Explaining and Understanding International Relations

Martin Hollis, Steve Smith

ISBN 10: 0198275897 / ISBN 13: 9780198275893

Editore: Oxford University Press, GB, 1991

Riguardo questo articolo

Are the workings of the international world to be explained scientifically, or are they to be understood through their inward meaning? In Explaining and Understanding International Relations philosopher Martin Hollis and international relations scholar Steve Smith join forces to analyse the dominant theories of international relations and to examine the philosophical issues underlying them.The book has three parts. In the first the authors review the growth of the discipline since 1918, pose the 'level of analysis' problem of whether to account for a sytem in terms of its units or vice versa, and contrast the demand of scientific method with those of interpretative understanding. In the second they apply the contrast to four factors often cited in accounting for international behaviour - the international system, the state, bureaucracies, and decision-making individuals. Rival accounts of the games nations play are offered in readiness for the final part, where the authors propose a theoretical agenda, air their differences, and invite readers to take sides.By tackling deep theoretical issues with lucidity and verve this book will excite debate among theorists and students of international relations while also engaging thought about the philosophical character of the social sciences.

Codice articolo LU-9780198275893

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Explaining and Understanding International Relations
• Editore: Oxford University Press, GB
• Data di pubblicazione: 1991
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0198275897
• ISBN 13: 9780198275893
• Rilegatura: Paperback
• Condizione: New
• Peso: 296 grammi

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

A collaboration between a philosopher and an international relations scholar, this work examines the philosophical issues that underlie the theory of international relations. Part I focuses on the dominant theories of Idealism, Realism, and Behavioralism, and Part II examines the international system, the state, bureaucracies, and the individual-four factors commonly assumed to account for international behavior. The authors conclude with a summary of the links between the two forms of analysis and an open-ended assessment of their relative merits which will stimulate further discussion.

Informazioni sull?autore

Martin Hollis is the co-author, with F. Hahn, of the 1979 OUP book Philosophy and Economic Theory which sold 4000 copies before going out of print.