Equality in International Society: A Reappraisal

ISBN-13: 9780230393158 / Angielski / Twarda / 2014 / 191 str.

Ronnie Hjorth

Opis

The author re-examines the concept of equality in international society, past and present. The conventional view that equality of states necessarily flows from sovereignty, that it is a corollary to sovereignty or simply a synonym, is considered a contingent rather than a necessary contention. The main argument is that equality in global international society should be theorised anew, restoring the normative strength of the principle. It is shown how concepts of equality make intelligible different normative and ethical conceptions of the modern political space in the past. Drawing on the works of such diverse theorists as Hans Kelsen, Peter Singer, John Rawls and Michael Oakeshott, the author suggests how a renewed interest in equality contributes to making international society a more inclusive, egalitarian, and credible moral and political association.

Spis treści

Preface 1. Introduction 2. Concepts, Approaches, Devices PART I: HISTORY: A BACKWARD GLANCE  3. Two Naturalist Theories 4. Hobbes and the Constructivist Theory of Equality 5. Equality and Hierarchy 6. Sovereign Equality and its Discontents Conclusions PART II. THEORY: A FRESH BEGINNING 7. Equality Without Sovereignty 8. A New Framework for Equality 9. The Limits of International Society Conclusions Bibliography

O autorze

Ronnie Hjorth is Reader of Political Science in the Swedish National Defence College, Stockholm, Sweden. He specialises in international political theory and has recently published in the Review of International Studies and Journal of International Political Theory.