The Morality of Politics

States, Honour and War

Ulf Hedetoft

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English

Anthem Press
12 March 2025

Politics & government

This book deals with the morality, self-conception and honour of states, something that goes well beyond the narrow, rationalist defence of national interests, which dominates most IR studies. The volume pursues this line of thinking by focussing on three different but interconnected thematics: political moralism, the honour of states and the peace/war-problematic. The moral self-conception of states

which comes most clearly to the fore in situations of war

rests on the ideal conception of 'all of us', which includes all citizens, all classes and all generations, set against their opposite numbers outside of 'our' immediate sphere of domination. This state-based image of itself and its existential teleology constitutes its very essence, notwithstanding that it is often seen as a deviation ('exception') from the normal state of affairs, where the state is 'just ' there to serve and support the economy and its principal actors. All three chapters thus revolve around issues that relate to the interaction of war and democracy and the underlying morality that both legitimates and underpins the actions of politicians as well as citizens.

By: Ulf Hedetoft
Imprint: Anthem Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 153mm, Spine: 13mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9781839992940
ISBN 10: 1839992948
Pages: 150
Publication Date: 12 March 2025
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

INTRODUCTION; Chapter I. POLITICAL MORALITY: A CRITIQUE OF STATE-CITIZEN RELATIONS; Chapter II. THE HONOUR AND PRESTIGE OF STATES; CHAPTER III. WAR, PEACE AND MORALITY: 10 THESES ON THE COST OF FREEDOM – AND A CASE STUDY OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE; EPILOGUE; REFERENCES

Ulf Hedetoft is Professor, dr. phil., at the University of Copenhagen. His research interests include the theory and history of state, sovereignty and nationalism, with a special focus on Europe.