Laura Zanotti - Ontological Entanglements, Agency and Ethics in International Relations: Exploring the Crossroads

While the relevance of ontological commitments for epistemology and methodology in International Relations have been the subject of growing debate for several years, the implications for ethics and political agency of embracing an ontology of entanglement have remained unexplored. This work focuses on the importance of addressing the ontological and epistemological assumptions of the discipline of International Relations.

There is increased awareness of the limits of abstract principles as ways of adjudicating real life political and ethical choices regarding International Intervention and international development for both practitioners and scholars. The work challenges IR prevailing ontological imaginaries rooted upon Newtonian physics. It argues that non-substantialist ontological positions nurture a political ethos that privileges modest engagements of practical solidarity. Such ethos weights political choices with regard to the consequences and distributive effects they may produce in the context where they are made rather than based upon their universal normative aspirations. While the book is firmly rooted in metatheory, Zanotti also highlights the easiness with which political failures are dismissed as unintended consequences and argues that the current crisis in Syria, and genocides in Srebrenica and Rwanda have shown that advocating abstract ethical principles, be they the Responsibility to Protect, impartiality, or following rules can lead to disaster and can foster violent and exclusionary practices. She also exemplifies how an alternative ethos can be practiced through the example of an international NGO in Haiti.

Highlighting the need for critically re-thinking the way we conceptualize political agency and validate ethics, this work will be of interest to scholars of International Relations theory, ethics and critical security studies.

Laura Zanotti is Associate Professor at Virginia Tech, USA. Prior to joining academia, Zanotti worked in peacekeeping and peacebuilding at the United Nations.

Edited by Jenny Edkins
Aberystwyth University and Nick Vaughan-Williams,
University of Warwick

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On the Persistence of the Japanese History Problem

Historicism and the International Politics of History

Hitomi Koyama

Ontological Entanglements, Agency and Ethics in International Relations

Exploring the Crossroads

Laura Zanotti

For a full list of available titles please visit www.routledge.com/series/INT

Laura Zanotti

First published 2019

by Routledge

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2019 Laura Zanotti

The right of Laura Zanotti to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

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British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Zanotti, Laura, author.

Title: Ontological entanglements, agency and ethics in international relations : exploring the crossroads / Laura Zanotti.

Description: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2018. | Series: Interventions | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018009401 | ISBN 9780415786355 (hbk) | ISBN 9781315227764 (ebk)

Subjects: LCSH: International relationsPhilosophy. | International relationsMoral and ethical aspects.

Classification: LCC JZ1305 .Z37 2018 | DDC 172/.4dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018009401

ISBN: 978-0-415-78635-5 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-31522-776-4 (ebk)

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To Giovanni, who creates food as a work of art.

To Riccardo, who wants to be buried with his tool box.

The argument of this book has been shaped by many conversations. Edward Weisband has been a mentor, a friend and source of comfort in dark moments. I am indebted to Francois Debrix, Janell Watson, Scott Nelson, Lydia Patton and Mario Khreiche, as well as to other members of the ASPECT working group for their comments on sections of this work. Tim Luke, Karen Hult and Ilja Luciak in the Department of Political Science at Virginia Tech have been in many ways supportive of my scholarly work during the years. I am grateful to Jason Weidner for having pointed me to the work of Karen Barad and to Sandy Thatcher for introducing me to the work of Peg OConnor and, of course, for publishing my first book. I owe Nick Onuf for his (as always) challenging remarks on sections of this book. Conversations with Fritz Kratochwil helped me to gain confidence that this was an inquiry worth pursuing. The questions and comments from the graduate students of the seminar Topics in Security Studies. The Political Ethics of International Security in the fall of 2016 helped me to clarify and sharpen my argument. Conversations with my former UN colleague Francesco Manca have contributed to shape my reflections on that organization, though we do not always agree. I am indebted to Max Stephenson in many ways: for having shared many reflections on agency, for being a partner in scholarly work and in attempts to make a difference in the world, and for being a loyal friend. Paola Iannucci shared with me her knowledge of the work of Gianrico Carofiglio as well as copies of his books. I am also thankful to Anthony Szczurek and Augusta Nannerini for their editorial revisions and to Jenny Edkins and the Intervention Series Editorial Team for patiently waiting for this book. My son Giovanni has survived a busy mother and the difficulties of making logistics work. Riccardo made me laugh and rescued me from failing appliances, plumbing disasters and the challenges of everyday life. My lifetime friends in Italy have been in many ways a source of support when I was about to give up. My parents provided the feeling of security that made it possible for me to take risks to pursue my dream. Of course, the limitations and shortcomings of what is written here remain my sole responsibility.