National interest and international solidarity: particular and universal ethics in international life - Tapa blanda

Taking as its point of departure the perennial tension between particular and universal ethics in international society, this book seeks to explore and understand the motivations of actors in different international contexts where national interests and solidarity concerns intersect. Focusing on a range of regional cases, where it is not evident from a traditional national interest point of view why outside actors would choose to intervene, the book evaluates the respective weight of national interest and international (solidarity) considerations. Ultimately, while classical national interest considerations remain to this day a powerful motivation for power projection, the book shows how an enlightened conception of national interest can encompass solidarity concerns, and how such a balancing of the imperatives of both national interest and solidarity is the major challenge facing decision-makers.

Jean-Marc Coicaud is head of United Nations University's office at the United Nations in New York. Nicholas J. Wheeler is senior lecturer in international relations at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.