Social Theory of International PoliticsCambridge University Press, 1999 M10 7 - 429 pages Drawing upon philosophy and social theory, Social Theory of International Politics develops a theory of the international system as a social construction. Alexander Wendt clarifies the central claims of the constructivist approach, presenting a structural and idealist worldview which contrasts with the individualism and materialism which underpins much mainstream international relations theory. He builds a cultural theory of international politics, which takes whether states view each other as enemies, rivals or friends as a fundamental determinant. Wendt characterises these roles as 'cultures of anarchy', described as Hobbesian, Lockean and Kantian respectively. These cultures are shared ideas which help shape state interests and capabilities, and generate tendencies in the international system. The book describes four factors which can drive structural change from one culture to another - interdependence, common fate, homogenization, and self-restraint - and examines the effects of capitalism and democracy in the emergence of a Kantian culture in the West. -- Publisher description. |
Contents
II | 1 |
III | 5 |
IV | 20 |
V | 38 |
VI | 43 |
VII | 45 |
VIII | 49 |
IX | 62 |
XXIV | 191 |
XXV | 196 |
XXVI | 213 |
XXVII | 222 |
XXVIII | 231 |
XXIX | 241 |
XXX | 244 |
XXXI | 249 |
X | 65 |
XI | 75 |
XII | 81 |
XIII | 88 |
XIV | 90 |
XV | 94 |
XVI | 111 |
XVII | 133 |
XVIII | 137 |
XIX | 143 |
XX | 163 |
XXI | 182 |
XXII | 187 |
XXIII | 189 |
XXXII | 257 |
XXXIII | 277 |
XXXIV | 295 |
XXXV | 306 |
XXXVI | 311 |
XXXVII | 316 |
XXXVIII | 334 |
XXXIX | 341 |
XL | 364 |
XLI | 368 |
XLII | 377 |
XLIII | 418 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
actors agents anarchy approach argue argument assumptions behavior Buzan causal causal and constitutive chapter cognitive concept constitutive effects constructivism constructivist cooperation corporate debate define depends desires and beliefs discourse distinction domestic egoistic enemy epistemological exist exogenous explain external fact foreign policy game theory Hobbesian Hobbesian culture holist human idealist identities and interests important individualist individuals interaction interdependence international politics international relations international system Kantian Kantian culture Keohane Lockean culture macro-level material forces materialist matter means multiply realizable national interest natural kinds natural selection needs Neoliberals Neorealism Neorealists norms objective ontology organized Philosophy power and interest problem properties question rational choice theory rationalist realist reference relationship relatively role scientific scientific realism self-interest sense shared ideas social construction social kinds social science social structures social theory society Sociology sovereignty structural change supervenience theory of international tion treat unit-level violence Waltz Wendt world politics
Popular passages
Page 426 - Christopher Clapham, Africa and the International System: The Politics of State Survival (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996), 191. 32. Helena Cook, "Amnesty International at the UN...
Page 427 - Sinclair Approaches to world order 39 Jens Bartelson A genealogy of sovereignty 38 Mark Rupert Producing hegemony The politics of mass production and American global power 37 Cynthia Weber Simulating sovereignty Intervention, the state and symbolic exchange 36 Gary Goertz Contexts of international politics 35 fames L.