The Twenty Years' Crisis 1919-1939: An Introduction to the Study of International Relations [Paperback]

E. H. Carr (Author), Michael Cox (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0333963776 | ISBN-13: 978-0333963777 | Publication Date: December 7, 2001

E. H. Carr's classic work on international relations, published in 1939, was immediately recognized by friend and foe alike as a defining work. The author was one of the most influential and controversial intellectuals of the 20th century. The issues and themes he developed continue to have relevance to modern day concerns with power and its distribution in the international system. Michael Cox's critical introduction provides the reader with background information about the author, the context for the book, and its main themes and contemporary relevance.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In Carr's 1939 title, one of the first serious studies in the area of international relations, he discusses theories of society, the nature of politics, the military, and more. This edition has been updated by Michael Cox, a professor of international politics at the University of Wales, Aberstwyth, where Carr himself was a professor decades earlier. This is more for the academic crowd.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Professor Carr has shown the entire inadequacy of Professors Zimmern and Toynbee: who will demonstrate the entire inadequacy of Professor Carr?” —Richard Crossman

“Brilliantly reasoned.” —R.W. Seton-Watson

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 291 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (December 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0333963776
• ISBN-13: 978-0333963777
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,022 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for Beginner of International Relations, January 23, 2005

By 

Li Hak Yin "gindeini" (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Twenty Years' Crisis, 1919-1939: An Introduction to the Study of International Relations (Paperback)

Honestly speaking, Carr's book is indispensable for student of international relations (IR), especially for the beginner who has not studied IR before.

This book is written in a very clear manner by introducing basic concepts of IR such as liberalism (utopianism in the book), realism, international public opinion (morality), the nature of politics, the means of power, international law and dispute settlements.

The main point of Carr is that student of IR should not ignore the empirical studies or follow some ideal norms which have not been testified or proved. By titling the book as Twenty Years' Crisis, Carr shows the reader that the international order was dominated by the ideal utopianism (Woodrow Wilson's approach) after the First World War. Since the diplomats and scholars at that time chose to trust the ideal norms or utopianism (harmony of interests, what is good for me, is good for you too), power politics was ignored, and the ambition of Hitler was interpreted as self-determination of ethnic groups. Besides, Carr argues that international order cannot be determined by utopianism alone, without power (super-state / final arbiter), conflicts and wars continue again and again. The fail of League of Nations and the disastrous Second World War are the cases of the deficiencies of utopianism.

Carr's book is regarded as indispensable also because he introduces the concept of morality and hegemon. Carr's argues that the new international order should be maintained by hegemon who is responsible to be the final arbiter (economic or military means) of international conflicts. However, it does not mean that the hegemon can act according to its own interests and desires. Carr emphasizes that the hegemon should hold the principle of morality, humanity and equality. In other words, we should not only study power in realism, but also the means and end of power. In Carr's perspective, power is the means, peace is the end. If power is used, but peace is not the end, or even power is the end, then it will be a tragedy of international order.

It is also worth to note that some predictions of Carr are correct such as the formation of great political and economic units / actors (European Union, NAFTA, ASEAN, MERCOSUR...), the declining importance of sovereignty and the rise of superpower.

If you are interested in realism, you may read the following categories:
Hans Morgenthau's classical realism, Politics Among Nations
Kenneth Waltz's structural / defense realism, Theory of International Politics
John Mearsheimer's offensive realism, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Defence for realism and support for pluralism, August 19, 2007

By 

James Scott (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twenty Years' Crisis, 1919-1939: An Introduction to the Study of International Relations (Paperback)

This book should be considered one of the `core' readings within the sphere of international relations, essential for any student of the subject. However Carr is not necessarily the diehard realist that he is sometimes made out to be. Despite being quoted by numerous texts as part of the realism school, Carr makes clear early on in his book that while he disagrees with pluralism and does a good job defending realism, he then goes onto state that firstly, pluralist theories go on to become realist ones and secondly, that pluralist theories are a necessary and essential element. An interesting observation, from which could be drawn the conclusion that there is no 'right' school of thought, simply revolving ideas and concepts.

An insightful and interesting work, that should be required reading for anyone serious about international relations.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great look at early IR theory, January 23, 2008

By 

Lehigh History Student (Bethlehem, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Twenty Years' Crisis 1919-1939: An Introduction to the Study of International Relations (Paperback)

E. H. Carr provides an overview of international relations theory at a time when it was not a defined discipline. The real value of this book is seeing just how far sighted E. H. Carr was. The book itself is a basic overview of the tenants of international relations theory using the twenty years between the two wars as a case study. It looks primarily at the realist model but also brings in ethics and international law into his discussion. For those who are looking for an entertaining and fun read of IR Theory this is a great place to go. It has several updated introductions for the more serious scholar but Carr's work itself is a great study for those interested in IR and has a real love of it.