Roger Morgan

A European ‘society of states’—but only states of mind?

The late Martin Wight (1917–72) made a significant contribution to the study of International Relations by developing the concept of an international ‘society of states’. In such a society, he argued, states accept a number of norms and conventions governing their behaviour, which facilitate the management and resolution of interstate conflicts. The article argues that some of Wights concepts can help to illuminate the current functioning of the European Union—seen as a body of states subject to a wide range of rules, both formal and informal—especially if these concepts are combined with the ‘scientific’ research methods developed more recently. In this connection, particular attention is paid to the historically based theoretical model developed by Andrew Moravcsik.

What Kind of Europe? The Need for a ‘Grand Debate’

Books reviewed in this article: n n n nBen Rosamond, Theories of European Integration n n n nDimitris N. Chryssochoou, Michael J. Tsinisizelis, Stelios Stavridis and Kostas Ifantis, Theory and Reform in the European Union n n n nJames Sperling (ed.), Two Tiers or Two Speeds? The European Security Order and the Enlargement of the European Union and NATO n n n nMichael Burgess, Federalism and European Union: the Building of Europe 1950-2000 n n n nBrigid Laffan, Rory ODonnell and Michael Smith, Europes Experimental Union: Rethinking Integration

Images, Identities and Foreign policy

Books reviewed: n n n nMichael Cox (ed), E. H. Carr. A Critical Appraisal n n n nKathleen Burk, Troublemaker. The Life and History of A. J. P. Taylor n n n nOle Elgstrom, Images and Strategies for Autonomy. Explaining Swedish Security Policy Strategies in the Nineteenth Century n n n nAlan Chong and Jana Valencic (eds), The Image, the State and International Relations. Proceedings from the Conference on 24 June 1999 (European Foreign Policy Unit Working Papers No. 2001/2)