Philosophy of International Relations

Objectives

Promote the in-depth study of the main philosophical perspectives upon international relations, specifically in the western world, in modern and contemporary age.

Advance the reading and critical analysis of the most representative philosophers regarding international relations, intending the development of, oral and writing, communication and argumentation capacities.

Comprehend the importance of the philosophical thought regarding the international system, by whom and how they operate, fomenting a critical exercise judgment of citizenship.

Debate the philosophical relevance to international relations, particularly in a time flagged by a crisis.

Program

The current subject aims the contribution of philosophy to the study of international relations. Mainly, intends to explore how the modern and contemporary philosophers analyze and comprehend the international system, regarding binomial themes: peace and war, order and power, interculturality and globalization.

Philosophy of the International Relations: subject parameter and the object of the study. Concepts, subjects and interests of the International Relations Philosophy.

Philosophy, war and peace: from the genesis of modernity until the early 21st century. Philosophical streams and fundamental problems. The realist paradigm. The liberal paradigm. Idealism and cosmopolitism. Natural law, natural rights and the law of people.

Philosophy, international order and world government. Imperialism criticism. Civilization and crisis. Security, terrorism and ‘just war’. Interculturality, multiculturalism and globalization: contemporary philosophical perspectives.

Teaching Methodologies

Combination of methodologies: lectures and interaction with the students. The lectures will be illustrated by means of analysing texts and documents to which students will have access. The interactive component considers in-class participation and the completion of a research project.

In line with the adopted methodologies, the following learning activities will be prioritised: creating a database on the themes and authors studied; the investigation and subsequent organisation of information; a careful reading of selected texts; a productive discussion and debate while clarifying doubts and deepening questions; applying and demonstrating competencies in the area of oral and written discourse.

Bibliography

BOUCHER, David, Political Theory of International Relations from Thucydides to the Present, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1998.

BRAILLARD, Ph., Philosophie et Relations Internationales, Genève, Institut Universitaire des Hautes Études Internationales, 1974.

GOYARD-FABRE, Simone, La Construction de la Paix, ou le Travail de Sisyphe, Paris, Vrin, 1994.

PANGLE, Th.L. and AHRENSDORF, P.J., Justice among Nations, Lawrence, Univ. Press of Kansas, 1999.

POJMAN, Louis, Terrorismo, Direitos Humanos e a Apologia do Governo Mundial, Lisboa, Ed. Bizâncio, 2007.

RAMEL, F., Philosophie des Relations Internationales, Paris, Presses de Sciences Po., 2002.

SLOTERDIJK, Peter, Palácio de Cristal. Para uma Teoria Filosófica da Globalização, Lisboa, Relógio D’ Água, 2008.

TAYLOR, Ch., Multiculturalism and “The Politics of Recognition”, Princeton, Princeton Univ. Press, 1992.

WALZER, Michael, A Guerra em Debate, Lisboa, Ed. Cotovia, 2004.