Systems, Relations, and the Structures of International Societies
Systems, Relations, and the Structures of International Societies
Inspired by recent work in evolutionary, developmental, and systems biology, Systems, Relations, and the Structures of International Societies sketches a robust conception of systems that grounds a new conception of levels (of organization, not merely analysis). Understanding international systems as multi-level multi-actor complex adaptive systems allows explanations of important features of the world that are inaccessible to dominant causal and rationalist explanatory strategies. It also develops a comprehensive critique of IR's dominant conception of systems and structures (narrow, rigid, and unfruitful); presents a novel conception of the interrelationship of the social production of continuities and the social production of change; and sketches models of spatio-political structure that cast new light on the development of international systems, including a distinctive account of the nature of globalization.
- Draws on work on mechanisms, processes, and model-based explanations in the contemporary life sciences to emphasize the differences between 'causal effects' and 'systems effects' explanations
- Comprehensively critiques IR's dominant Waltzian structural conception of systems, allowing us to see systems approaches as parts of a pluralistic discipline (rather than just a narrow approach tendentiously related to realism)
- Demonstrates how a relational systemic perspective can be applied to generate new kinds of understandings of new areas of international relations, and to generate mid-level models that can illuminate both historical and contemporary international systems
Reviews & endorsements
'In a world marked by cascades of ever more complex interdependence, Jack Donnelly persuasively argues that differentiation, not anarchy, should be central to understanding world order. This book is a masterpiece, melding theoretical innovation with broad historical scope.' Daniel H. Deudney, Professor of Political Science, Johns Hopkins University
'At last: a book about international societies as a genus, a book that starts with wholes as parts of wholes, a book that makes sense of levels and layers, a book that fearlessly dispatches Waltz's structuralism for good. A relentlessly systematic, dauntingly detailed book for the ages.' Nicholas Onuf, Professor Emeritus, Florida International University
Product details
January 2025Paperback
9781009355209
483 pages
229 × 151 × 18 mm
0.5kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Part I. Systems, Relations, Levels, and Explanations: Foundations For Systemic/Relational IR:
- 1. Systems and relations
- 2. Complex adaptive systems
- 3. From levels of analysis to levels of organization
- 4. Systems, causes, and theory: explanatory pluralism in IR
- Part II. Waltzian Structural Theory: A Post-Mortem:
- 5. Structural theory
- 6. Anarchy
- 7. The tripartite conception of structure
- 8. Functional differentiation and distribution of capabilities
- 9. Ordering principles
- Part III. Systems, Relations, and Processes: Reframing Systemic International Theory
- Section A. Differentiation and Continuous (Trans)Formation:
- 10. Relations, processes, and systems
- 11. Multiple dimensions of differentiation in assembled international systems
- 12. Continuous (trans)formation: producing social continuity and social change
- 13. Life sciences and social sciences: co-evolving complex adaptive systems
- Section B. Four Excursions in Relational/Systemic IR:
- 14. Normative-institutional differentiation
- 15. Vertical differentiation: stratification and hierarchy in international systems
- 16. Levels, centers, and peripheries: spatio-political structures
- 17. Continuous (trans)formation of eurocentric political systems (c. 1225 – c. 2025)
- 18. Afterword: multiple approaches to multidimensional systems of relations.
