Recognition between States: on the moral substrate of international relations

Abstract

Contrary to the everyday perception that the state actors aim with their actions on the respect and recognition of the community they represent, prevails in the dominant modern theory of international relations the notion that national governments essentially act purposive-rationally and not based on moral principles. The text highlights the reasons that speak for a stronger consideration of the dimension of recognition in explanations of international relations and explores the normative implications that arise from such a paradigmatic shift for the understanding and explanation of international relations. Narratives of justification of political action will have a central role in this context.