Restraint in International Politics (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781108486088)

The first comprehensive examination of restraint in international politics, considered across a range of psychological, social, political, and institutional contexts as a political process, device, and strategy. Surveying how restraint has been understood in international relations and political theory, with focus given to Aristotle and Machiavelli, Steele utilises Carl Jung's theories of complexes and the libido to broaden the conceptual definition of restraint as a phenomenon that is not only individual and inward-looking, but also relational and societal. Exploring its development, uses, expressions and challenges through history and in contemporary times, this book analyses the politics of restraint in processes of security, political economy, foreign policy and global public health. Situating restraint alongside similar concepts such as moderation, containment, and constraint, Steele asks against what, and from what, are we restraining ourselves, who authorizes restraint, and what are the risks and rewards (both ethical and practical). Steele concludes with a balanced political and normative argument for restraint going forward.

Author: Brent J. Steele
ISBN-10: 1108486088
ISBN-13: 9781108486088
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 10/17/2019
Pages: 316
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.30lbs
Size: 9.20h x 6.30w x 0.80d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 07/01/2020