Alternative Perspectives

Is there an inherent value to analyses of world politics from alternative perspectives? Ann Tickner argued that we need alternative foundational stories about global politics; what is the value of such stories, if there is value to such stories?

Although it is always a good idea to try to see from different perspectives to get a better idea of the whole picture, like Tickner suggests doing, it is impossible to analyze world politics from every alternative perspective. There's simply too many of them. To focus on every so called marginalized group in the world, to look at it from the different perspectives and points of view of all of those as well, would be more trouble than what you would get out of it. Therefore, you need to choose what alternative perspectives you wish to focus on while observing world politics. But how can you choose that? It makes more sense to observe it from the most relevant perspectives to the problem.

Still, I don’t see as drastic a need for alternative foundational stories as Tickner thinks are necessary. Yeah, sure, it’s important to hear about how women were brushed over throughout the course of world (although she focused on European) history, how it was entrenched in the societal structures of the day. However, maybe I’m slightly old fashioned, but I’ve always believe in the idea “to the victor belongs the spoils.” Those with power in history have written the foundational stories that we base world politics on today, mostly because that’s what has worked. This could be considered short sighted, but sometimes alternative stories just aren’t as important as the facts that we have all learned. For example, to reference Tickner’s talk, maybe the reason that witch burning isn’t a key focus of foundation stories was because it wasn’t and isn’t as important to world politics as other issues going on around the same time, such as the development of colonies in North America (although it was a major societal issue). Maybe sometimes it is less of alternative perspectives being ignored and more that they just aren't always as important to the view of global politics.