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Voluntary action in International Relations

delete2026-04-16
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PRE
AI
J
Joseph M. Parent
P
Paul K. MacDonald
DOI:10.1177/13540661261437973delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
<jats:p>What is voluntary action in International Relations (IR)? Literatures on bargaining, empire, foreign policy, grand strategy, hierarchy, hegemony, international law, international order, legitimacy, responsibility, status, and strategy depend on the answer, yet IR has no definition of it. We argue that voluntary action is an expression of genuine will. Yet, because of theoretical commitments, there remains deep disagreement about which actors are capable of genuine will, what process produces it, and what internal and external conditions interfere with it. We lay out where and why disagreements occur and discuss ways of advancing disputes over voluntarism in world politics.</jats:p>

Journal

European Journal of International Relations cover
European Journal of International Relations
IF:
2.9
Papers:
136
Citations:
3.7K

Organization

W
Wellesley College
Scholars:
980
Papers: 791
Citations: 7
U
university of notre dame
Scholars:
1.4K
Papers: 677
Citations: 0