The problem of harm in world politics : theoretical investigations / Andrew Linklater.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 267-298) and index.

The concept of harm -- The harm principle and global ethics -- Harm and international relations theory -- The sociology of civilizing processes -- Historical sociology and world politics: structures, norms and emotions -- Civilizing processes and international systems.

"The need to control violent and non-violent harm has been central to human existence since societies first emerged. This book analyses the problem of harm in world politics which stems from the fact that societies require the power to harm in order to defend themselves from internal and external threats, but must also control the capacity to harm so that people cannot kill, injure, humiliate or exploit others as they please. Andrew Linklater analyses writings in moral and legal philosophy that define and classify forms of harm, and discusses the ways in which different theories of international relations suggest the power to harm can be controlled so that societies can co-exist with the minimum of violent and non-violent harm. Linklater argues for new connections between the English School study of international society and Norbert Elias's analysis of civilizing process in order to advance the study of harm in world politics"-- Provided by publisher.