Revolutions in Sovereignty: How Ideas Shaped Modern International Relations

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Revolutions in Sovereignty: How Ideas Shaped Modern International Relations
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Daniel Philpott
SeriesPrinceton Studies in International History and Politics
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:352
Dimensions(mm): Height 235,Width 152
ISBN/Barcode 9780691057477
ClassificationsDewey:320.15
Audience
Professional & Vocational
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Illustrations 5 line illus., 7 tables

Publishing Details

Publisher Princeton University Press
Imprint Princeton University Press
Publication Date 25 February 2001
Publication Country United States

Description

How did the world come to be organized into sovereign states? Daniel Philpott argues that two historical revolutions in ideas are responsible. First, the Protestant Reformation ended medieval Christendom and brought a system of sovereign states in Europe, culminating at the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. Second, ideas of equality and colonial nationalism brought a sweeping end to colonial empires around 1960, spreading the sovereign states system to the rest of the globe. In both cases, revolutions in ideas about legitimate political authority profoundly altered the "constitution" that establishes basic authority in the international system. Ideas exercised influence first by shaping popular identities, then by exercising social power upon the elites who could bring about new international constitutions. Swaths of early modern Europeans, for instance, arrived at Protestant beliefs, then fought against the temporal powers of the Church on behalf of the sovereignty of secular princes, who could overthrow the formidable remains of a unified medieval Christendom.In the second revolution, colonial nationalists, domestic opponents of empire, and rival superpowers pressured European cabinets to relinquish their colonies in the name of equality and nationalism, resulting in a global system of sovereign states. Bringing new theoretical and historical depth to the study of international relations, Philpott demonstrates that while shifts in military, economic, and other forms of material power cannot be overlooked, only ideas can explain how the world came to be organized into a system of sovereign states.

Author Biography

Daniel Philpott is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has published on such topics as self-determination, sovereignty, and ethics and international relations.

Reviews

"This convincing portrait show how power and ideas together shape international relations."--John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs