The challenge of liminality for International Relations theory

• Published in: Review of international studies Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 481 - 494
• Main Author: MALKSOO, MARIA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.04.2012
• Subjects: Ambiguity; Anthropology; Congresses and Conventions; Creativity; Critical Realism; Cultural anthropology; Forum on Liminality; Hierarchy; Interdisciplinary aspects; International Relations; Law; Liminality; Ontology; Platform; Political theory; Politics; Rites of passage; Social change; Sovereignty

The concept of liminality favours a broad interpretation, lending itself easily to disciplinary contexts outside of the original framework of cultural anthropology. Developed by Arnold van Gennep and Victor Turner by exploring the rites of passage, liminality points to in-between situations and cond...