Historical Sociology of International Relations

by Edited by Stephen Hobden , John M. Hobson

• ISBN13: 9780521004763
• ISBN10: 0521004764
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-12-24
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

International relations theorists are increasingly turning to historical sociology as a means both of broadening and refining their discipline, and critiquing mainstream thinking. Nevertheless, there is still only a rudimentary understanding of what historical sociology is and what it can offer the subject. This book acts as a manifesto for historical sociology, considering a range of issues, including accounts of the major variants of historical sociology; how they can be applied to international relations; why international relations theorists should engage with these approaches; and how historical sociological insight can enhance and reconfigure the study of international relations. In addition to describing the seven major approaches - neo-Weberianism, constructivisim, critical historical materialism, critical theory, postmodernism, structural realism and World Systems theory - the volume's introductory and concluding chapters set out in detail an approach and research agenda that revolve around what the editors call 'world sociology'.

Table of Contents

Part I. Introduction: 1. What's at stake in 'bringing historical sociology back into international relations?' John M. Hobson

2. Historical sociology: back to the future of international relations? Stephen Hobden

Part II. Historical Sociologies of International Relations: 3. The two waves of Weberian historical sociology in international relations John M. Hobson

4. Neo-Weberian historical sociology and the question of epochal transformations Randall Collins

5. Globality and historical sociology: state, revolution and war revisited Martin Shaw

6. Historical sociology and constructivism: an estranged past, a federated future? Michael Barnett

7. The idea of history and history with ideas Christian Reus-Smit

8. World system analysis, historical sociology and international relations: the difference a hyphen makes Barry K. Gills

9. Towards a critical sociology of transnational harm Andrew Linklater

10. International systems in world history: remaking the study of international relations Barry Buzan and Richard Little

Part III. Conclusion: The Future of Historical Sociology in International Relations: 11. Historical sociology and international relations theory Steve Smith

12. For an international sociology Fred Halliday

13. On the road toward a historicised conception of international sociology John M. Hobson and Stephen Hobden.