Suchergebnisse

The author explores the changing functions of boundaries in territorially and nonterritorially based social organizations. By focusing on the exchanges that boundaries mediate, a fuller account can be given of the systems characteristics in which the units interact than is afforded by traditional systems theory. Two case studies demonstrate that imperial boundaries differ significantly from those in the state system. Boundaries are shown to be the major means for conflict management in the international system. The author also investigates shifts in the location of the boundary, characteristics of balance-of-power systems, and the restriction and expansion of the exchanges that boundaries allow through the bundling or unbundling of territorial rights. Most of the latter devices that gave rise to spheres of influence, buffer states, suzerainties, and so forth have been overtaken by events, but functional regimes and spheres of influence based upon tacit rather than explicit rules remain important.

How do norms influence choices in social life? Conceptual distinctions among types of norms and suggestions in the work of Hobbes, Hume, and Durkheim help us investigate in greater detail the "woolly" concept of regimes in international relations. When we disaggregate the "set of explicit and implicit norms, rules, and decisionmaking procedures" in a given issue area and focus on the conceptual links between rules, principles (norms), and actions, we gain an understanding of the role of norms in social life that is more comprehensive than the understanding provided by traditional accounts. Furthermore, placing the present regime discussion within wider philosophical traditions enables us to develop a more critical approach to the building of theory in the social sciences, since the use of norms as explanatory devices challenges the predominant positivist outlook in several important respects.

Since the notion of the "national interest" plays a pivotal role in the discourse of state action, its clarification as a normative term is historically as well as systematically important. Differing from the conventional approach, which defines the national interest according to genus and taxa, I shall argue that due to its function as a normative term the national interest cannot be understood in taxonomic categories; it necessitates an investigation of the logic of its use according to specified criteria. In this context the notion of the "public interest" is, for historical as well as systematic reasons, illuminating. As historical investigation shows, the term national interest is neither self-justificatory nor arbitrary within the conventions of the European state system until the late nineteenth century. Important changes in the international system can be traced by following the fundamentally changed usage of the term after 1870. A short comparison with and critique of Waltz's "systemic theory" of international relations concludes the article.

Bei der Beantwortung der Frage, inwieweit Normen Entscheidungen im sozialen Leben beeinflussen, greift der Autor auf Werke von Hobbes, Hume und Durkheim und die von ihnen entwickelten Kategorien zurück. (AuD-Fsk)

International organization as a field of study is where the action is. The analytical shifts leading up to the current preoccupation with international regimes have been both progressive and cumulative. And the field is pursuing its object of study in innovative ways that are bringing it closer to the theoretical core of more general international relations work. As we point out, however, the study of regimes as practiced today suffers from the fact that its epistemological approaches contradict its basic ontological posture. Accordingly, more interpretive strains, commensurate with the intersubjective basis of international regimes, should be included in the prevailing epistemological approaches. In addition, as a result of its enthusiasm for the concept of regimes, the field has tended to neglect the study of formal international organizations. Interpretive epistemologies can also help to link up the study of regimes with the study of formal international organizations by drawing attention to the roles these organizations play in creating transparency in the behavior and expectations of actors, serving as focal points for the international legitimation struggle, and providing a venue for the conduct of global epistemic politics.

Anhand eines Überblicks über die Veröffentlichungen zum Forschungsgebiet der 'international organization' wird die Entwicklung der wichtigsten Ansätze für den Zeitraum 1947 bis 1984 dargestellt (und über eine graphische Darstellung quantitativ veranschaulicht). Diese Ansätze werden analysiert, auf Mängel in der wissenschaftlichen Praxis wird verwiesen. Insbesondere der an Normen orientierte Regime-Ansatz wirft Probleme auf, da er eine eindeutige Abgrenzung der verwendeten Begriffe nicht immer zuläßt. Eine 'interpretative Erkenntnistheorie' könnte eine Verbindung zwischen der Regimeanalyse und der Formalanalyse internationaler Organisationen herstellen. (SWP-Tth)