International Politics: Foundations of the System

Description

Through an interdisciplinary approach, Professor Levi, a political scientist develops a theoretical framework for an analysis of international politics. Ranging over a great array of materials, the author examines factors inherent in the special characteristics of states and governments, their perceptions of and modes of communication with each other, and their relationships with their own nationals, as well as their physical resources, needs, and wants. His analysis is therefore not merely political or politico-economic but also broadly sociological and psychological. In his study the author traces the impact of the changing environment in which the interactions among nations take place, and he then projects the discernible trends into the future in order to make an informed prediction as to what the nature of international society may be like some decades from now. His analysis of the special characteristics of states and their governments leads Professor Levi to conclude that the idea of sovereignty - the insistence of states that they continue as independent autonomous units in the international society - will remain dominant for a long time to come, and that national self-interest will continue to be the prevailing criterion in the shaping of national policies. But he finds that these and other concepts which have traditionally controlled international politics do not have an immutable content, and that under the influence of changing environments the concepts assume different meanings. In his projections for the future the author contends that the translation of national self-interests into international policies, if rationally and intelligently undertaken, may be consistent with the growth of a peaceful international community. The book contains an important, extensive bibliography.