Toward a Historical Sociology of International Relations from Mexico

Abstract

This article raises the ontological and epistemological problem that explains why International Relations (IR) is not a truly global discipline, as it fails to represent the experiences of all its actors, whether in terms of scalarity (a plurality of collective actors) or geotemporality. It also seeks to demonstrate, through an interdisciplinary documentary analysis, how time is the great consolidator of the deepest structures of the international system. It therefore advocates the application of Historical Sociology on research conducted in this field of knowledge, considering it an ideal theoretical and methodological framework for uncovering these deep structures and confronting their theories. Finally, it observes how research from a critical sociohistorical perspective in Mexico, which incorporates archaeology as an auxiliary science, can distinguish itself from other epistemological schools by verifying the agency of autonomous pre-state political units in a country’s international experience and thus highlighting its distinctive elements in the various historical periods in which the sociopolitical fabric of a state was formed.This contributes to efforts from Public Diplomacy to project Mexico as an inclusive and peaceful actor.