Myth and Narrative in International Politics

This book systematically explores how different theoretical concepts of myth can be utilised to interpretively explore contemporary international politics. From the international community to warlords, from participation to effectiveness – international politics is replete with powerful narratives and commonly held beliefs that qualify as myths. Rebutting the understanding of myth-as-lie, this collection of essays unearths the ideological, naturalising, and depoliticising effect of myths.

Myth and Narrative in International Politics:  Interpretive Approaches to the Study of IR offers conceptual and methodological guidance on how to make sense of different myth theories and how to employ them in order to explore the powerful collective imaginations and ambiguities that underpin international politics today. Further, it assembles case studies of specific myths in different fields of International Relations, including warfare, global governance, interventionism, development aid, and statebuilding. The findings challenge conventional assumptions in International Relations, encouraging  academics  in IR and across a range of different fields and disciplines, including development studies, global governance studies, strategic and military studies, intervention and statebuilding studies, and peace and conflict studies, to rethink ideas that are widely unquestioned by policy and academic communities. 

“A wide-ranging , inter-disciplinary volume that breaks new ground by analysing how myths bind people together and set them against each other in the light of social inequalities and power struggles.  Myth and Narrative in International Politics is highly recommended to all researchers working at the intersection of social theory and world politics.” (Andrew Linklater, Aberystwyth University, UK)

Dr Berit Bliesemann de Guevara is a Senior Lecturer in Peacebuilding at Aberystwyth University, UK. Her current research focuses on ways of knowing in conflict and intervention politics through projects on transnational think tanks, urban legends of intervention, theatrical performances during politicians’ field visits and, not least, myths in international politics.