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Global Affairs: Why Europe's Role in International Relations is Overlooked

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Beau Callahan in Global Affairs April 2025 • 4 min read.

"Is Eurocentrism blinding us to the valuable contributions of European scholars?"


In the ever-evolving sphere of International Relations (IR), scholars have long emphasized the dynamics that shape global discipline diversity. However, this emphasis has predominantly focused on the dichotomy between ‘American’ and ‘non-Western’ IR, often sidelining the unique voices, perspectives, and practices of scholars within Europe. This oversight raises critical questions about the identity dynamics at play and the subtle marginalization of European cases in broader discussions about global diversity and hegemony.

This article delves into the heart of this matter, questioning why European contributions are often overlooked in the global IR discourse. By employing anthropological and sociological tools, it seeks to unravel the postcolonial and eurocentric narratives that contribute to this situation. It proposes that assuming a balanced ethnocentric stance is vital for fostering a relational model that truly promotes pluralism, advocating for a more inclusive and representative global dialogue.

The discussion begins with the premise that works focusing on Europe are often marginalized in conversations about the diversity and circulation of knowledge in International Relations. While American parochialism and eurocentrism are frequently cited as hindrances to a genuinely global IR, the concrete manifestations of contemporary eurocentrism among European scholars remain largely unexplored. This article bridges this gap, calling for a re-evaluation of Europe's role in international scholarship.

Why Are European Perspectives Often Overlooked?

Scholars building a bridge of books connecting Europe with the rest of the world.

Despite the significant number of scholars contributing to IR in Europe and the region’s potential for institutionalizing IR at a regional level, studies specifically focusing on ‘IR in Europe’ are scarce compared to other geographical areas. This marginalization doesn’t imply a lack of cognitive or identity cohesion among European scholars; rather, ‘IR in Europe’ is often used as an implied framework for comparing different national IR situations within the continent.

The notion of distinct European schools of thought, such as the Copenhagen School or the English School, further illustrates this tendency. Certain groups of European countries (e.g., Nordic countries or Western Europe) are sometimes considered to share a regional dynamic, reinforcing the idea of a cohesive ‘IR in Europe.’ However, the continuing debate about the cohesiveness of European IR scholars highlights the complexities and nuances within this category.
  • Historical Context: Europe's colonial past and historical dominance may create a perception that European perspectives are inherently biased or hegemonic.
  • Focus on US and 'Non-Western' IR: The academic discourse tends to prioritize the US and 'non-Western' perspectives, leaving less space for European voices.
  • Internal Divisions: Fragmentation and lack of cohesion among European IR scholars may undermine the perception of a unified European perspective.
The implicit presence of Europe is evident in literature addressing diversity and hegemony in IR, often through the distinction between ‘Western’ and ‘non-Western’ IR. By highlighting the lack of visibility of ‘non-Western’ IR and promoting its alternatives, ‘IR in Europe’ (as a sub-unit of ‘the West’) is implicitly cast as an entity to be resisted. This fluidity between ‘Europe’ and ‘the West’ illustrates the complex dynamics at play in the global IR discourse.

Transforming the Narrative: Embracing Ethnocentrism

Ultimately, the key to unlocking Europe's potential contribution to global IR diversity lies in transforming the narrative. This requires moving beyond the mindset of resistance against American IR and feelings of guilt about Europe's historical colonial dominance. By fostering a space of confident creation, European IR scholars can join their American counterparts in denaturalizing their perspectives and promoting a more balanced and inclusive global dialogue.

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