New book on role theory in international relations suggests "come-back" for role theory

Trine Flockhart has contributed a chapter to the new edited book Role Theory in International Relations: Approaches and Analyses(London, Routledge, 2011) edited by Sebastian Harnisch, Cornelia Frank and Hanns W. Maull

The volume provides a comprehensive and up-to-date survey of recent scholarship on foreign policy roles, and extensive analysis of role behavior in the current conditions of declining American hegemony. The volume takes stock of role theory within foreign policy analysis, International Relations and social science theory by combining role theory approaches with IR concepts such as socialization, learning and communicative action.

The chapter by Trine Flockhart focuses on NATO and the constitution of self”, “we” and “other”. The chapter argues that despite considerable change in NATO's structural environment and within NATO itself, Lord Ismay's description of NATO's role as “keeping the Russians out, the Americans in and the Germans down” is still relevant. NATO's role is still essentially to keep its members safe from threats, to ensure the cohesion of the transatlantic relationship, and to transform relations between former foes. However, behind this alluringly simple description of NATO, lie complex “self”, “we” and “other” definitions and perceptions of roles and relevant functional tasks. The chapter seeks to unravel some of the complex processes of constituting and re-constituting NATO's roles. By utilizing a combination of role theory and social identity theory the paper traces how NATO has been engaged in complex and simultaneous processes of having a role set defined for it, whilst also being deeply involved in constructing its own identity and the identity of its member states, prospective member states and partners.