The social contract tradition and international relations
This thesis is a study of the normative views of international relations proposed by philosophers in the social contract tradition of political theory. I have concentrated on the theories of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant and Rawls. Part one of the thesis provides the theoretical background to the practical issues of international relations discussed in part two. In chapter one I summarise the main points in their political theories which are necessary for a full understanding of their views of international relations. Chapter two is concerned with general approaches to international relations - internationalism, cosmopolitanism and international moral scepticism. Throughout part two, I use the internationalist/cosmopolitan distinction in order to evaluate the international norms proposed by the contract theorists. Part two is concerned with practical problems of international relations. Chapter three concentrates on issues of war and peace. Many of the contract theorists propose internationalist just war theories, but I show that such principles do not necessarily conflict with a cosmopolitan conception of morality. Inter-state government is discussed in chapter four. I ask whether such an institution is the
Chadwick, Stephen
Philosophy
The social contract tradition and international relations. This thesis is a study of the normative views of international relations proposed by philosophers in the social contract tradition of political theory. I have concentrated on the theories of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant and Rawls. Part one of the thesis provides the theoretical background to the practical issues of international relations discussed in part two. In chapter one I summarise the main points in their political theories which are necessary for a full understanding of their views of international relations. Chapter two is concerned with general approaches to international relations - internationalism, cosmopolitanism and international moral scepticism. Throughout part two, I use the internationalist/cosmopolitan distinction in order to evaluate the international norms proposed by the contract theorists. Part two is concerned with practical problems of international relations. Chapter three concentrates on issues of war and peace. Many of the contract theorists propose internationalist just war theories, but I show that such principles do not necessarily conflict with a cosmopolitan conception of morality. Inter-state government is discussed in chapter four. I ask whether such an institution is the
social contract tradition international_relations study normative view international_relation propose philosopher social_contract tradition political_theory concentrated theory hobbes locke rousseau kant rawls part_one provide theoretical_background practical_issue international_relation discuss part_two summarise main_point political_theory necessary full view international_relation concerned general approach international_relation internationalism cosmopolitanism international moral scepticism throughout part_two use cosmopolitan distinction order_evaluate international norm propose contract theorist part_two concerned practical problem international_relation concentrate issue war_peace many contract theorist propose war theory show principle necessarily conflict cosmopolitan conception morality inter state government discuss ask_whether institution