Michael Oakeshott's Political Philosophy of International Relations - Civil Association and International Society

This book argues that Michael Oakeshott's political philosophy contributes to current debates in normative international theory and international political theory on the historical, social, and moral dimension of international society. Davide Orsi contends that the theory of civil association may be the ground for an understanding of international society as a rule-based form of moral association constituted by customary international law. The book also considers the role of evolving practices of morality in debates on international justice. Orsi grounds this work on a study of Oakeshott's philosophical arguments and compares the Oakeshottian perspective to recent constructivist literature in International Relations.


Davide Orsi holds a PhD in Politics and International Relations from Cardiff University, UK. Previously, he studied at Fondazione Collegio San Carlo in Modena and at the University of Bologna. His research interests cover international political theory, legal theory, international relations theory and the history of political thought. He has published work in journals including the Journal of International Political Theory, Collingwood and British Idealism Studies, the European Legacy, and the British Journal for the History of Philosophy.