Philosophical pragmatism and international relations : essays for a bold new world / edited by Shane J. Ralston.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Ralston, Shane.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

International relations--Philosophy.

Pragmatism.

Physical Description:

vii, 228 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Maryland : Lexington Books, [2013]

Summary:

What are the implications of philosophical pragmatism for international relations theory and foreign policy practice? According to John Ryder, "a foreign policy built on pragmatist principles is neither naïve nor dangerous. In fact, it is very much what both the United States and the world are currently in need of." Close observers of Barack Obama's foreign policy statements have also raised the possibility of a distinctly pragmatist approach to international relations. Absent from the three dominant theoretical perspectives in the field-realism, idealism and constructivism-is any mention of pragmatism, except in the very limited, instrumentalist sense of choosing appropriate foreign policy tools to achieve proposed policy objectives. The key commitments of any international relations approach in the pragmatist tradition could include a flexible approach to crafting policy ends, theory integrally related to practice, a concern for both the normative and explanatory dimensions of international relations research, and policy means treated as hypotheses for experimental testing. Following the example of classic pragmatists such as John Dewey and neopragmatists like Richard Rorty, international relations scholars and foreign policy practitioners would have to forgo grand theories, instead embracing a situationally specific approach to understanding and addressing emerging global problems. Unfortunately, commentary on the relationship between philosophical pragmatism and international relations has been limited. The authors in Philosophical Pragmatism and International Relations: Essays for a Bold New World remedy this lacuna by exploring ways in which philosophical pragmatism, both classic and contemporary, can inform international relations theory and foreign policy practice today. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 On Pragmatism and International Relations / Eric Thomas Weber Weber, Eric Thomas 25

2 Getting Beyond International Relations Theory / Loren Goldman Goldman, Loren 51

3 Pragmatism, Militarism, and Political Unity / John Kaag Kaag, John 71

4 Pragmatism, Peacekeeping, and the Constabulary Force / Patricia M. Shields Shields, Patricia M., Joseph Soeters Soeters, Joseph 87

5 Justice and Global Communities of Inquiry / Phillip Deen Deen, Phillip 111

6 Science, Values, and Democracy in the Global Climate Change Debate / Matthew J. Brown Brown, Matthew J. 127

7 Obama's Pragmatism in International Relations: Appropriate or Appropriation? / Brian E. Butler Butler, Brian E. 159

8 Presidential Rhetoric and Pragmatism's Possibilities / Shane J. Ralston Ralston, Shane J. 177.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780739168257

0739168258

9780739183779

073918377X

OCLC:

828884598