Que reste-t-il du fonctionnalisme international? Relire David Mitrany (1888-1975)

In: Critique internationale: revue comparative de sciences sociales, Heft 1, S. 137-152

Abstract

David Mitrany is known as the founder of international functionalism. His seminal book, A Working Peace System, dates from 1943 & remains remarkably topical. In defending a global conception of security & a liberal interpretation of peace, his arguments are at the crux of debates on the future of multilateralism. But they also have their weaknesses. An overly rational viewpoint on international behavior & a disproportionate belief in the dynamics of common needs end up suggesting that political conflicts can be resolved by debates among experts. However, these rather standard criticisms in no way detract from Mitrany's intuitions, whether they pertain to the advent of "human security" or the limits of political regionalism. Even more so, it is the quest for a method for "making peace" that constitutes the most novel contribution of Mitrany's functionalism. Pragmatic in its inspiration, it constitutes an unusual approach among international relations scholars. A real practical philosophy, it is also a lesson for their research to study from. Adapted from the source document.