The Neglect of the First Image in IR Theory (Paper in Progress)

Despite its importance, the first image rarely figures in theories of international relations. Two conventional wisdoms explain this neglect: first, that the first image does not matter; second, that our epistemological or methodological predilections limit our ability to theorize it. Neither is true. I argue that we neglect the first image not because it is difficult to quantify or study rigorously, but because we tend to work from paradigmatic foundations which have neglected it. I demonstrate this claim using the TRIP journal article database. I conclude with the hope that, once we understand the sources of this neglect, we can overcome them.