Realism and International Relations

A Graphic Turn Toward Scientific Progress

Patrick James (Autor)

Buch | Hardcover

648 Seiten

2022
Oxford University Press Inc (Verlag)
978-0-19-764502-4 (ISBN)

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Realism is one of the core theories within the field of international relations, and it generally posits a state system characterized by anarchy where states act in what they perceive to be their own self interests. It is a controversial theory, and it has many opponents. Yet effective debate among realists and those who identify with other schools of thought has diminished dramatically over time. As Patrick James argues in Realism and International Relations, scholars in the field have become dissatisfied with results from exchanges in words alone. He contends that translation of the vast amount of information in the field into knowledge requires a greater emphasis on communication beyond the use of text. Given the challenges posed by existing and intensifying information overload, he develops a new model that relies on the graphic representation of analytical arguments.

As James explains, realist scholarship in the post-World War II era is the natural domain for the application of systemism, a graphic form of expression with straightforward rules for portrayal of analytical arguments, notably cause and effect within theories. Systemism goes beyond prior iterations of systems theory to offer a visualization technique borrowed and adapted from the philosophy of science. Systemist graphics reveal the shortcomings, contributions and potential of realism. These visualizations, which focus on realist theories about war, are intended to bring order out of what critics tend to describe, with some justification, as chaos. In sum, a graphic turn for realism in particular and international relations in general is essential in order to achieve the scientific progress that otherwise is likely to remain elusive. A major theoretical work by an eminent scholar, this will be of interest to all theorists focusing how the international system of states actually functions.

Patrick James is the author or editor of over 30 books and more than 170 articles and book chapters. Among his honors and awards are the Louise Dyer Peace Fellowship from the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, Official Visitor at Nuffield College of Oxford University, and the Governor-General's International Award in Canadian Studies. James has been Distinguished Scholar for the ISA in Foreign Policy Analysis, 2006-07, Ethnicity, Nationalism and Migration, 2009-10, and Active Learning and International Studies, 2021-22. He served as President of the ISA, 2018-19. James is the Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Bibliographies in International Relations.

Preface

Acknowledgments

Part I Setting the Agenda

Chapter 1 Realism, International Relations and the World Today
Chapter 2 Progress in International Relations

Part II Creating a Metatheory of Progress for International Relations

Chapter 3 Introducing Components: Knowledge, Units and Methods
Chapter 4 Knowledge
Chapter 5 Units
Chapter 6 Methods
Chapter 7 A Metatheory of Progress

Part III Identifying Realism

Chapter 8 The Nature of Realism
Chapter 9 Classifying Realist Theories of War
Chapter 10 Classical Realism

Part IV Realist Theories of War

Chapter 11 Power Cycles
Chapter 12 Structural Realism
Chapter 13 Balance of Threat
Chapter 14 Balance of Interests
Chapter 15 Defensive Realism
Chapter 16 Dynamic Differentials
Chapter 17 Offensive Realism
Chapter 18 Predation

Part V The Way Forward

Chapter 19 Dialogue for Realist Theories of War
Chapter 20 Realism and Progress in International Relations

References

Erscheinungsdatum	21.10.2022
Zusatzinfo	75
Verlagsort	New York
Sprache	englisch
Maße	239 x 163 mm
Gewicht	1093 g
Themenwelt	Sozialwissenschaften ► Politik / Verwaltung ► Europäische / Internationale Politik
ISBN-10	0-19-764502-X / 019764502X
ISBN-13	978-0-19-764502-4 / 9780197645024
Zustand	Neuware