Identity, Interest and Action - A Cultural Explanation of Sweden s Intervention in Thirty Years War

Klappentext This book offers an original combination of cultural and narrative theory with an empirical study of identity and political action. It is at once a powerful critique of rational choice theories of action and a solution to the historiographical puzzle of why Sweden went to war in 1630. Erik Ringmar argues that people act not only for reasons of interest! but also for reasons of identity! and that the latter are! in fact! more fundamental. Deploying his alternative! non-rational theory of action in his account of the Swedish intervention in the Thirty Years War! he shows it to have been an attempt on behalf of the Swedish leaders to gain recognition for themselves and their country. Further to this! he demonstrates the importance of questions of identity to the study of war and of narrative theories of action to the social sciences in general. Zusammenfassung A powerful critique of rational choice theory which offers a solution to an important historiographical puzzle. Erik Ringmar's original! non-rational theory of action demonstrates the fundamental role of identity in explaining a country's involvement in war. Inhaltsverzeichnis Acknowledgements; Introduction: the beginning of the story; Part I. A Narrative Theory of Action: 1. Historical and scientific explanations; 2. The modern orthodoxy; 3. A narrative theory of action; Part II. Why Did Sweden Go to War in 1630?: 4. Historical and cultural preliminaries; 5. Fighting for a national interest; 6. Fighting for a national identity; Conclusion: the end of the story?; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: Erik Ringmar, Erik (London School of Economics and Poli Ringmar, Ringmar Erik
• Con la collaborazione di: Jeffrey C. Alexander (Editore), Steven Seidman (Editore)
• Editore: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Tascabile
• Pubblicazione: 27.03.2008
• EAN: 9780521026031
• ISBN: 978-0-521-02603-1
• Pagine: 252
• Serie: Cambridge Cultural Social Stud; Cambridge Cultural Social Studies
• Categorie: Scienze sociali, diritto, economia > Scienze politiche > Politica e sua amministrazione; Scienze umane, arte, musica > Storia; European History, HISTORY / Military / General, military history, Sweden, 17th century, c 1600 to c 1699, Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700, 16th century, c 1500 to c 1599, C 1600 To C 1700, Early modern warfare (including gunpowder warfare), War and defence operations, War & defence operations, HISTORY / Europe / Nordic Countries, HISTORY / Military / Early Modern Warfare (1500-1800)