Lexington Books The Foreign Policy of John Rawls and Amartya Sen

The foreign policy writings of John Rawls and Amartya Sen provide insight and clarity into some of the most difficult problems confronting humanity. What is the most effective strategy of national defense? Does an effective strategy of national defense involve the possession of nuclear weapons? Why must the right to vote-and the right to health care and the right to an education and the right to employment-center the foreign policy of a democracy? These are questions Rawls and Sen raise and answer in their writings. This book describes the foreign policy of Rawls and Sen while building up towards a policy recommendation. Human rights protect civilians from heads of state and their armies-and the foreign policy of a democracy must promote human rights. But the nature of this recommendation is very specific. By redirecting some military spending to development goals, the core needs of more civilians can be better met while simultaneously advancing human security. http://www.bu.edu/today/2013/pov-nuclear-armament-is-a-lose-lose/ http://www.bu.edu/today/2014/pov-to-stop-bad-guys-ratify-the-united-nations-arms-trade-treaty/ Review This book provides a thorough overview of Rawls's views on foreign policy. Leavitt shows the continuing relevance of Rawls's political philosophy to contemporary discussions of foreign policy. By putting Rawls and Sen into dialogue with each other over issues such as defense, nuclear weapons, and foreign aid, Leavitt provides a helpful way to think about the work of these two great thinkers.--Serena Parekh, associate professor of philosophy, Northeastern University [This is a] clearly written, and easily digested book by Neal Leavitt. . . .Overall, it is easy to recommend Leavitt's book as a resource for those teaching The Law of Peoples. . . .For research scholars, this book, easily and quickly read, repays with not only some valuable foreign policy insights but also an important reminder of the historical and political context and concerns that ought to frame and inform foreign policy research.--Political Theory In times where violent conflicts and protests, sometimes amounting to civil war, conflicts on nuclear weapon programmes, and spy scandals causing mistrust between democracies dominate news reports, Neal Leavitt's book The Foreign Policy of John Rawls and Amartya Sen generates valuable insights into how the ideas of Rawls and Sen might make the foreign policy of democratic regimes 'a little better'--as Leavitt characterises the core of Rawls' political philosophy--and to understand the dynamics of world politics and their effect on the everyday life of people (44). . . .Leavitt makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of both Rawls and Sen in relation to one another, and generates insights into how both theories can help to understand and inform the foreign policies of democratic regimes.--E-International Relations Leavitt's analysis shows the importance and the limits of Rawls' theory of international relations, laying out Rawlsian theory and revealing its inconsistent remainders of political realism. Leavitt's is a Rawlsian project informed by the work of Amartya Sen, taking into account the facts of the real world and adhering to greater idealism in its principles than Rawls himself. It is important reading for anyone trying to think both idealistically and realistically about the problems facing the peoples of the world today.--Eileen Sweeney, Boston College In this engaging study, Neal Leavitt brings the foreign policy of John Rawls and Amartya Sen into sharper focus. In a thorough review of Rawls' late work and Sen's ongoing investigations, Leavitt argues that a foreign policy premised on the doctrine of political realism can have pernicious effects on domestic economies and the relationships between leaders and civilians. In Leavitt's work, Rawls and Sen emerge as essential voices to be reckoned with in discussions of globalization, security, and hum