Peace and War: A Theory of International Relations

by Aron,Raymond

• ISBN13: 9780765805041
• ISBN10: 0765805049
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2003-04-30
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Peace and War by Raymond Aron is one of the greatest books ever written on international relations. Aron's starting point is the state of nature that exists between nations, a condition that differs essentially from the civil state that holds within political communities. Ever keeping this brute fact about the life of nations in mind and ranging widely over political history and many disciplines, Aron develops the essential analytical tools to enable us to think clearly about the stakes and possibilities of international relations.In his first section, "Theory, " Aron shows that, while international relations can be mapped, and probabilities discerned, no closed, global "science" of international relations is anything more than a mirage. In the second part, "Sociology, " Aron studies the many ways various subpolitical forces influence foreign policy. He emphasizes that no rigorous determinism is at work: politics -- and thus the need for prudent statesmanship -- are inescapable in international relations.In part three, "History, " Aron offers a magisterial survey of the twentieth century. He looks at key developments that have had an impact on foreign policy and the emergence of what he calls "universal history, " which brings far-flung peoples into regular contact for the first time. In a final section, "Praxeology, " Aron articulates a theory of international relations that rejects both the bleak vision of the Machiavellians, who hold that any means are legitimate, and the naivete of the idealists, who think foreign policy can be overcome.This new edition of Peace and War includes an informative introduction by Daniel J. Mahoney and Brian C. Anderson, situating Aron's thought in anew post-Cold War context, and evaluating his contribution to the study of politics and international relations.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Transaction Edition	xi
Preface to the American Edition	xxi
Introduction The Conceptual Levels of Comprehension	1	(20)
PART ONE THEORY
Concepts and Systems
Strategy and Diplomacy, or On the Unity of Foreign Policy	21	(26)
Power and Force, or On the Means of Foreign Policy	47	(24)
Power, Glory and Idea, or On the Goals of Foreign Policy	71	(23)
On International Systems	94	(31)
On Multipolar Systems and Bipolar Systems	125	(25)
Dialectics of Peace and War	150	(31)
PART TWO SOCIOLOGY
Determinants and Constants
Introduction	177	(4)
On Space	181	(29)
On Number	210	(33)
On Resources	243	(36)
Nations and Regimes	279	(28)
In Search of a Pattern of Change	307	(32)
The Roots of War as an Institution	339	(34)
PART THREE HISTORY
The Global System in the Thermonuclear Age
Introduction	369	(4)
Le monde fini, or The Heterogeneity of the Global System	373	(31)
On the Strategy of Deterrence	404	(37)
Les grands Freres, or Diplomacy within the Blocs	441	(35)
Stalemate in Europe, or Diplomacy between the Blocs	476	(30)
Persuasion and Subversion, or The Blocs and the Non-Aligned Nations	506	(30)
The Enemy Partners	536	(43)
PART FOUR PRAXEOLOGY
The Antinomies of Diplomatic-Strategic Conduct
Introduction	575	(4)
In Search of a Morality: I: Idealism and Realism	579	(32)
In Search of a Morality: II: Conviction and Responsibility	611	(25)
In Search of a Strategy: I: To Arm or Disarm?	636	(29)
In Search of a Strategy: II: To Survive Is to Conquer	665	(38)
Beyond Power Politics: I: Peace through Law	703	(34)
Beyond Power Politics: II: Peace through Empire	737	(30)
Final Note Rational Strategy and Reasonable Policy	767	(22)
Index	789