Although he is widely regarded as the 'founding father' of realism in International Relations, this 2010 book argues that Hans J. Morgenthau's legal background has largely been neglected in discussions of his place in the 'canon' of IR theory. Morgenthau was a legal scholar of German-Jewish origins who arrived in the United States in 1938. He went on to become a distinguished professor of Political Science and a prominent commentator on international affairs. Rather than locate Morgenthau's intellectual heritage in the German tradition of 'Realpolitik', this book demonstrates how many of his central ideas and concepts stem from European and American legal debates of the 1920s and 1930s. This is an ambitious attempt to recast the debate on Morgenthau and will appeal to IR scholars interested in the history of realism as well as international lawyers engaged in debates regarding the relationship between law and politics, and the history of International Law.
• Closely examines the origins of Morgenthau's ideas by situating them in the academic controversies and debates of the time • Explores Morgenthau's legal heritage and sheds new light on where some of the main ideas of the realist school of thought originate • Short overview sections simplify potentially complicated and unknown debates in German and American legal theory
Contents
1. Hans J. Morgenthau in International Relations; 2. The justiciability of disputes; 3. Hans Kelsen and the reality of norms; 4. Legal realism and behaviouralist social science; 5. Legalism, romanticism and irresponsible statecraft; 6. The legacy of legal formalism.
Reviews
Review of the hardback: 'A thoughtfully conceived, well written and carefully argued re-reading of Morgenthau.' Jack Donnelly, University of Denver
Review of the hardback: 'A revealing study that breaks new ground in the studies of Morgenthau and realism, as well as in the disciplinary history of International Relations in general.' Michael C. Williams, University of Ottawa
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