Explaining the Position of Positivism and Critical Methods In Political Geography and Geopolitics Studies

Authors

Abstract

Extended Abstract
Introduction
Scientific research is a regular collection activity that with a standard visionary sight, and the
efficacy of a specific methodology answers to questions which beget into the mind of
researcher. Each theory or paradigm includes the three elements of ontology, epistemology and
methodology. The systematic relevance between these three elements can rebound in research
with scientific identity. Political geography and geopolitics theories are transmitting to a new
status and their appearances are graduating vicissitudinou. First, the new significance and words
overture (for example the international political economy, feminism, environment, critical
geopolitics, popular geopolitics, and globalization) in discussions of political geography and
geopolitics; Second, some of the prevalent significance and thoughts in political geography and
geopolitics definite at new style (for example government, autonomy, ridge, security, minority
laws and law of humans).
Methodology
The Research Method is Descriptive – Analytic and the information was collected in library
method.
Results and Discussion
We generally assume that reality is objectively given and can be described by measurable
properties which are independent of the observer (researcher) and his or her instruments.
Positivist studies generally attempt to test theories, in order to increase the predictive
understanding of phenomena. In line with this classified IS research as positivist if there was
evidence of formal propositions, quantifiable measures of variables, hypothesis testing, and the
drawing of inferences about a phenomenon from the sample to a stated population. Post
positivism method (critical) assumes that social reality is constituted historically and that it is
produced and reproduced by people. Although people can consciously act to change their social
and economic circumstances, critical researchers recognize that their ability to do so is
constrained by various forms of social, cultural and political dominations. The main task of
critical research is considered as being one of social critique, whereby the restrictive and
alienating conditions of the status quo are brought to light. Critical research focuses on the oppositions, conflicts and contradictions in contemporary society, and seeks to be emancipator
i.e. it should help to eliminate the causes of alienation and domination. Many of the important
questions in Political Geography and geopolitics in principle are methodological. In the
beginning of 1950s and 1960s, the methodological Issues with the changes of behaviorism in
political science, also entered Political Geography. Many of the Political Geography and
geopolitics researchers began to seek the usage of Scientific Methods. These questions caused
the reaction of the defenders of classical approaches. As a result, the other science methods
developed similar structural analysis. These works created the other methods as Critical and
post modern theories. This research has considered the basic division between the two groups of
researchers i.e. Positivism and Critical methods: 1- a group of researchers who believe
Positivism methods to be efficient for the science description of Political Geography and
geopolitics and, 2 - a group of researchers who believe that this work is impracticable and what
it can do to control Political Geography and geopolitics studies is commenting phenomena.
Conclusion
Comparisons between classical and critical geopolitics are made with the suggestion that both
versions, although different in most respects, are equally legitimate for study and perhaps may
be brought closer together, at least in ways that may complement each other, after inspection of
their comparative approaches. The classical version deserves consideration as a contribution to
international relations theory and to foreign policy making. The critical approach provides a
necessary critique of the classical, exposing its weaknesses and suggesting an emancipator
alternative. Accordingly, the author has selected a variety of associated characteristics that show
the primary variations between the classical and the critical approach, illustrated by appropriate
quotations and examples, reaching the conclusion that both versions of geopolitics, the classical
and the critical, merit credibility, and that a possibility exists where certain connections may be
located between the two that could mutually clarify and strengthen their unique contributions to
geopolitics as a whole. This research has considered the basic division between the two groups
of researchers i.e. Positivism and Critical methods: 1- a group of researchers who believe
Positivism methods to be efficient for the science description of Political Geography and
geopolitics and, 2 - a group of researchers who believe that this work is impracticable and what
it can do to control Political Geography and geopolitics studies is commenting phenomena.
Therefore, the present research tries to distinguish the nature and position of this method in
Political Geography and geopolitics studies.

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