Anarchy, Evolution, and Ethics in International Relations
Journal
Political Science Quarterly
ISSN
1538-165X
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2024-10-15
Author(s)
Abstract
Challenging the Realist claim that international anarchy produces an amoral sphere of political action, Brian C. Rathbun argues that anarchy has selected for individuals with a particular moral sense. Flipping Realist arguments around, he claims that individuals would have never survived the hardships of anarchy if they were completely amoral. Rather, morality is a precondition for survival in anarchy. But unlike Constructivists, who maintain that socially constructed norms over time have civilized international politics, Rathbun claims that a morality is part of our human nature, and thus, a material feature of the world. To substantiate his claims, Rathbun adeptly applies insights from multiple disciplines, marshalling empirical evidence generated through a variety of natural and social scientific methods.
Language
English (United States)
Keywords
international relations
anarchy
morality
human nature
materialism
constructivism
ethics
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject(s)
Division(s)
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
open.access
Name
Anarchy, Evolution, and Ethics in International Relations.pdf
Size
309.92 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
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