Hans Kelsen's Political Realism - by Robert Schuett (Paperback)

About the Book

In a lively account of Kelsen's life and political thinking, Robert Schuett introduces him as a political realist and brings his thought on human nature, the state and war into productive tension with today's Schmittians and conventional views of foreign policy realism.

Book Synopsis

This book is the first work to show this iconic legal philosopher's significance as a progressive political realist. In a lively account of Kelsen's life and political thinking, Robert Schuett introduces him as a political realist and brings his thought on human nature, the state and war into productive tension with today's Schmittians and conventional views of foreign policy realism.
At a precarious moment in world history, where Western liberal principles are challenged by visions of illiberal democracy at home and abroad, this new reading of the Pure theory of law, state and international legal order is a timely defense of the ideals of an open society through a realistic style of politics.

From the Back Cover

Challenging conventional views of Hans Kelsen and foreign-policy realism in International Relations theory This book is the first work to show this iconic legal philosopher's significance as a progressive political realist. In a lively account of Kelsen's life and political thinking, Robert Schuett introduces him as a political realist and brings his thought on human nature, the state and war into productive tension with today's Schmittians and conventional views of foreign policy realism. At a precarious moment in world history, where Western liberal principles are challenged by visions of illiberal democracy at home and abroad, this new reading of the Pure theory of law, state and international legal order is a timely defense of the ideals of an open society through a realistic style of politics. Robert Schuett is a Visiting Fellow in the Department of Political Science at the University of Salzburg.

Review Quotes

A totally unexpected Kelsen - Biographical. Philosophical. A light on our times.--George Soros, Founder, Open Society Foundations, New York

Hans Kelsen lived through it all, and when you read his work through his life, as Robert Schuett does here, you earn a privileged insight into what was at stake in the 20th century, and why. As that 20th century drips on, you will want to pay attention to this.--Miles Hollingworth

In this engaging account of Hans Kelsen's life and work, Robert Schuett shows how Kelsen's methodological individualism resolves the antinomies of form and force, law and politics, the state and human nature, pure theory and responsible realism, thus anchoring a powerful alternative to Carl Schmitt's organic conception of rule.--Nicholas G. Onuf, Florida International University

Presents a new Kelsen: the progressive political realist. A major step forwards for Kelsen scholarship.--Clemens Jabloner, former Vice-Chancellor and Justice Minister of Austria

Robert Schuett's account is a pioneering and fascinating insight into the political vision and commitment of one of the most important intellectual figures of the 20th century. It is a brilliant and sophisticated portrayal of Hans Kelsen as a political theorist and actor and makes a compelling case for his continued political relevance.--Peter M.R. Stirk, Durham University

Schuett, in this accessible and exciting book, brings this grand figure out from the shadows.--Stephen P. Turner, University of South Florida

Very timely. A new rendering of this iconic Austrian-American's life and thought: Hans Kelsen on war and peace.--Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch, President of the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation, Vienna

About the Author

Robert Schuett is a Visiting Fellow in the Department of Political Science at the University of Salzburg. He has a Ph.D. from the School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University. His research and teaching interests are International Relations theory and foreign-policy realism. Recent publications include The Edinburgh Companion to Political Realism (Edinburgh University Press, 2018) and The Concept of the State in International Relations (Edinburgh University Press, 2015). He lives and works in Vienna.