Author profile: Robert W. Murray

Robert W. Murray is Vice-President of Research at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy and an Adjunct Professor of Political Science at the University of Alberta. He holds a Senior Research Fellowship at the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies and Research Fellowships at the University of Calgary’s Centre for Military and Strategic Studies and University of Alberta’s European Union Centre for Excellence. He is the co-editor of Libya, the Responsibility to Protect, and the Future of Humanitarian Intervention with Aidan Hehir (Palgrave, 2013), Into the Eleventh Hour: R2P, Syria and Humanitarianism in Crisis with Alasdair MacKay (E-International Relations, 2014), and International Relations and the Arctic: Understanding Policy and Governance with Anita Dey Nuttall (Cambria, 2014). He is the Editor of the IR Theory and Practice blog on E-IR.

New Site, New Voices, Same Purpose

Robert W. Murray • Jan 30 2014 • Articles

The relaunch of this blog is going to introduce some exciting new elements and an all-star cast of regular contributors from across the world to ignite dialogue on key issues.

In Defence of Expertise

Robert W. Murray • Dec 16 2013 • Articles

What exactly is an ‘expert’ and with the incredible databases of knowledge available, is there really a need for experts anymore? Further, do they still exist beyond the ivory towers of academia?

Reaffirming the General Assembly’s Futility

Robert W. Murray • Nov 13 2013 • Articles

In a history plagued with inaction human rights issues and abuses, the UN again proved its ineptitude this week by awarding seats on its Human Rights Council to China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Cuba and Algeria.

Obama, Syria and the Fading Unipolar Moment

Robert W. Murray • Sep 9 2013 • Articles

As the world watches the Obama Administration fumble its way through a decision about Syria, it is striking just how far the US has fallen in its relative place as a unipolar hegemon.

Waltzian Metatheory: A Rejoinder to Brittnee Carter

Robert W. Murray • Jul 31 2013 • Articles

A recent article on e-IR examined some of the metatheoretical implications of Waltz’s 1979 Theory of International Politics. Though an excellent analysis, there are some points to add.

The Politics of the Realist/Liberal Divide

Robert W. Murray • Jul 12 2013 • Articles

Stephen Walt recently pointed out that realist academics tend to be solitary while liberals often collaborate and write jointly. However, he misses a crucial point that needs to be added to the discussion.

The Need for an English School Research Program

Robert W. Murray • May 21 2013 • Articles

Until the practitioners of the English School begin to define precisely what an ES research program would look like, the School’s impact on international theory remains outside the mainstream.

Reflecting on Kenneth Waltz

Robert W. Murray • May 14 2013 • Articles

As professors, students and lovers of international relations, we walk in the shadows of giants. Our field lost one of its giants yesterday with the passing of the undisputedly influential Kenneth Waltz.

IR Theory and the DPRK

Robert W. Murray • Apr 10 2013 • Articles

Looking at interpretations of current events through an IR theory lens, it is astonishing at how often claims have been made that war is likely, and that we have no way of understanding what North Korea might do.

Acquiring a Bomb Does Not an Aggressor Make

Robert W. Murray • Mar 8 2013 • Articles

In yet another example of its limited abilities to impact international outcomes, the UNSC again this week agreed to sanction North Korea in an effort to deter threats of nuclear war.

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