1st Edition
Ontological Security in International Relations Self-Identity and the IR State
1. Introduction: Interpreting State Motives
2. Morality and the Ontological State in IR theory
3. Ontological Security and Social Action
4. The Power of Self-Identity: The Emancipation Proclamation and British Neutrality during the American Civil War
5. ‘Death Before Dishonor’: Belgian Self-Identity, Honor, and World War I
6. Shadows of a Shameful Past: Kosovo and the NATO States
7. The Future of Ontological Security? Confronting Identity Threats through Reflexive Capabilities
Biography
Brent J. Steele is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas, USA.
Ontological Security in International Relations inspires a number of ideas, and as such, there are a number of potential future applications for Steele's ontological security approach. What Sjoberg has illustrated with regards to feminism may be equally applicable to other IR theories. For instance, Steele has a number of interesting insights regarding hegemony, suggesting that the ontological security research program might have ramifications for such approaches as hegemonic stability theory. The issue of self-interrogation and the case of the Zero Dark Thirty controversy also needs further attention. To flesh some of these (and other) ideas and applications out, there is no doubt that Steele's book is worthy of further attention.
Luke M. Herrington, E-IR
