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THE WORLD AS THEORY AND PRAXIS

The writings and work of Luther Lee McPherson IV

The World as Theory and Praxis is the online host of my collected writings so far. This work will range from politics, philosophy, international relations, and perhaps a bit of cultural critique as well. Some manuscripts will be written in a more academic manner, while others may read more like op-eds. I hope these pieces manage to achieve a level of intrigue without becoming too tendentious.

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PUBLICATIONS

Research and Articles

Wall Mural in Nogales

DECONSTRUCTING RISK: MISCALCULATION AND THE FALSE PROMISE OF OBJECTIVITY IN SECURITY

November 6, 2019

Published in Part of the Discourse Vol. 1, Issue 1.

President Trump visits China 2017

DONALD TRUMP AND IR THEORY: REALISM VS. LIBERALISM IN CONTEXT

August 7, 2018

This is my MSc dissertation written for The University of Edinburgh. In light of the John Bolton tell-all, this piece arguing Trump lacks any ideological or theoretical notions in his approach to International Politics seems to have been proven correct.

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ABOUT ME

I am a Ph.D. student in Political Thought at Virginia Tech. My research currently revolves around ontological and epistemological issues in theories of international relations, primarily with regard to security studies. However, I am interested in a wide variety of subjects in the political-social sphere, and as such my writing is not limited to only my stated graduate subject.

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COURSES TAUGHT

An ongoing list of courses I have instructed.

PSCI/IS  3114 Global Security

Fall 2021, Spring 2022

A survey of theories, perspectives, and concepts in International Security scholarship.

PSCI/IS  3104 Security Studies: Theories and Concepts

Summer 2022, Fall 2023

A dive into the basic theoretical questions surrounding the field of 'security' and a mapping of how these conceptual issues have unfolded through time.

PSCI/IS  3016 Political Theory

Fall 2022, Summer 2023

This course is focused on Modern Political theory from Hobbes to contemporary thought.

PSCI/IS  3615 International Relations

Fall 2020, Spring 2021

A survey of theories, perspectives, and concepts in International Relations scholarship.

PSCI/IS  3615 International Relations

Fall 2020, Spring 2021

A survey of theories, perspectives, and concepts in International Relations scholarship.

PSCI/IS 3104 Security Studies: Theories and Concepts

Summer 2022, Fall 2023

A dive into the development and relevance of 'security thinking' focused on tracing conceptual and theoretical issues.

PSCI/IS 3704 National Security Strategy

Spring 2023

This course examines the production and practice of developing national security strategy through a close examination of strategy whitepapers in an international frame.

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