Political Theory and International Relations [Paperback]

Charles R. Beitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0691009155 | ISBN-13: 978-0691009155 | Edition: Revised

In this revised edition of his 1979 classic Political Theory and International Relations, Charles Beitz rejects two highly influential conceptions of international theory as empirically inaccurate and theoretically misleading. In one, international relations is a Hobbesian state of nature in which moral judgments are entirely inappropriate, and in the other, states are analogous to persons in domestic society in having rights of autonomy that insulate them from external moral assessment and political interference. Beitz postulates that a theory of international politics should include a revised principle of state autonomy based on the justice of a state's domestic institutions, and a principle of international distributive justice to establish a fair division of resources and wealth among persons situated in diverse national societies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[Beitz] has succeeded in clarifying the agenda of moral debate concerning the relations of states and of their inhabitants. -- Terry Nardin, American Political Science Review



Political Theory and International Relations is a fine piece of philosophical criticism and reconstruction that few established philosophers could have written.... This is a first-rate book on an issue as fundamental as it is neglected. -- Henry Shue, Ethics



This important book deals a deadly blow to the facile assumptions that support the widespread belief that moral judgment is fundamentally inapplicable or inappropriate in matters of foreign policy and international relations. -- David V. Edwards, Social Science Quarterly

About the Author

Charles R. Beitz is Professor of Government at Bowdoin College. His other books include Political Equality: An Essay in Democratic Theory and International Ethics: A Philosophy and Public Affairs Reader, which he coedited with Mitchell Cohen (both books are available from Princeton).

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press; Revised edition (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691009155
• ISBN-13: 978-0691009155
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,356 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good and bad, July 8, 2005

By 

A Reader (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Political Theory and International Relations (Paperback)

This book is now a bit out of date, but is still worth reading. It was something of a ground-breaking book when it was published (early 80's) but now seems somewhat simple compared to more sophisticated treatments of the same problems. These later books, however, largely build from Beitz, so this criticism should be taken in this light. The attack on "Realism" is the best part of the book. The attacks on nationalism and communitarianism are also worth-while though the positive theory offered in their place is clearly under-theorized and not, I think, satisfactory in the end. The worst part of the book is the attempt to "globalize" Rawls in a way that clearly doesn't work and shows a pretty serious (though very common) misunderstanding of what Rawls is up to. Finally, the almost total lack of discussion of problems relating to democracy, self-determination, and legitimacy is pretty surprising and a serious short-comming. It's worth reading the book (it's an enjoyable read) but the short-commings should be kept in mind.

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!!!!!!, October 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Political Theory and International Relations (Paperback)

Actually Beitz isn't a communitarian (Walzer is); he's a cosmopolitan. He argues against communitarians (he calls them "morality of states" theorists). But anyway I agree with the first reviewer--this book is great!! Beitz presents an airtight argument, adressing counter arguments on all levels. Although I don't entirely agree with Beitz, his argument is compelling--read this book with Walzer to contrast the perspectives.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic reference, October 11, 2005

By 

Cheung Ching Wan "C W Cheung" (HK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Political Theory and International Relations (Paperback)

The content is not easy to read, but it provides the comprehensive assessment on different views towards international relations.