Martin Wight on Fortune and Irony in Politics

"Martin Wight was one of the most influential twentieth-century British thinkers who investigated on international politics and continues to inspire the English school of international relations. Containing a previously unpublished essay by Wight, this book brings this essay, "Fortune's Banter", to light. The importance of imponderable elements on human affairs is well understood, at least since the dawn of Western culture. The reversals and incongruities of life are common events. Fortune and irony are categories of practical understanding, but they also describe the most ancient and fundamental experience in politics. It is this experience in which Michele Chiaruzzi examines Martin Wight's seminal philosophy. Martin Wight on Fortune and Irony in Politics provides awareness of imponderable factors in politics that tends to mitigate their role and is an antidote to political dogmatism"-- Provided by publisher Front Matter....Pages i-xviii Introduction....Pages 1-5 Wight’s Intent: Text, Context, and Method....Pages 7-14 The Wind of Politics: Disputing Determinism....Pages 15-25 A Polemical Reflex....Pages 27-33 The Essence of Political Realism: Tragedy or Irony?....Pages 35-41 Fortune and Irony as Experiential Acquisitions....Pages 43-52 The Causal and Moral Complexity of Politics....Pages 53-62 Velle Non Discitur? The Impact of Will in Politics....Pages 63-73 Epilogue....Pages 75-78 Fortune’s Banter....Pages 79-113 Back Matter....Pages 115-184