The Problem of Harm in World Politics
Theoretical Investigations

An original attempt to make the study of violent and non-violent harm central to sociology and international relations.

Andrew Linklater (Author)

9781107004436, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 February 2011

320 pages
23.4 x 15.8 x 1.8 cm, 0.62 kg

'There are few books that both change our field of vision and open up a new and far-reaching research agenda. This is one of them. Linklater here engages in a sustained reflection of the core theoretical issues surrounding the problem of harm in world politics.' Andrew Hurrell, Ethics and International Affairs

The need to control violent and non-violent harm has been central to human existence since societies first emerged. This book analyses the problem of harm in world politics which stems from the fact that societies require the power to harm in order to defend themselves from internal and external threats, but must also control the capacity to harm so that people cannot kill, injure, humiliate or exploit others as they please. Andrew Linklater analyses writings in moral and legal philosophy that define and classify forms of harm, and discusses the ways in which different theories of international relations suggest the power to harm can be controlled so that societies can co-exist with the minimum of violent and non-violent harm. Linklater argues for new connections between the English School study of international society and Norbert Elias' analysis of civilizing processes in order to advance the study of harm in world politics.

Introduction
1. The concept of harm
2. The harm principle and global ethics
3. Harm and international relations theory
4. The sociology of civilizing processes
5. Historical sociology and world politics structures, norms and emotions
6. Civilizing processes and international systems
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: International relations [JPS], Political science & theory [JPA], Social & political philosophy [HPS], Social & cultural history [HBTB], History [HB]