New Systems Theories of World Politics offers a fresh look at contemporary world politics. It uses a number of systems theoretical approaches in order to analyze the structure and dynamics of the international system. While a rich tradition of systems theorizing in International Relations emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, in recent years the study of world politics has tended to bypass developments in systems theory in favor of micro-level theories. Drawing on advances in systems theorizing in both the social and natural sciences, from agent-based modeling to quantum physics, this book explores the utility of reinvigorated systemic thought in helping us to understand the contemporary global condition. The editors argue that the system of world politics can be analyzed in a comprehensive fashion by continuing the pioneering work of theorists like Karl Deutsch.
“This outstanding collection of superb essays offers a tour horizon of a new generation of systems theory, sociologically inspired for the most part, and different from the garden varieties of the 1960s and 1980s. One of the book’s many virtues is to bring to the attention of a North American audience the important work of the German sociologist Nikolas Luhmann whose thoughts pervade several of the essays. Read against the recently ascendant rational choice research program, this collection instills confidence in the range and vitality of analytical complements and alternatives to reductionist forms of theory. Apart from informing scholars about a broad range of theoretical developments they may not have followed closely, this volume will also be an excellent teaching tool especially in graduate seminars.”
- Peter J. Katzenstein, Walter S. Carpenter, Jr. Professor of International Studies, Cornell University, USA
"This important and thought-provoking book augurs and promotes the renaissance of Systems Theory in International Relations. Consisting of a comprehensive and cohesive collection of chapters by some of today’s leading international-systems theorists, this book’s most important contribution is replacing classic systems theory with a novel form of systems theorizing. The latter builds on social complexity and non-equilibrium dynamics; relational, communication, and semantic analyses; institutional and cultural macro historical-sociological standpoints; and quantum physics-based systems theorizing. Pushing the theoretical frontier forward, and suggesting a new theoretical agenda for teaching systems theory, this book is essential reading for International Relations theorists across paradigmatic divides."
- Emanuel Adler, Andrea and Charles Bronfman Chair of Israeli Studies, University of Toronto, Canada
"This volume brings together many of the major non-individualist forms of theorizing - including agent-based and equation-based modeling, complexity theory, Luhmannian systems analysis, and relationalism - in one place, providing ample conceptual resources for scholars seeking to explore the vistas opened up when we lift our eyes from the micro level."
- Patrick Thaddeus Jackson, Associate Professor of International Relations, School of International Service at the American University, USA
PART I: CONCEPTUAL OVERVIEW
Introduction: Systems Theorizing in IR; M.Albert & L-E.Cederman
Systems Theory beyond Explaining and Understanding; O.Kessler & F.Kratochwil
PART II: 'MODERN' SYSTEMS THEORY
Modern Systems Theory and World Politics; M.Albert
Modern Systems Theory and/as Historical Discourse Analysis; H-M.Jaeger
PART III: PROCESS-THEORETICAL APPROACHES
Relationism and New Systems Theory; D.Nexon
Complexity and Change in World Politics; L-E.Cederman
Understanding System Dynamics; B.F.Braumoeller
PART IV: ANALYSES OF MACROHISTORICAL PROCESSES
English School as New Systems Theory; B.Buzan
Differention, Rationalization and Actorhood; G.M.Thomas
War and the Global Spread of the Nation-State; A.Wimmer & B.Min
PART V: FINAL REFLECTIONS AND OUTLOOK
Flatland: Quantum Mind and International System; A.Wendt
MATHIAS ALBERT is Professor of Political Science, Bielefeld University, Germany.
LARS-ERIK CEDERMAN is Professor of International Conflict Research, ETH Zürich, Switzerland.
ALEXANDER WENDT is Mershon Professor of International Security and Professor of Political Science, Ohio State University, USA.
Description
New Systems Theories of World Politics offers a fresh look at contemporary world politics. It uses a number of systems theoretical approaches in order to analyze the structure and dynamics of the international system. While a rich tradition of systems theorizing in International Relations emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, in recent years the study of world politics has tended to bypass developments in systems theory in favor of micro-level theories. Drawing on advances in systems theorizing in both the social and natural sciences, from agent-based modeling to quantum physics, this book explores the utility of reinvigorated systemic thought in helping us to understand the contemporary global condition. The editors argue that the system of world politics can be analyzed in a comprehensive fashion by continuing the pioneering work of theorists like Karl Deutsch.
Reviews
“This outstanding collection of superb essays offers a tour horizon of a new generation of systems theory, sociologically inspired for the most part, and different from the garden varieties of the 1960s and 1980s. One of the book’s many virtues is to bring to the attention of a North American audience the important work of the German sociologist Nikolas Luhmann whose thoughts pervade several of the essays. Read against the recently ascendant rational choice research program, this collection instills confidence in the range and vitality of analytical complements and alternatives to reductionist forms of theory. Apart from informing scholars about a broad range of theoretical developments they may not have followed closely, this volume will also be an excellent teaching tool especially in graduate seminars.”
- Peter J. Katzenstein, Walter S. Carpenter, Jr. Professor of International Studies, Cornell University, USA
"This important and thought-provoking book augurs and promotes the renaissance of Systems Theory in International Relations. Consisting of a comprehensive and cohesive collection of chapters by some of today’s leading international-systems theorists, this book’s most important contribution is replacing classic systems theory with a novel form of systems theorizing. The latter builds on social complexity and non-equilibrium dynamics; relational, communication, and semantic analyses; institutional and cultural macro historical-sociological standpoints; and quantum physics-based systems theorizing. Pushing the theoretical frontier forward, and suggesting a new theoretical agenda for teaching systems theory, this book is essential reading for International Relations theorists across paradigmatic divides."
- Emanuel Adler, Andrea and Charles Bronfman Chair of Israeli Studies, University of Toronto, Canada
"This volume brings together many of the major non-individualist forms of theorizing - including agent-based and equation-based modeling, complexity theory, Luhmannian systems analysis, and relationalism - in one place, providing ample conceptual resources for scholars seeking to explore the vistas opened up when we lift our eyes from the micro level."
- Patrick Thaddeus Jackson, Associate Professor of International Relations, School of International Service at the American University, USA
Contents
PART I: CONCEPTUAL OVERVIEW
Introduction: Systems Theorizing in IR; M.Albert & L-E.Cederman
Systems Theory beyond Explaining and Understanding; O.Kessler & F.Kratochwil
PART II: 'MODERN' SYSTEMS THEORY
Modern Systems Theory and World Politics; M.Albert
Modern Systems Theory and/as Historical Discourse Analysis; H-M.Jaeger
PART III: PROCESS-THEORETICAL APPROACHES
Relationism and New Systems Theory; D.Nexon
Complexity and Change in World Politics; L-E.Cederman
Understanding System Dynamics; B.F.Braumoeller
PART IV: ANALYSES OF MACROHISTORICAL PROCESSES
English School as New Systems Theory; B.Buzan
Differention, Rationalization and Actorhood; G.M.Thomas
War and the Global Spread of the Nation-State; A.Wimmer & B.Min
PART V: FINAL REFLECTIONS AND OUTLOOK
Flatland: Quantum Mind and International System; A.Wendt
Authors
MATHIAS ALBERT is Professor of Political Science, Bielefeld University, Germany.
LARS-ERIK CEDERMAN is Professor of International Conflict Research, ETH Zürich, Switzerland.
ALEXANDER WENDT is Mershon Professor of International Security and Professor of Political Science, Ohio State University, USA.
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