The Ethics of Territorial Borders : Drawing Lines in the Shifting Sand

The Ethics of Territorial Borders develops a distinctive line of argument, drawing on political theory and geography as well as international relations. Unusually, this book argues for the ethical significance of borders themselves, pointing to their role in human diversity and the enduring appeal of territorial division. The Ethics of Territorial Borders develops a distinctive line of argument, drawing on political theory and geography as well as international relations. It argues that although borders have played a role in ethical discussions about war, about intervention and about identity in international politics, these treat them as possessing derivative significance. Instead, this book critiques such an approach to argue for the ethical significance of borders themselves, pointing to their role in human diversity and the enduring appeal of territorial division. Territorial borders are a fundamental feature of international politics. However, for most accounts in international relations, territorial borders are taken for granted as the dividing lines between zones of sovereign control. Their location on the map may be highly controversial, hotly contested and the basis for some of human history's most violent and intractable conflicts Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Lines in the shifting sands......Page 12 Borders and globalisation......Page 13 Changing interstate relations and territorial borders......Page 16 Ethics and ‘International Political Theory’......Page 19 The structure of the book......Page 21 Introduction......Page 27 Critical political geography meets international political theory......Page 30 The ontology of borders and the need for ontological choices......Page 52 Conclusion......Page 57 Introduction......Page 60 The English school, international society and territorial borders......Page 64 Order and (in)justice in anarchy and diversity......Page 70 Globalisation and the contingency of territorial borders......Page 74 Sidestepping the ethics of territorial borders......Page 88 Introduction......Page 93 Toleration, territorial borders and the burden of diversity......Page 96 A richer concept of toleration......Page 106 Conclusion......Page 123 Introduction......Page 127 Revisiting and recreating the territorial trap......Page 133 Globalisation, world society and the states-system......Page 136 Territorial borders and violence......Page 141 Conclusion......Page 144 Notes......Page 146 Bibliography......Page 172 E......Page 183 I......Page 184 O......Page 185 S......Page 186 Y......Page 187 Territorial borders are a fundamental feature of international politics. In most accounts of international relations, territorial borders are taken for granted as the dividing lines between zones of sovereign control. Their location on the map may be highly controversial and hotly contested and they are the cause of some of history's most violent and intractable conflicts. The Ethics of Territorial Borders develops a distinctive line of argument, drawing on political theory and geography as well as international relations. It argues that, although borders have played a role in ethical discussions about war and about intervention and identity in international politics, these discussions treat borders as possessing derivative significance. Instead, this book critiques such an approach to argue for the ethical significance of borders themselves, pointing to their role in human diversity and the enduring appeal of territorial division The Ethics Of Territorial Borders Develops A Distinctive Line Of Argument, Drawing On Political Theory And Geography As Well As International Relations. It Argues That, Although Borders Have Played A Role In Ethical Discussions About War And About Intervention And Identity In International Politics, These Discussions Treat Borders As Possessing Derivative Significance. Instead, This Book Critiques Such An Approach To Argue For The Ethical Significance Of Borders Themselves, Pointing To Their Role In Human Diversity And The Enduring Appeal Of Territorial Division.--jacket. 1. Introduction -- 2. From Material Facts To Social Practices -- 3. The Ethical Contingency Of Territorial Borders? -- 4. Valuing Borders (and Bordering Values)? -- 5. Shifting Lines In The Sand. John Williams. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 135-171) And Index.