The technocratic international experts and the making of a world from nowhere Jan Eijking

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Eijking, Jan, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Capitalism--History--19th century.

Capitalism.

Capitalism--History--20th century.

Specialists--History--19th century.

Specialists.

Specialists--History--20th century.

Technocracy--History--19th century.

Technocracy.

Technocracy--History--20th century.

Technology--History--19th century.

Technology.

Technology--History--20th century.

Capitalism--History.

Technocracy--History.

Technology--History.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Oxford University Press, 2026.

Oxford Oxford University Press [2026]

Summary:

Most international organisations today, from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to the World Health Organisation, present themselves as technical institutions separate from political concerns. And yet they are frequently accused, whether by the public or by governments, of hiding behind this technocratic veil only to privilege a few rich and powerful nations. Experts appear as guardians of stability and protectors of an unequal status quo. Scholars of International Relations (IR) and international law have illuminated the production and contestation of expertise. But its historical emergence and distinctiveness remain under-explored. 'The Technocratic International' historically examines and comprehensively theorises the role of experts in the institutionalisation of modern international order. How exactly did technical expertise come to be a central tenet to the work of international organisations?

Contents:

Cover

Title page

Copyright page

Dedication page

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1 Domains and differentiators

1. Domains

2. Differentiators

3. Contested authority after 1789

Part I Imagining the International

2 The world reformers: The international thought of Bentham and Mill

1. Impartiality and reform in Bentham

2. Impartiality and reform in J. S. Mill

3. Conclusion

3 The spiritual technocrats: The international thought of Saint-Simon and Chevalier

1. Impartiality and reform in Saint-Simon

2. Impartiality and reform in Chevalier

3. Conclusion

Part II Performing the International

4 The fair-holders: The first World's Fairs, 1851-1855

1. Performing a world from nowhere

2. Commissioners as differentiators

Part III Building the International

5 The canal-diggers: The Suez Canal, 1834-1869

1. Saint-Simonians in Suez

2. Manufacturing legitimacy

3. Afterlives of 'ascertained facts'

4. Anti-expert backlash

5. Conclusion

6 The cable-layers: The International Telegraph Conference, 1865

1. Cables before internationality

2. A domain in self-denial

3. The Special Commission

4. Conclusion

Conclusion

Bibliography

Notes

Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index

Description based on online resource and publisher information; title from PDF title page (viewed on March 23, 2026)

Other Format:

Print version :

ISBN:

9780198990895

0198990898

9780198990871

0198990871

019899088X

9780198990888

OCLC:

1581155849

Publisher Number:

CIPO000385289

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license