Writing an essay about Andrew Linklater’s „The Transformation of Political Community“ is, in light of the pre-eminent praise it received in the academic sphere, a distinct challenge. Is it actually possible to make critical statements about a book, which others have called “one of the most important books in international theory published in this decade”, or even “the most impressive work of international theory to have been produced in Britain since Bull’s Anarchical Society”? The mere quantity of laud is as impressive as its quality. One easily tends to follow this blandishment, and ignores that it is not more than base flattery.
Beyond doubt, Linklater has produced a sound book, which has – after his preliminary publications “The Problem of Community in International Relations” in 1990 and “The Question of the Next Stage in International Relations: A Critical-Theoretical Point of View” in 1992 – made him one of the strongest voices in contemporary international relations theory. I hypothesize that “The Transformation of Political Community” has already today, only nine years after its first publication, become a classic of international relations.
What defines a classic? Two factors are decisive, and they are the same for a classic in international relations than they are for a classic car: It is cherished by people, and it has a unique selling point, something that differs from everything that has been produced before. Using this definition, an Aston Martin DB 5 is a classic as well as Kenneth Waltz’s “Man, the State, and War”. A classic, as complete and coherent it might be, is not necessarily without problems. Several times, Aston Martin went bankrupt (and was reborn again), and for Waltz’s neorealism the sudden and peaceful collapse of the Soviet Union meant the end of its universal validity.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The post-westphalian political community
2. The need to draw a distinction
3. The test of applicability
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Thematic Focus
This essay aims to evaluate Andrew Linklater's work "The Transformation of Political Community" by examining its contribution to international relations theory and testing the practical applicability of his proposed post-Westphalian political community. The research seeks to determine whether Linklater's theoretical framework, despite its academic acclaim, offers a viable model for addressing real-world international political challenges or if it remains purely utopian.
- Analysis of Linklater's post-Westphalian political community and its defining characteristics.
- Examination of Linklater's theoretical contribution in the context of existing international relations literature.
- Critical assessment of the applicability of "cosmopolitan citizenship" and post-Westphalian structures.
- Discussion of the role of the European Union as a potential model for post-Westphalian arrangements.
- Critical review of scholarly responses, including realist perspectives on the feasibility of Linklater’s vision.
Excerpt from the Book
1. The post-westphalian political community
The basis for Linklater’s elaboration is his rejection of the recent interstate order and the units that define it, i. e. nation states. He claims that globalization and social fragmentation offer the opportunity to build a “universal communication community”, in which dialogue and consent replace domination and force.
Todays’s communities are considered as systems of inclusion and exclusion. Two groups are affected by exclusion: Aliens that do not live within a territory of a state, and subaltern groups within the state, such as criminals and insane people. Linklater states: “The problematic aspects of the social bonds which unite and separate, associate and disassociate, are its principal concern.” Those bonds are the characteristic of an imperfect state, and cause “moral deficits” between the members of a society. Examples for these deficits are the oppression of minorities, the disrespect of cultural differences and, in more general terms, the occupation of social resources by dominant groups.
Therefore, the purpose of the book is “to reaffirm the cosmopolitan critique of the sovereign states-system and to defend the widening of the moral boundaries of political communities.” Linklater believes that communities are constantly being remade, and he uses sociological as well as constructivist arguments to show that present structures are not natural, “but have a history and are likely to be succeeded by different arrangements in the future.” Those arrangements he calls the post-westphalian political community.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides the context for Linklater's work, acknowledging its status as a significant classic in international relations theory while identifying the primary research question regarding its applicability.
1. The post-westphalian political community: Outlines Linklater's central argument regarding the need to move beyond nation-states toward a universal communication community based on dialogue and moral inclusion.
2. The need to draw a distinction: Analyzes the originality of Linklater's approach by situating his ideas within the pool of existing thought from thinkers like Kant, Marx, and Habermas, and addressing critical feedback.
3. The test of applicability: Evaluates the practical relevance of Linklater's theory, specifically by challenging his use of the European Union as a viable example of a post-Westphalian entity.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, concluding that while Linklater's work is a valuable theoretical contribution, it lacks the necessary practical applicability to address contemporary global issues.
Keywords
Andrew Linklater, post-Westphalian political community, international relations theory, cosmopolitanism, nation-states, European Union, globalization, critical theory, political community, moral boundaries, sovereignty, political exclusion, neo-realism, citizenship, social fragmentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this essay?
This essay provides a critical analysis of Andrew Linklater’s 1998 book, "The Transformation of Political Community," examining its theoretical originality and its potential for practical application in international relations.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The essay explores concepts of political community, the shift from nation-state sovereignty to post-Westphalian arrangements, the ethics of inclusion and exclusion, and the tension between normative theory and real-world applicability.
What is the main research question of the paper?
The research question asks whether Linklater’s concept of a post-Westphalian political community constitutes an applicable contribution to the field of international relations theory.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The author conducts qualitative research primarily through a comprehensive literature review, drawing on the book as a primary source and utilizing various book reviews and secondary literature to capture the academic discourse surrounding Linklater's theories.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body breaks down the theory into its core characteristics, compares it with existing theoretical frameworks, and tests its real-world validity by scrutinizing the European Union as a case study.
Which keywords define this analysis?
Key terms include post-Westphalian political community, cosmopolitan citizenship, international relations theory, state sovereignty, and critical theory.
How does the author view the European Union in this context?
The author questions Linklater's use of the EU as a model, arguing that the EU relies on its own systems of exclusion and homogeneity, which contradicts the broader, more universal ambitions of a true post-Westphalian order.
Why does the author classify the work as a "classic" but "non-applicable"?
The author acknowledges the profound influence and novelty of Linklater's ideas on the academic discipline, but ultimately concludes that the theory remains too abstract to serve as a practical blueprint for global governance.
- Quote paper
- Daniel Neugebauer (Author), 2007, Between Vision and Fantasy - Essay on Andrew Linklater's "The Transformation of Political Community", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/73271
