The Logic of Internationalism: Coercion and Accommodation (New International Relations)

Internationalism is the view that institution-building and peaceful cooperation will make peace and security prevail in a system of independent states. This book examines this controversial topic and discusses whether such a view is realistic or whether international relations are typically characterised by tension and war. Kjell Goldmann seeks to examine the plausibility of internationalism under present-day conditions. A theory of internationalism is outlined and is shown to have two dimensions: one coercive (to enforce the rules and decisions of international institutions) and one accommodative (to avoid confrontation by means of mutual understanding and compromise). Problematic features of the theory are then considered in detail: the assumption that all international cooperation tends to inhibit war, and the tension inherent in the joint pursuit of coercion and accommodation. Internationalism is the view that institution-building and peaceful cooperation will make peace and security prevail in a system of independent states. This book examines this controversial topic and discusses whether such a view is realistic or whether international relations are typically characterised by tension and war. Kjell Goldmann seeks to examine the plausibility of internationalism under present-day conditions. A theory of internationalism is outlined and is shown to have two one coercive (to enforce the rules and decisions of international institutions) and one accommodative (to avoid confrontation by means of mutual understanding and compromise). Problematic features of the theory are then considered in the assumption that all international cooperation tends to inhibit war, and the tension inherent in the joint pursuit of coercion and accommodation. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 List of figures......Page 8 List of tables......Page 9 Series editor's preface......Page 10 Preface......Page 11 Introduction......Page 16 A theory of internationalism......Page 33 International opinion and world politics......Page 76 Cooperation and war......Page 133 The ethics of internationalism......Page 177 Internationalism: an assessment......Page 210 Notes......Page 225 References......Page 234 Index......Page 245 International Relations Book Cover 1 Title 4 Contents 5 List of figures 8 List of tables 9 Series editor's preface 10 Preface 11 Introduction 16 A theory of internationalism 33 International opinion and world politics 76 Cooperation and war 133 The ethics of internationalism 177 Internationalism: an assessment 210 Notes 225 References 234 Index 245 Is internationalism plausible in today's world or must global relations be characterised by tension and war? The author analyses internationalism's coercive and accommodative dimensions and considers practical problems Kjell Goldmann. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.