The Realist Tradition in International Relations: The Foundations of Western Order (PSI, 2011)
In August 2011, Praeger Security International (PSI) published my four-volume series on the philosophy of war and state, and the convergence of political, strategic and IR theory around the nexus of constructive realism -- the millennial effort by theorists across history to render chaos to order with the stroke of a pen.
The Realist Tradition in International Relations: The Foundations of Western Order is comprised of four volumes, each focusing upon a distinct period. Volume 1, State of Hope, looks at the classical era when chaos reigned supreme. Volume 2, State of Fear, goes through the early-modern period and the emergence of the modern state. Volume 3, State of Awe, explores the age of total war with its unprecedented dangers. Volume 4, State of Siege, examines the present era of insurgency and asymmetrical conflict.
A truly monumental work, this sweeping study will surely foster a new appreciation of the rich tapestry of realist thought and its continuing relevance to the study of world politics.
Contents of Volume 3: State of Awe: Order in the Age of Total War
Foreword: Between Fear and Hope ix
Introduction: Reimagining Realism: History's Roadmap from Theory to Action xiii
Set Introduction: Realism: A Retrospective xvii
Preface: The World after Hiroshima: Nuclear Destruction or Reconstruction? xxxi
1 From Total to Absolute War: Bernard Brodie's Clausewitzian Response to the Absolute Weapon 1
2 Doomsday Man: Herman Kahn's Jominian Response -- Thinking About the Unthinkable 39
3 Alternatives to Fear: Challenges to the Nuclear Order 73
4 From Nuclear Reality to Neorealism: Kenneth Waltz and the Wizards of Automation 117
5 Reconsidering the Problem of Order 169
6 Bipolar Disorder: From the Chaos of Collapse to a New Era of Complexity 207
Timeline 271
Notes 277
Bibliography 311
Index 317
Volume 4:
Foreword: Between Fear and Hope ix
Joel M. Ostrow
Introduction: Reimagining Realism: History's Roadmap from Theory to Action xiii
Ambassador David T. Killion
Set Introduction: Realism: A Retrospective xvii
1 Order in the Age of People's War: Historical and Philosophical Foundations 1
2 Order in the Age of Insurgency: From Sun Tzu to Mao 45
3 Order in the Age of People-Power: From Mahatma Gandhi to Gene Sharp 105
4 Order in the Age of Jihad: From Osama to Obama 177
5 Concluding Thoughts: Restoring Order in an Age of Global Insurgency 217
Timeline 245
Notes 251
Bibliography 281
Index 289
The Realist Tradition in International Relations: The Foundations of Western Order is comprised of four volumes, each focusing upon a distinct period. Volume 1, State of Hope, looks at the classical era when chaos reigned supreme. Volume 2, State of Fear, goes through the early-modern period and the emergence of the modern state. Volume 3, State of Awe, explores the age of total war with its unprecedented dangers. Volume 4, State of Siege, examines the present era of insurgency and asymmetrical conflict.
A truly monumental work, this sweeping study will surely foster a new appreciation of the rich tapestry of realist thought and its continuing relevance to the study of world politics.
Contents of Volume 3: State of Awe: Order in the Age of Total War
Foreword: Between Fear and Hope ix
Introduction: Reimagining Realism: History's Roadmap from Theory to Action xiii
Set Introduction: Realism: A Retrospective xvii
Preface: The World after Hiroshima: Nuclear Destruction or Reconstruction? xxxi
1 From Total to Absolute War: Bernard Brodie's Clausewitzian Response to the Absolute Weapon 1
2 Doomsday Man: Herman Kahn's Jominian Response -- Thinking About the Unthinkable 39
3 Alternatives to Fear: Challenges to the Nuclear Order 73
4 From Nuclear Reality to Neorealism: Kenneth Waltz and the Wizards of Automation 117
5 Reconsidering the Problem of Order 169
6 Bipolar Disorder: From the Chaos of Collapse to a New Era of Complexity 207
Timeline 271
Notes 277
Bibliography 311
Index 317
Volume 4:
Foreword: Between Fear and Hope ix
Joel M. Ostrow
Introduction: Reimagining Realism: History's Roadmap from Theory to Action xiii
Ambassador David T. Killion
Set Introduction: Realism: A Retrospective xvii
1 Order in the Age of People's War: Historical and Philosophical Foundations 1
2 Order in the Age of Insurgency: From Sun Tzu to Mao 45
3 Order in the Age of People-Power: From Mahatma Gandhi to Gene Sharp 105
4 Order in the Age of Jihad: From Osama to Obama 177
5 Concluding Thoughts: Restoring Order in an Age of Global Insurgency 217
Timeline 245
Notes 251
Bibliography 281
Index 289
