Nuanced meditations on the nature of world politics in the post -
Cold War era. For a generation now, Hoffmann (Harvard), a regular
contributor to the New York Review of Books, has been one of this
country's most respected students of foreign relations. This
collection of essays written over the past decade clearly shows
why; his analyses are unfailingly insightful and compassionate,
attributes often missing in the discipline of political science.
Overall, Hoffmann has two concerns here: to examine the state of
current international relations, to critique the methods and
approaches used to understand these relations. We live, Hoffmann
notes, "in a world of great originality, complexity, and
uncertainty." It remains a world of sovereign states, but these
states are buffeted by forces often beyond their control. The
increasing globalization and privatization of economics both
creates international interdependence and further polarizes the
"have" and "have not" nations. Ethnic and religious conflicts tear
at national cohesions, as does the rise of intense nationalist and
separatist aspirations. Older tools of understanding the world no
longer suffice, The "realist" approach that sees only competing,
absolutely self-interested states captures neither the current
reality of cooperation, at times, among states nor the weakness of
the state in many instances. The "liberal" approach, which assumed
a more peaceful world would evolve through, among other things, the
spread of markets, has ignored the harm the world market has done.
Hoffmann's own approach to international relations is itself
liberal yet - embracing Kant, Rawls, and others - is focused on
ethical and normative considerations. Individuals have the right to
autonomy and integrity, and states have the duty to insure this
right. While this might seem merely a simplistic adage, Hoffmann
deliberates carefully on what such an ethos means and how it might
be applied to understanding and judging myriad world situations and
problems, from immigration to armed intervention in the affairs of
another state. Sophisticated and provocative, Hoffmann's writing
gives the reader much to consider. (Kirkus Reviews)
(ACADEMIC PAPERBACK DESCRIPTION) Long one of the fieldOs most
distinguished thinkers, Hoffmann brings together in this volume his
important recent work on international politics. Many published
here for the first time, these essays offer incisive reflections
upon the reemergence of nationalism and ethnic conflicts in Europe,
the redefined role of military intervention, and other
uncertainties brought on by the demise of the Cold War. New to this
edition is a current analysis of the Kosovo conflict. Woven
throughout are his clear-eyed assessments of contending approaches
to the study of international relations. (LONG TRADE CLOTH) Stanley
Hoffmann has remarked that OIt wasnOt I who chose to study world
politics. World politics forced themselves upon me.O A rootless
child of World War II; Austrian, French, and later American, he has
always maintained a unique balance and perspective on global
affairs. Long one of the fieldOs most distinguished thinkers,
Hoffmann brings together in this volume his important recent work
on international politics. Many published here for the first time,
these essays offer incisive reflections upon the reemergence of
nationalism and ethnic conflicts in Europe, the redefined role of
military intervention, and other uncertainties brought on by the
demise of the Cold War. Hoffmann weighs the influence on theory and
policy of such disparate figures as John Rawls, Hedley Bull, and
George Schultz. Woven throughout are his clear-eyed assessments of
contending approaches to the study of international relations.
General
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