Ontological Security in International Relations

<p>The central assertion of this book is that states pursue social actions to serve self-identity needs, even when these actions compromise their physical existence. Three forms of social action, sometimes referred to as ‘motives’ of state behaviour (moral, humanitarian, and honour-driven) are analyzed here through an ontological security approach.</p><p>Brent J. Steele develops an account of social action which interprets these behaviours as fulfilling a nation-state's drive to secure self-identity through time. The anxiety which consumes all social agents motivates them to secure their sense of being, and thus he posits that transformational possibilities exist in the ‘Self’ of a nation-state. The volume consequently both challenges and complements realist, liberal, constructivist and post-structural accounts to international politics.</p><p>Using ontological security to interpret three cases - British neutrality during the American Civil War (1861-1865), Belgium’s decision to fight Germany in 1914, and NATO’s (1999) Kosovo intervention - the book concludes by discussing the importance for self-interrogation in both the study and practice of international relations.</p><p><em>Ontological Security in International Relations</em> will be of particular interest to students and researchers of international politics, international ethics, international relations and security studies.</p> <p>1. Introduction 2. Identity, Morality, and Social Action 3. The Possibilities of a Self 4. The Power of Self-Identity: British Neutrality and the American Civil War 5. 'Death Before Dishonor': Belgian Self-Identity, Honor, and World War I 6. Haunted by the Past: Shame and NATO’s Kosovo Operation 7. The Future of Ontological Security in International Relations</p>