Search results for ""author iain atack""

This title develops a coherent theory of nonviolent political action in the context of Western political theory. From Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King to toppled communist regimes in Eastern Europe and pro-democracy movements in Serbia, Georgia and Ukraine, nonviolent action has played a significant role in achieving social and political change in the last century. Ian Atack identifies the contribution of nonviolence to political theory through connecting central characteristics of nonviolent action to fundamental debates about the role of power and violence in politics. This in turn provides a platform for going beyond historical and strategic accounts of nonviolence to a deeper understanding of its transformative potential. Key features: explores the philosophical presuppositions behind nonviolent political action; examines the tensions between nonviolence and pacifism in international politics; uses Gramsci and Foucault to critically analyse consent as the basis of political power; and, distinguishes between two forms of nonviolence, deriving from political theory and the role of the state

Read more less

The ethics of peace and war is one of the central ethical issues in International Relations today. This book looks at three key theories which have implications for the role of ethics in war and armed conflict: cosmopolitanism; internationalism; and political realism. It argues for the appropriateness of cosmopolitanism above the other two general theories, with its emphasis on the equal worth of all human beings as the basis for a global moral community. This ethical theory is shown to have a vital role to play in international politics in light of changing conceptions of peace and security, the prevalence of internal over international wars, and the increasing emphasis on international humanitarian intervention as a justification for the use of military force. The book is divided into three parts - after a general introduction to peace and war in world ethics there follow sections on International Politics and the Morality of Peace and War; Ethical Approaches to Armed Conflict; and Cosmopolitan Strategies. A conclusion sums up the arguments. This is a topical book suitable for a range of courses in Philosophy, Politics, Peace Studies and International Relations. Key Features *Evaluates the relevance of the theory of cosmopolitanism to the specific problems of war and armed conflict *Examines two contrasting positions on the ethics of war and armed conflict: pacifism and just war theory *Analyses contemporary issues and debates including postmodern and asymmetrical war, and peace-building and conflict prevention *A central theme is the ambiguous role of the state in controlling and justifying the use of military force and in constructing a new cosmopolitan world order

Read more less

The ethics of peace and war is central to the idea of world ethics. In fact it can be argued to be one of the central ethical issues in international Relations more generally. This book looks at three general theories concerned with the role of ethics in international politics, focusing on the specific problems of war and armed conflict. The author explores the connections between these three theories - cosmopolitanism, reason of state, and just war theory and pacifism - and puts forward the argument for the appropriateness of cosmopolitanism (with its emphasis on the equal worth of all human beings as the basis for a global moral community) above the other two general theories in light of current issues concerning war and armed conflict, changing conceptions of peace and security, the prevalence of internal over international wars, and the increasing emphasis on international humanitarian intervention as a justification for the use of military force.

Read more less

This book examines the relevance of nonviolent tactics to current debates about political action and political thought. Nonviolent political action has played a significant role in achieving social and political change in the last century. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King were prominent proponents of nonviolence. Nonviolent political action or civil resistance has also been central to toppling communist regimes in Eastern Europe and to pro-democracy popular movements in Serbia, Georgia and the Ukraine. By scrutinising the theories behind nonviolence, such as the role of the state, the rule of law and the nature of social and political power, Atack establishes nonviolence as a credible theme within Western political thought.

Read more less