Call for papers: Marxism in Contemporary International Relations
The World Tensions journal invites academics, researchers, and professionals in the fields of International Relations, Political Science, Sociology, Geography, History, and related disciplines to submit articles for a thematic issue on the intersections between Marxism and International Relations in a contemporary global context. We seek contributions that analyze recent global transformations and emerging theoretical and practical challenges, utilizing Marxist theory as an interpretive lens to understand the current world from an internationalist perspective.
Historically, Marxism and International Relations (IR) have followed distinct paths, often in epistemological and methodological conflict. Marxist thought, focused on the critique of capitalism, imperialism, and the movement of history through class struggle, has often been marginalized in IR discussions, which have been more oriented towards realist and liberal theories. Marxist theory, centered on the transcendence of the state and the creation of a global communist society, viewed IR as a field studying transitional phenomena and thus did not assign it great importance. Conversely, IR scholars have sometimes underestimated the analytical depth that Marxist theories offer for understanding global dynamics, particularly concerning the hegemony of great powers.
In the early 21st century, there was a growing interest in integrating Marxist perspectives into the analysis of International Relations. This movement, as argued by Alex Callinicos, was not limited to the need to update Marxist theories to the new geopolitical and economic dynamics but also to an increasing awareness of the need for a more comprehensive critical analysis. The analysis of inequality, imperialism, and contemporary crises requires the incorporation of new perspectives for the 21st century, highlighting ecology as a crucial factor. The environmental crisis, now of global scale, demands planetary solutions and exposes environmental injustice, where poorer countries suffer disproportionately. Additionally, new types of conflicts, such as asymmetric wars, resource wars, and cyber warfare, require a review of traditional war conventions, expanding the analysis of these issues.
Callinicos argues that the classical Marxist theory of imperialism, while fundamental, needs to be adapted to a 21st-century context. The classical perspective on imperialism, based on Lenin's thought, primarily focused on North/South relations and competition between states for colonies. However, contemporary imperialism takes on more complex forms, including the interpenetration of capital, the formation of economic blocs, and the growing influence of international financial institutions.
In light of this scenario, this special issue of World Tensions has three fundamental objectives:
- Re-examine the contemporary relevance of Marxist theories in International Relations: How have Marxist theories been reinterpreted to explain changes in the international system? What contributions does Marxist thought offer for understanding global power dynamics?
- Assess the adaptation of Marxist thought to new geopolitical and economic realities: With the rise of new powers like China and the persistence of crises in global capitalism, what are the challenges and opportunities for Marxism in the field of IR?
- Propose new theoretical approaches that broaden the understanding of current global crises: How can Marxist approaches be updated or expanded to provide a more effective critical analysis of the environmental, economic, and social crises affecting the contemporary international system?
For this special issue, we encourage the submission of theoretical and empirical works exploring, among others, the following topics:
- Geopolitics and Global Capitalism;
- Imperialism, Class Struggle, and International Relations;
- The Influence of Marxism on National Liberation Movements;
- Marxist Theory of the State and the International System;
- Marxist Ecology and Global Environmental Crises;
- Challenges and Limitations of Classical Marxist Theories.
Submission Guidelines
Manuscripts should be between 6,000 and 8,000 words, including footnotes and references.
Submissions must strictly follow the journal's guidelines, available on our website at: https://revistas.uece.br/index.php/tensoesmundiais/about/submissions
Articles must be original and not previously published, and can be submitted in Portuguese, English, Spanish or French.
Submission deadline: 31/01/2025
Expected publication: August 2025.
Review Process
All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer review process, ensuring the quality and relevance of the published articles. Interested authors should submit their manuscripts, identified by the code [# TMMRI], through the journal's online system at: https://revistas.uece.br/index.php/tensoesmundiais.
World Tensions looks forward to receiving contributions that offer new perspectives and strengthen the debate on Marxist theory in the analysis of contemporary International Relations.
For more information or clarifications, please contact our editors:
Ana Maria Prestes: anamprestes@gmail.com
Political Science Doctorate by the Federal University of Minas Gerais
Fábio Maia Sobral: fabio.maia.sobral@gmail.com
Associate Professor of the Federal University of Ceará
Luis Gustavo Guerreiro: guguerreiro@gmail.com
Public Policy Doctorate by the State University of Ceará
Moara Assis Crivelente: moara.crivelente@gmail.com
International Policy and Conflict Resolution Doctorate student at the University of Coimbra
Rita Matos Coitinho: ritamcoitinho@gmail.com
Geography Doctorate by the Federal University of Santa Catarina
