The Case for International Political Theory

Abstract

The central purpose of the political theory of international relations is the presentation of a philosophical account of the experience of living in and among a world of separate, sovereign states. This identifying objective parallels the traditional concern of orthodox political theory with the provision of a theoretical representation of the experience of living within the state. Philosophies of politics aim to uncover the meaning and rationality of political existence without perpetuating the commonplace assumptions of everyday life or introducing their own undefended presuppositions. Typically, if it confronts a form of social life whose rationality seems less than fully realised or complete, the theory of politics becomes concerned with articulating the principles of a more perfect political order. The initial case for the political theory of international relations is derived from the need to undertake certain philosophical tasks which are often omitted from the scope of orthodox, more state-centred, social and political theories.

A theory of the state must be, from one angle, a philosophy of international law. (Laski)