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The discipline of IR has always suffered from a parochial occupation with the state and the Western system of states. This book presents a case for a basic reorientation of IR
away from the state and towards the study of social institutions in the sense of patterned practices, ideas and norms/rules. The argument is that the state is an inherently modern phenomenon, a modern social institution, and that foundational concepts in IR should be based on a full appreciation of the wider record of human existence on earth, trans-historically and cross-culturally. This book will interest scholars and students within IR (particularly IR theory), anthropology, archaeology and sociology.
List of contents
Chapter 1. - Introduction
Chapter 2. - The argument in the context of IR theory
Chapter 3. - The argument in the context of anthropology, archaeology and historical sociology
Chapter 4. – Principles of legitimacy and membership
Chapter 5. – Regulating conflicts
Chapter 6. – Trade
Chapter 7. – Governance
Chapter 8. – Conclusion
About the author
Laust Schouenborg is Associate Professor of Global Studies in the Department of Society and Globalisation at Roskilde University, Denmark. His research interests include IR theory, security studies, and world history.
Summary
This book presents a case for a basic reorientation of International Relations away from the state and towards the study of social institutions in the sense of patterned practices, ideas and norms/rules. IR has always suffered from a parochial occupation with the state and the Western system of state. Its main theories revolve around these phenomena, and have resulted in the reification of the state: it has been turned into an essential actor, with certain immutable and fundamental properties that remain constant throughout time. A list of these properties usually includes territorial limits, centralisation, monopolisation of violence and exclusive loyalties.
International Institutions in World History shows how the state is an inherently modern phenomenon, a modern social institution, and that foundational concepts in IR should be based on a full appreciation of the wider record of human existence on earth, trans-historically and cross-culturally. Schouenborg argues that these social institutions may be captured via a universal functional typology consisting of four categories: legitimacy and membership; regulating conflicts; trade; and governance.
The book will be of interest to scholars and students within IR (particularly IR theory), anthropology, archaeology and sociology, and those interested in general social theory.
