The Liberal International Theory Tradition in Europe.

• Author: Zatari, Fadi

Edited by Knud Erik Jorgensen

Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Pivot, 2021, 155 pages, $44.96, ISBN: 9783030526429

International Relations (IR) Theory as a discipline is characterized by substantial liberal structures and features. The Liberal International Theory Tradition in Europe covers one hundred years of liberal IR theorizing debates. Despite frequent criticism against the liberal theory tradition, the authors believe this tradition has rarely received sufficient consideration. Thus, the book attempts to demonstrate that liberal international theory has a rich theoretical tradition that often goes unrecognized. The edited volume aims to contest conventional wisdom about the classical liberal tradition; it contains nine scholarly chapters that scrutinize how the liberal IR tradition developed in Europe.

In the first chapter, titled "Introduction: The

Liberal International Theory Tradition in Context," Knud Erik J0rgensen locates the liberal tradition in the discipline of IR and political thought, aspiring to construct associations between disciplinary, theoretical, and intercultural history. He argues that to study the liberal international theory tradition in Europe, the times, spaces, and political-institutional culture in which it developed and flourished are substance to IR theorists; thus, scrutinizing this topic necessitates a systematic and critical examination of its significant terms and a clear identification of its time and place. J0rgensen outlines the research agenda of the book and proposes three correlating axes: liberalism, internationalism, and theory. For him, the agenda of this volume is to use a historical perspective to connect what appears separate in the liberal theory tradition during the last 100 years.

In the second chapter, "Liberal IR Theorizing During the Early Twentieth Century: 1900-1939," Lacin Idil Oztig claims that the devastating effects of WWI stimulated many scholars to envisage means to prevent future war. War is considered a hindrance to individual liberty; for this reason, many liberal theorists turned to internationalism to maintain peace and liberate individuals. Oztig provides insight into the growth of liberal internationalism in the interwar era; she explores diverse scholars from both Anglo-centric and continental traditions. For instance, she reviews the contributions of David Mitrany, who suggested constructing international organizations to prevent conflict and violence. Likewise, she...