Theoretical Frontiers of Narrative Research

For some time now, IR has been experiencing a narrative turn, with an increasing number of empirical analyses using the concept. However, its ontological, epistemological and methodological assumptions and implications are not always addressed. The panel aims to facilitate a conceptual debate on three sets of questions: Ontology: How does our understanding of the concept depend on the social theories we use? What is its analytical value compared to concepts like ideas, discourse, norms, or ideology? Should we assume a certain internal structure of narratives (e.g. time, actors, plot) or should it vary with the theories employed? Epistemology: Can we observe social reality independently of narratives, or is all human perception pre-structured by them? If narratives and perceptions of reality are intertwined (i.e., if narratives have productive power), how does this affect concepts of agency? Can we conceptualize actors as having interests and ideas independent of the narratives shaping their perceptions, or are narratives and actors mutually constitutive? Methodology: What are the implications if narratives, perceptions and the constitution of actors are intertwined? Can we work with independent and dependent variables (i.e. hypothesize that actors make narratives or vice versa)? What methodologies are appropriate for analyzing narratives and their effects?