The Philosophy of International Relations: A Study in the History of ThoughtF. Parkinson Beverly Hills: Sage Publications Inc., 1977, pp. 245

Abstract

Though entitled, "The Philosophy... ," the book is not a thematic analysis focussing upon a single philosophy or theory. It deals with many subjects which have been grouped under a dozen themes and are discussed in a dozen chapters. Chapter one on natural law and divine law, deals with stoicism and the legal-theological issues of crusades and the "conquista" of Latin America. Under the theme' 'The Rise of the Prince,'' Parkinson actually talks of the rise of modern states, but loses this focus when he talks of different ideas of different thinkers. Next, the author touches upon the various schemes of balance of power, necessitated by power-struggles of states, and proposed by Cruce, Penn, Gentz and others. Parkinson presents thoughtful analyses of Kant, Hegel and Marx. In chapter four he deals with several Kantian ideas among which are: philosophy of practical reason, organic state, treaty for peace (not of peace). To Kant, eternal peace is a synthesis of organization, civilization and progress. The chapter confuses search for progress with search for peace; the two are often contradictory. Under the title "The Dialectic," Parkinson presents Hegelian Idealism and touches upon Hegel's views on state, war and world order. As a continuation of the Dialectic, the Marx-Engel materialist ideas on class struggle and state role have been mentioned. However, the dialectic is not examined as a tool for analysis of international relations. Functionalism is the theme of the next chapter. Functionalism, in criticism of mercantilism, developed two basic beliefs-one, free trade improves world economic growth; the other, material prosperity acts as a disincentive to war. In this context Parkinson pays special attention to Saint-Simon and August Comte. Analysis of the Marxist theories of imperialism is thought-provoking. Mention is made of the non-Marxists like Schumpeter and Galbraith, and the recent proponents of the "dependencia" theories, like Gunder Frank, Jaguaribe and Prebisch. Nothing is mentioned on the Afro-Asian views on colonialism or neo-colonialism. Next Parkinson discusses the liberal nationalism of Fichte and Herder, the chauvinism of Ranke, Treitschke and Dostoyevsky, an the Marxist view of nationalism. Not a word is said on the non-Western nationalist ideologies and movements that have shaped two-thirds of the globe. Parkinson touches upon the different trends in the evolution of federations and confederations-religious, political, "academic" and "functional." The rise of the international organization, Parkinson calls, not very accurately, the rise of confederation. Under the heading "Revolutionism," the author limits his discussion, however interesting, to the Marxist theory. He ignores Gandhi's innovative and unique revolution-the non-violent revolution. Scholars still like to discuss, it seems, the age-old theories of violent revolutions. While discussing the controversies over the doctrines of "permanent revolution," "just war," and "peaceful coexistence," Parkinson ignores the contributions of Mao, Guevara...