International Relations Theory A New Introduction

1. International Relations TheoryA New Introduction Chapter 5 The International Society Tradition

2. Introduction Main origin in Europe – characterized by five key features: • Holistic conception of the international anarchical society • Refuses relevance of the so-called domestic analogy • Represents an institutional approach to the study of world politics • Split between more or less state-centric conceptions of international society; is a matter of degree rather than kind • Represents a via media perspective on international relations – an in-between theoretical tradition

3. Genealogy • International Society Tradition is also known as the English School • Emerged as a coherent tradition in the 1960s; but became explicitly recognized as a school in the 1980s • Cultivated within British/Commonwealth academic institutions • Inter-disciplinary school aimed at systematizing practical knowledge • (Diplomatic) History, (International) Law, Sociology and Philosophy are pronounced in the work of the English School Experienced a renaissance since the 1990s

4. Pluralism Emphasis on the pluralist nature of international society Thin notion of international society H. Bull, R. Jackson Solidarism Emphasis on International Society as a society of mankind Thick notion of international society J. Vincent, N. Wheeler, T. B. Knudsen, T. Dunne, T. Weiss Currents of Thought

5. Kinds of Theory • Non-explanatory kind of research • Jackson (2000), English School should be seen as political theory on international affairs  essentially a normative conception • Use of classical approach  employment of interpretative research strategies • E.H. Carr's What is History – mixture of different kinds • English School rejects the American behavioural revolution

6. Main Variants of Theory • Theory of International Society, including its fundamental institutions (Bull 1977) • Theory of Humanitarian Intervention (Wheeler 2000) • (Towards a) theory of Hegemony (Clark 2009)

7. Main Intra-Tradition Debates • R. Jackson's claim: World politics cannot be understood without exploring the normative superstructure & his employment of principles and norms • Pluralist criticism on humanitarian intervention & notion of human security • H. Bull's definition of international society  pluralists emphasis on independence, self-determination, non-intervention

8. Research Agenda • Addresses several crucial issues of the early 21st century, including • Humanitarian intervention, • European integration and governance • International organizations • Regional dynamics, e.g. The Middle East • English School has critically engaged in self-referential reflections

9. Conclusion • Key concept/claim to fame: International Society • English School characterized by pronounced tension between pluralist & solidarist conceptions of international society • In contrast to liberalism, the English School has a strongly developed agnosticism regarding progress and utilitarianism • In contrast to realism, English School stresses the international society, including its common institutions and rules