Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- PART ONE
- PART TWO
- CHAPTER THREE Normative issues in international relations: the domain of discourse and the method of argument
- CHAPTER FOUR Towards the construction of a normative theory of international relations
- CHAPTER FIVE Reconciling rights and sovereignty: the constitutive theory of individuality
- CHAPTER SIX The justification of unconventional violence in international relations: a hard case for normative theory
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index
CHAPTER THREE - Normative issues in international relations: the domain of discourse and the method of argument
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 March 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- PART ONE
- PART TWO
- CHAPTER THREE Normative issues in international relations: the domain of discourse and the method of argument
- CHAPTER FOUR Towards the construction of a normative theory of international relations
- CHAPTER FIVE Reconciling rights and sovereignty: the constitutive theory of individuality
- CHAPTER SIX The justification of unconventional violence in international relations: a hard case for normative theory
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
In the previous two chapters I sought to clear the way for substantive normative theory in international relations. I sought to do so by showing that the reasons often advanced (or assumed) for avoiding substantive normative theorizing within the discipline of international relations are not sound. Indeed, in the course of the discussion it became apparent that scholars in the discipline cannot but become involved in issues of a normative nature. Having completed this preliminary stage of the argument let us now begin with the more positive task of constructing a substantive normative theory.
A first step will be to identify some of the pressing normative issues facing actors and theorists in the sphere of international affairs. This immediately raises the question of how best to settle these issues. Finally we shall have to face the general question: “What is to count as a satisfactory normative theory?” I shall tackle these problems by arguing that the very statement of the list of difficult issues implicitly indicates the existence of an area of agreement between people – a domain of discourse – which gives us a basis from which we might construct an argument towards a substantive normative theory. I shall introduce and use, for this purpose, a method of argument first used in the context of jurisprudence.
But before going on to attempt the construction of such an argument we must first consider two objections to my contention that there actually is an area of agreement (domain of discourse) in international relations on the basis of which the difficult cases can be settled.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Towards a Normative Theory of International RelationsA Critical Analysis of the Philosophical and Methodological Assumptions in the Discipline with Proposals Towards a Substantive Normative Theory, pp. 81 - 119Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1986