International Institutions in World History: Divorcing International Relations Theory From the State and Stage Models

This Book Presents A Case For A Basic Reorientation Of International Relations Away From The State And Towards The Study Of Social Institutions In The Sense Of Patterned Practices, Ideas And Norms/rules. Ir Has Always Suffered From A Parochial Occupation With The State And The Western System Of State. Its Main Theories Revolve Around These Phenomena, And Have Resulted In The Reification Of The State: It Has Been Turned Into An Essential Actor, With Certain Immutable And Fundamental Properties That Remain Constant Throughout Time. A List Of These Properties Usually Includes Territorial Limits, Centralisation, Monopolisation Of Violence And Exclusive Loyalties. International Institutions In World History Shows How The State Is An Inherently Modern Phenomenon, A Modern Social Institution, And That Foundational Concepts In Ir Should Be Based On A Full Appreciation Of The Wider Record Of Human Existence On Earth, Trans-historically And Cross-culturally. Schouenborg Argues That These Social Institutions May Be Captured Via A Universal Functional Typology Consisting Of Four Categories: Legitimacy And Membership; Regulating Conflicts; Trade; And Governance. The Book Will Be Of Interest To Scholars And Students Within Ir (particularly Ir Theory), Anthropology, Archaeology And Sociology, And Those Interested In General Social Theory.