European Approaches to International Relations Theory

Jörg Friedrichs is a Research Associate at the International University Bremen, Germany, and is currently coordinating a research project on the internationalisation of the state monopoly over the legitimate use of force.

"In this engaging and thought-provoking book, Jörg Friedrichs makes a plea for the development of a ‘Eurodiscipline’ of International Relations (IR). In Friedrichs’ view, such a ‘Eurodiscipline’ would be an effective way of counterbalancing American hegemony in IR and developing a much more pluralistic and self-reflexive approach. …The discussion of the American hegemony in IR, as well as the French, Italian and Nordic strategies, is a delight to read – informed and informative, persuasive and with an eye for the broader connections between IR and developments in other disciplines. Indeed, this part of the book should become standard reading for anyone studying IR,supplemented by studies of the development of IR in other national contexts, including those outside Western Europe."Thomas Diez, Millennium, Volume 35.2, pp456-459

• Preface 1. International Relations: Still an American social science? Part 1: Developmental Pathways 2. International Relations Theory in France: Three generations of Parisian intellectual pride 3. International Relations Theory in Italy: Between academic parochialism and intellectual adjustment 4. International Relations Theory in the Nordic Countries: From fragmentation to multi-level research cooperation Part 2: Triangular Reasoning 5. Third Way or Via Media? The international society approach of the English school 6. Middle Ground or Halfway House? Social constructivism and the theory of European integration Part 3: Theoretical Reconstruction 7. The Meaning of New Medievalism: An exercise in theoretical reconstruction Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index