Morgenthau

The ideas of Hans Morgenthau dominated the study of international politics in the United States for many decades. He was the leading representative of Realist international relations theory in the last century and his work remains hugely influential in the field. In this engaging and accessible new study of his work, William E. Scheuerman provides a comprehensive and illuminating introduction to Morgenthau s ideas, and assesses their significance for political theory and international politics. Scheuerman shows Morgenthau to be an uneasy Realist, uncomfortable with conventional notions of Realism and sometimes unsure whether his reflections should be grouped under its rubric. He was a powerful critic of the existing state system and defended the idea of a world state. By highlighting Morgenthau s engagement with the leading lights of European political and legal theory, Scheuerman argues that he developed a morally demanding political ethics and an astute diagnosis of the unprecedented perils posed by nuclear weaponry. Believing that the irrationalities of US foreign policy were rooted partly in domestic factors, he sympathized with demands for radical political and social change. Scheuerman illustrates that Morgenthau s thinking has been widely misunderstood by both disciples and critics and that it offers many challenges to contemporary Realists who discount his normative aspirations. With the advent of the cosmopolitan goal of international reform, Morgenthau s work serves up an unsettling mix of sympathy and hard-headed skepticism which remains crucially important in the development of the field. Lucidly and persuasively written, this book will be a valuable resource for students and scholars seeking to understand the continued importance of Morgenthau s thinking.

The ideas of Hans Morgenthau dominated the study of internationalpolitics in the United States for many decades. He was the leadingrepresentative of Realist international relations theory in thelast century and his work remains hugely influential in the field.In this engaging and accessible new study of his work, William E.Scheuerman provides a comprehensive and illuminating introductionto Morgenthau's ideas, and assesses their significance forpolitical theory and international politics.Scheuerman shows Morgenthau to be an uneasy Realistuncomfortable with conventional notions of Realism and sometimesunsure whether his reflections should be grouped under its rubric.He was a powerful critic of the existing state system and defendedthe idea of a world state. By highlighting Morgenthau'sengagement with the leading lights of European political and legaltheory, Scheuerman argues that he developed a morally demandingpolitical ethics and an astute diagnosis of the unprecedentedperils posed by nuclear weaponry. Believing that theirrationalities of US foreign policy were rooted partly in domesticfactors, he sympathized with demands for radical political andsocial change. Scheuerman illustrates that Morgenthau'sthinking has been widely misunderstood by both disciples andcritics and that it offers many challenges to contemporary Realistswho discount his normative aspirations. With the advent of thecosmopolitan goal of international reform, Morgenthau's workserves up an unsettling mix of sympathy and hard-headed skepticismwhich remains crucially important in the development of thefield.Lucidly and persuasively written, this book will be a valuableresource for students and scholars seeking to understand thecontinued importance of Morgenthau's thinking.

Acknowledgments viiiList of abbreviations xIntroduction: Morgenthau's uneasy Realism 11 Radical roots of Realism 112 Morality, power, and tragedy 403 Defending the national interest 704 Politics among nations and beyond 1015 Utopian Realism and the bomb 1356 Vietnam and the crisis of American democracy 165Conclusion: Morgenthau as classical Realist? 196Notes 199Bibliography 233Index 250