International Theory: To the Brink and Beyond

by Andrew P. Dunne

Overview

This pathmaking treatise on macrotheoretical science argues that a brink separates an explanatory theory of international politics from those approaches that lack basic standards for theoretical construction—a brink which must be bridged if the discipline is to develop. Formulated on the basis of a pragmatic philosophy of science, its most general arguments cross the boundaries of the social sciences, including the standard subdisciplinary boundaries of international relations. Although the substantive theories in the book tend to be about systems usually characterized as power politics, the basic approach and categories could be used to analyze systems of international political economy, international organization, or comparative politics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313300783
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/09/1996
Series:	Contributions in Political Science , #378
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.56(d)
Lexile:	1340L (what's this?)

About the Author

ANDREW P. DUNNE is Research Associate in the Program in International Politics, Economics, and Security (PIPES) at the University of Chicago. Previously, he was Lentz Postdoctoral Fellow in Global Issues, International Conflict, and Peace Research at the University of Missouri at St. Louis

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
Basic Standards in International Theory
To the Brink…
Orienting Principles
Investigative Frameworks
Anarchy
Paying the Piper: Applied Theory
…and Beyond
Macrotheory: Levels, Embedment, and Reason
Applied International Macrotheory
Basic Analytical Macrotheory
A Note on the Use of Lanchester Equations
On the Meaning of "Conditions"
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

...this book is more of a theoretical prolegomenon than a fully-fledged theory of international politics. The author provides some insightful criticisms of existing theories, even if he does have a tendency to conflate basic scientific standards and assertions which should be empirically tested.
— Political Science Quarterly

Patrick Thaddeus Jackson

The author is one of the new breed of political scientists who are well-versed in the philosophy of science. Using this background, he demonstrates the minimal requirements for a theory of international politics and shows how properly constructed theory can be developed and subjected to empirical analysis. After explaining the flaws in past attempts in theory<-->from Lasswell and Carr to Waltz and his critics<-->he shows that successful theory meets these requirements. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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