Subjective Approach to International Relations

Bertrand Badie is Professor of Political Science at Sciences Po, Paris.

• PrefaceIntroductionChapter 1. The return of geopolitics: a nostalgic illusion or a recurrent error?The foundational times of geopoliticsIs geopolitics outdated?Geographic renewalChapter 2.   The two international scenes and their multiple meaningsA short subjective history of the international arenaThe semantic ambiguity of the international system: the perpetual conflict of meaningThe two systems: the system in theory and the system in practiceChapter 3.   Four questions that have become fundamentalThe identity of the actor is no longer a simple questionThinking about the ‘Other’The construction of the contextWhat fusion of horizons?Chapter 4. Rethinking the international agendaThe unavoidable battle for recognitionThe confusion of contextsDiplomacy has many meaningsThe semantic clash of powersA tentative conclusion: the looming battles for meaningNotes

"Bertrand Badie is one of France’s leading authorities on international relations. In this short but incisive book he shows that, while material trends matter, they are always subject to battles over meaning. His subtlety and effortless interdisciplinarity make his account valuable for students and scholars alike."Christopher Hill, University of Cambridge"Badie offers a radical and compelling challenge to realists and constructivists alike. He makes the case that serious attention to the values and practices of different actors  can promote a more useful understanding of the fragility of international society and its ordering. International relations should be not a science of power or a study of constitution but, rather, a hermeneutic sociology of relationships."Ned Lebow, Dartmouth College