Overview
- Extensively explores the contribution of Oakeshott’s thought to scholarly analysis of international society
- Argues that the theory of civil association has implications for our understanding of the historical development of international relations and law
- Contends that civil association may be the ground for an analysis of issues in normative International Political Theory
Part of the book series: International Political Theory (IPoT)
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Table of contents (7 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
This book argues that Michael Oakeshott’s political philosophy contributes to current debates in normative international theory and international political theory on the historical, social, and moral dimension of international society. Davide Orsi contends that the theory of civil association may be the ground for an understanding of international society as a rule-based form of moral association constituted by customary international law. The book also considers the role of evolving practices of morality in debates on international justice. Orsi grounds this work on a study of Oakeshott’s philosophical arguments and compares the Oakeshottian perspective to recent constructivist literature in International Relations.
Reviews
“This well-written, widely researched, and mostly well-argued book traces the international implications of the political philosophy of the 20th century English thinker Michael Oakeshott, in particular his distinction between two ideal types of association—civil or moral versus instrumental, or ‘enterprise.’ … Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.” (W. J. Coats, Choice, Vol. 54 (9), May, 2017)
Translated from Italian:
“Orsi’s book offers a rich and articulated vision of Oakeshott’s political philosophy and its philosophical fundaments – starting from idealism to Hobbes and Montaigne – combined with the recent debate on the nature and handling of international relations. The book’s mix of concrete arguments and theoretical groundwork enables readers to fully grasp the originality of Oakenshott’s thought along with its present-day value.” (Paola Mastrantonio, Bollettino della Società Filosofica Italiana,(221), May-August 2017)“Oakeshott held that the most important question of civil order is not its constitutional shape but rather its character and purpose. This question is also important for international order, as Davide Orsi shows in this well-crafted study. Reading Oakeshott’s theory of civil association in relation to English School theories of international relations, Orsi persuasively locates the normative foundations of international order in the practices of international society.” (Professor Terry Nardin, Yale-NUS College, Singapore)
“Dr Orsi has added a new and important dimension to international political theory by engaging in a systematic analysis of the implications of Michael Oakeshott’s thought for our understanding of international relations, and the alternative theories that currently hold centre stage, such as constructivism.” (Professor David Boucher, Cardiff University, UK)
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Davide Orsi holds a PhD in Politics and International Relations from Cardiff University, UK. Previously, he studied at Fondazione Collegio San Carlo in Modena and at the University of Bologna. His research interests cover international political theory, legal theory, international relations theory and the history of political thought. He has published work in journals including the Journal of International Political Theory, Collingwood and British Idealism Studies, the European Legacy, and the British Journal for the History of Philosophy.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Michael Oakeshott's Political Philosophy of International Relations
Book Subtitle: Civil Association and International Society
Authors: Davide Orsi
Series Title: International Political Theory
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-38785-7
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham
eBook Packages: Political Science and International Studies, Political Science and International Studies (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2016
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-38784-0Published: 13 October 2016
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-81746-0Published: 16 June 2018
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-38785-7Published: 04 October 2016
Series ISSN: 2662-6039
Series E-ISSN: 2662-6047
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XI, 172
Topics: Political Theory, Political Philosophy, Diplomacy