Overview

Global security, climate and health challenges have all created a deep-seated unease about international society's capacity to cope with change. International Relations should help practitioners develop appropriate responses, but Jason Ralph argues that IR would be better positioned to do so if it drew more explicitly on the insights of classical Pragmatism. By bringing this tradition in from the margins, Ralph comprehensively engages norm, practice, realist and global IR theory to extend the 'new constructivist' research agenda in a normative direction. He develops a 'Pragmatic Constructivist' approach to assess how well communities of practice facilitate the learning that mitigates emergent social problems and improves lived experiences. This normative assessment focuses on the extent to which communities of practice are characterized by inclusive reflexivity and deliberative practical judgment. These two tests are then applied to critique existing communities of practice, including the UN Security Council, the UNFCCC and the WHO.

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9781009385787

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Reviews

'... for the scholars, diplomats and policy-makers familiar with the region, this book is insightful and will be of great interest.' Johanne Marie Skov, International Affairs 'At a time during which global governance norms stand contested, Jason Ralph's book is essential reading for any scholar or practitioner in need of ethical direction and looking to avoid the trap of moral absolutism. ... Ralph's intellectual brilliance and trust in humankind's capacities to realize the global public good constitutes a visionary alternative to realist scenarios of a self-help world.' Maren Hofius, International Affairs 'The pragmatist turn in International Relations is well overdue. Global learning among diverse communities is needed to tackle planetary challenges for which twentieth century institutions are no longer fit for purpose. Jason Ralph develops and defends a pragmatist constructivist analysis that shows how that 'learning by doing' can happen. This is an inspiring book for all IR scholars and practitioners, deeply informed by pragmatists a century ago who similarly confronted a world in flux and crisis.' Jacqui True, School of Social Sciences, Monash University 'Via an intellectual tour of rare erudition and stunning breadth, Ralph drags American pragmatism from IR's margins to its core, exhorting New Constructivists not only to describe how norms matter, but to evaluate which norms ameliorate pressing global problems. Richly illustrated with examples from security, health and climate governance, supporters and critics alike will have to engage Ralph's powerful thesis.' David McCourt, Department of Sociology, University of California, Davis

Author Information

Jason Ralph is Professor of International Relations at the University of Leeds.

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