The Eurocentric Conception of World Politics: Western International Theory, 1760-2010

John Hobson claims that throughout its history most international theory has been embedded within various forms of Eurocentrism. Rather than producing value-free and universalist theories of inter-state relations, international theory instead provides provincial analyses that celebrate and defend Western civilization as the subject of, and ideal normative referent in, world politics. Hobson also provides a sympathetic critique of Edward Said's conceptions of Eurocentrism and Orientalism, revealing how Eurocentrism takes different forms, which can be imperialist or anti-imperialist, and showing how these have played out in international theory since 1760. The book thus speaks to scholars of international relations and also to all those interested in understanding Eurocentrism in the disciplines of political science/political theory, political economy/international political economy, geography, cultural and literary studies, sociology and, not least, anthropology.

Author: John M. Hobson
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 03/29/2012
Pages: 406
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.40lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9781107604544

Review Citation(s):
Choice 01/01/2013

About the Author
Hobson, John M.: - John M. Hobson is Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Sheffield. His publications include Everyday Politics of the World Economy (2007), co-edited with Leonard Seabrooke; The Eastern Origins of Western Civilisation (2004); Historical Sociology of International Relations (2002), co-edited with Steve Hobden and The State and International Relations (2000).