Scientific Cosmology and International Orders (Cambridge Studies in International Relations, Series Number 147)

Scientific Cosmology and International Orders shows how scientific ideas have transformed international politics since 1550. Allan argues that cosmological concepts arising from Western science made possible the shift from a sixteenth century order premised upon divine providence to the present order centred on economic growth. As states and other international associations used scientific ideas to solve problems, they slowly reconfigured ideas about how the world works, humanity's place in the universe, and the meaning of progress. The book demonstrates the rise of scientific ideas across three cases: natural philosophy in balance of power politics, 1550-1815; geology and Darwinism in British colonial policy and international colonial orders, 1860-1950; and cybernetic-systems thinking and economics in the World Bank and American liberal order, 1945-2015. Together, the cases trace the emergence of economic growth as a central end of states from its origins in colonial doctrines of development and balance of power thinking about improvement. Cover -- Half title -- Series information -- Title page -- Copyright information -- Dedication -- Table of contents -- List of figures -- List of tables -- Acknowledgements -- 1 Introduction: Science and the Transformation of International Politics -- Changes in State Purpose -- Explaining Change in International Order -- Mechanisms and Processes of Change -- Linking Micro, Meso, and Macro -- The Cosmological Basis of State Purposes -- My Theoretical Approach -- Rethinking Science in International Relations -- The Argument: From Means to Ends -- The Plan of the Book -- 2 Cosmology and Change in International Orders -- Explaining International Change -- The Cosmological Elements of International Order -- Micro: The Discursive Contexts of International Order -- From the Micro- to the Meso- and Macro-Levels -- Meso: Associational Change and the Emergence of New Purposes -- The Conditions for Stable Associational Change -- Macro: The Recursive Institutionalization of International Order -- Pathways of Recursive Institutionalization -- Scientific Cosmology and Change in International Order -- Cosmological Shifts in Modern European Science -- Scientific Ideas and the Conditions for International Change -- Demonstrating the Argument: Research Design, Methods, and Alternative Explanations -- Conclusion -- 3 Natural Philosophy in Balance of Power Europe, 1550-1815 -- Introduction -- Cosmology and European Political Discourses, 1550 -- English and French Discourses, circa 1550 -- Religious and Aristocratic Discourses in European Order, circa 1550 -- The Cosmological Shift in Natural Philosophy, 1550-1700 -- Strategic Deployment: Aristocratic Brokers and Natural Philosophy, 1600-1700 -- Discursive Reconfigurations: Cosmology and the Balance, 1600-1800 -- The Rise of Interests, 1630-1713 -- European Discourse in the Treaty of Utrecht, 1713 Introduction : Science And The Transformation Of International Politics -- Cosmology And Change In International Orders -- Natural Philosophy In Balance Of Power Europe, 1550-1815 -- Darwin, Social Knowledge, And Development In The British Colonial Office And The League Of Nations, 1850-1945 -- Neoclassical Economics And The Growth Imperative In The World Bank And Postwar International Order, 1945-2000 -- Conclusion : The Future Of Cosmological Change. Bentley Allan. Includes Bibliographical References (pags 294-330) And Index.