Liberal Internationalism and the Decline of the State

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

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2. Introduction

   • Per A. Hammarlund

   Pages 1-10

3. Brief Biographies

   • Per A. Hammarlund

   Pages 11-25

4. The Decline of the State: The Empirical Claim

   • Per A. Hammarlund

   Pages 27-52

5. The Obsolete International System

   • Per A. Hammarlund

   Pages 53-83

6. Prescribing the Decline of the State

   • Per A. Hammarlund

   Pages 85-113

7. The Case Against the Nation-State System

   • Per A. Hammarlund

   Pages 115-139

8. The Predictive Element

   • Per A. Hammarlund

   Pages 141-169

9. Conclusion

   • Per A. Hammarlund

   Pages 171-180

10. Back Matter

    Pages 181-226

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This book provides a critical analysis of the liberal ideas of the decline of the state through a historical comparison. It takes special note of the implications of state failure to control economic growth and market exigencies for international relations. The book is divided into three sections. The first analyzes Cobden, Mitrany, and Ohmae's empirical claims, the second looks at their normative judgements and the third looks at their predictive assertions. It concludes that the three primarily propose normative arguments for less state involvement in economic and international relations but conceal them in empirical and predictive assertions. The liberal idea of the decline of the state is more of an ideological statement in response to political, social, and economic trends than an objective observation of an empirically verifiable fact.

• biography
• economic growth
• growth
• international relations
• nationalism
• state

"This is a penetrating account of liberal views about the decline of the state, which is essential reading for contemporary students of globalization as well as for those interested in the development of the international system. The main theme - vigorously and clearly developed - is the way in which the state has adapted to changes in the international system and to changes in its economic and social environment. It is a lucid warning to those who conclude that globalization signifies its end."

- Paul Taylor, London School of Economics and Political Science

PER HAMMARLUND received his PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK.

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