What moves man : the realist theory of international relations and its judgment of human nature / Annette Freyberg-Inan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Freyberg-Inan, Annette.

Series:

SUNY series in global politics

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political science.

Realism--Political aspects.

Realism.

International relations.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (273 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Albany : State University of New York Press, c2004.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The realist theory of international relations is based on a particularly gloomy set of assumptions about universal human motives. Believing people to be essentially asocial, selfish, and untrustworthy, realism counsels a politics of distrust and competition in the international arena. What Moves Man subjects realism to a broad and deep critique. Freyberg-Inan argues, first, that realist psychology is incomplete and suffers from a pessimistic bias. Second, she explains how this bias systematically undermines both realist scholarship and efforts to promote international cooperation and peace. Third, she argues that realism's bias has a tendency to function as a self-fulfilling prophecy: it nurtures and promotes the very behaviors it assumes predominate human nature. Freyberg-Inan concludes by suggesting how a broader and more complex view of human motivation would deliver more complete explanations of international behavior, reduce the risk of bias, and better promote practical progress in the conduct of international affairs.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

Introduction

What Moves Man? An Analysis of the Realist Psychology

The Roots of Realism

Realism Goes Modern

Realism Today

Realist Man through the Ages: A Synopsis

Sunglasses at Night: A Critique of the Realist Psychology

What Is Wrong with the Realist Psychology?

The Effects of the Realist Bias

A Self-Fulfilling Prophesy?

Conclusion: Great Debates and Small Suggestions

Biographical Notes on Authors of Classical Realism

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Suny series in Global Politics

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 231-255) and index.

ISBN:

9780791486351

0791486354

9781423739104

1423739108

OCLC:

62757697