Notions of justice and fairness in international relations

Abstract

This thesis is the result of a research project on notions of justice and fairness in international relations. Unlike the rapidly growing literature on ‘international ethics’ this project is empirically oriented, rather than philosophically. It thus does not seek to establish a new theory of international justice but to investigate the practical relevance of justice notions in international affairs. It explores concepts of justice, which politicians and other actors in international affairs use, and the way they use them. I employ the term ‘use’ here, instead of e.g. ‘hold', because it characterises another dimension of the project. The subject of this study is not so much which ideas of justice politicians or diplomats have as individuals. I am more interested in the moral concepts they use in social interaction, when they make a statement. Thus I study, if you will, discourse rather than opinion.