Respect and Disrespect in International Relations
The analysis of respect could be relevant for foreign policy analysis and for the examination of processes of interactions: for foreign policy analysis, because it completes the actor’s tableau of goals and could deliver better explanations and for interaction process analysis, because it shows the transformation and escalation of conflicts in another perspective. In other words, it is expected that if respect is received the willingness for cooperation rises, while disrespect generates antagonism.
In this field of research interdisciplinary work is essential. Especially philosophy, sociology and social-psychology are important components, e.g. the inclusion of practical philosophy helps explaining just and unjust, because the experience of disrespect goes along with the feeling of injustice. Actors believe that they have always a moral claim for respect. Sociology and social-psychology help explaining the benefit for the analysis of aspects of status and the emotional dimension, which is for the experience of disrespect very important.
A monograph is currently in preparation.
Project-relevant links
Respecting foreign peoples: the limits of moral obligations, in: Journal of International Relations and Development 19:1 (2016)
Respect and Disrespect in International Politics, in: International Theory 3(1) 2011
Respekt, Solidarität und Kooperation in den internationalen Beziehungen, in Maull et al. 2009
Respekt. Ein unterschätzter Faktor in den Internationalen Beziehungen, ZIB 1/2008
Status Emotions in International Relations
These works can be understood as part of the "emotional turn" that the sub-discipline of International Relations has taken for several years. The focus is on the question of what consequences emotionalized perceptions of status have for foreign policy discourses and decisions, in particular how anger over disregard affects governments’ and publics’ willingness to engage in conflict and how experiences of humiliation generate national resentment.
Project-relevant links
Europe between China and America
This field of investigation deals with the possible consequences that a Cold War between the USA and China could have for Europe and the question of how Europe should position itself in such an environment. To this end, two workshops were held in Frankfurt (together with Sebastian Biba and Markus Liegl), which resulted in an edition and a special issue.
Project-relevant links
Europe in an Era of Growing Sino-American Competition: Coping with an Unstable Triangle, Routledge 2021 (coedited with Sebastian Biba)
Prof. Dr. Reinhard Wolf
Goethe-Universität Frankfurt a.M.
Faculty of Social Sciences
Institute for Political Science
Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 6
60323 Frankfurt on Main
Room: 3 G013
Tel. +49 69 798-36608
Fax: +49 69 798-28460
wolf@soz.uni-frankfurt.de
Office
Irene Opaterny
Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 6
60323 Frankfurt on Main
Room 3 G010
Tel. +49 69 798-36605
opaterny@soz.uni-frankfurt.de