This book provides a systematic and comprehensive overview of a subject that every thoughtful person wants to understand: world affairs. Though many attempts have been made to summarise this subject, all have so far resulted in no more than accounts of current events, issue-areas, and lists of ideologies or perspectives. For the first time it has proven possible, in the light of the assumptions that analysts and practitioners make with regard to human nature, human nurturing practices, and the cultural context of Enlightenment rationalism, to provide a clear and coherent account of the entire discipline. With this account it is evident at once not only what particular analysts or practitioners are saying but also what they are not saying. World Affairs represents, therefore, a superior textbook for graduate or undergraduate students, as well as a unique introduction for academics and general readers who want to know how analytical languages are used to articulate every relevant description, explanation and foreign policy prescription. Examples are drawn from the literature on the subject to exemplify each such language and attention is drawn throughout to their weaknesses and strengths.

ラルフ・ペットマンによる本作は、単なる国際情勢の概説に留まらず、知の地平を拡張する壮大な思索の旅です。著者は、啓蒙主義的な合理性や人間性の根源にまで遡り、我々が世界を解釈する際に用いる「分析的言語」の正体を鋭く暴き出します。語られることの裏に潜む「語られざる真実」を可視化するその手腕は、圧巻の一言に尽きます。 既存の枠組みを根底から揺さぶるこの一冊は、読者に世界を鳥瞰する新たな眼を与えてくれます。複雑に絡み合う情勢を一貫した理論体系で鮮やかに解き明かす筆致は、もはや芸術的なまでの完成度を誇ります。知的好奇心を極限まで刺激し、自らの思考の限界を突破したいと願うすべての人へ贈る、比類なき知的結晶です。