blocks of cognitive evolution theory, including evolution and process, communities of practice, creativity and learning, social order and bounded progress. Third and finally, we raise a number of critical questions about Adler’s theory, in order to chart new avenues for future research. We ask about the role of material forces, the interaction of multiple orders, the conceptualization of power and agency, the place of communication and the normative extensions that the theory suggests. We conclude by presenting the following chapters in the book.

Keywords

Theories of international order evolution and change communities of practice learning power progress

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Theorizing World Orders
Cognitive Evolution and Beyond
, pp. 1 - 34

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009058193.002 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2021

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