693:"The Collective Trauma of International Relations The Atlantic Realists: Empire and International Political Thought Between Germany and the United States, by Matthew G. Specter, Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2022, xii + 321 pp., $ 30.00 (paperback), ISBN: 978-1-50-362996-7. From the Ashes of History: Collective Trauma and the Making of International Politics, by Adam B. Lerner, New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2022, 272 pp., $ 29.95 (paperback), ISBN: 978-0-19-762359-6.: The Atlantic Realists: Empire and International Political Thought Between Germany and the United States, by Matthew G. Specter, Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2022, xii + 321 pp., $ 30 (paperback), ISBN: 978-1-50-362996-7. From the Ashes of History: Collective Trauma and the Making of International Politics, by Adam B. Lerner, New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2022, 272 pp., $ 29.95 (paperback), ISBN: 978-0-19-762359-6"
176:, Emma Ashford described Specter's study of realism as "an impressive contribution" but found the lessons that he draws as "less convincing". While Ashford agreed with Specter that the classical realists of the 1950s sourced their ideas from earlier amoral or "less ethical" theories of international relations, she contested the idea that such borrowing would sabotage their arguments. The reviewer noted that many thinkers and philosophers "reach to past for inspiration and support" and that one shouldn't blame classical realists for seeking a "longer, more diverse lineage for their ideas".
164:, revealing the complex interplay of geopolitical analysis and national interest shaping realist perspectives. The book delves into the nuances of realist thought, including its entanglement with imperial aspirations and its reception in postwar American academia. Specter's comparative approach highlights the shared influences between German and American realists, offering insights into the intellectual and moral legacies of realism in international relations, and concluding that realist thought, in the past and in contemporary literature, is an "ideological justification for empire".
837:
29:
813:
223:
objective tool of analysis based on the ancient and immutable laws of international relations. Specter deftly demonstrates the ways in which realism developed through a two-way interchange between
Germany and the United States, as well as how the American definition of “geopolitical” realism as being particularly German prevented Americans from confronting the similarities of their imperial history with that of their Atlantic interlocutor.
777:
789:
479:"The Atlantic Realists: Empire and International Political Thought between Germany and the United States The Atlantic Realists: Empire and International Political Thought between Germany and the United States, by Matthew Specter, Stanford, Stanford University Press, 2022, 336 pp., ISBN: 978-1-5036-2996-7: by Matthew Specter, Stanford, Stanford University Press, 2022, 336 pp., ISBN: 978-1-5036-2996-7"
825:
801:
215:
Specter's meticulous research, which reveals the interconnectedness of geopolitical thought across the
Atlantic. Cerella also acknowledged the book's broader implications for understanding power relations and hopes it will contribute to a less obscured future in international relations, particularly in the face of growing threats of war.
139:, highlighting their relevance to understanding political thought. Specter critiqued the myth of realism as timeless wisdom, emphasizing its historical context and ideological dimensions. He underscored the transatlantic comparisons shaping realist thought, challenging narratives of American innocence and exceptionalism.
268:, highlighting the intertwined development of Atlantic Realists and their influence on international relations. However, Kelly suggested that recent scholarship has uncovered the exclusionary nature of realist thought, prompting a reevaluation of its imperial origins and implications for contemporary political teaching.
384:"The Atlantic realists: empire and international thought between Germany and the United StatesMatthew Specter, The Atlantic realists: empire and international thought between Germany and the United States (Stanford University Press, 2022), 336 pp.: Matthew Specter, (Stanford University Press, 2022), 336 pp"
287:
In his review, Michael C. Williams emphasized its significance in challenging conventional narratives of international political theory. While the reviewer appreciated the book's critique of realism's connections to geopolitics, he expressed reservations about completely rejecting realism, suggesting
275:
This is an important contribution by a scholar of modern German intellectual history to the growing literature (Udi
Greenberg, Nicolas Guilhot, Daniel Bessner, and, from a different angle, Stephen Wertheim) on the elective affinities and entangled German and American roots of Realism, here defined as
222:
Specter has written a truly excellent book that invites the reader to question their preconceived notions about a subject with which they probably felt familiar. Specter seeks to provide a genealogy of realism. In doing so, he posits that realism is a historical artifact, rather than a value-neutral,
304:
Specter is a Senior Fellow, Institute of
European Studies (IES) and a faculty affiliate at the Institute of International Studies, at UC Berkeley, an adjunct lecturer in History at Santa Clara University, and associate editor of the journal History and Theory. He is also a former Associate Professor
214:
Antonio
Cerella the book illuminating and essential, as it challenges the traditional narrative of realism's origins in international politics. Specter's historical analysis exposes the roots of realism in imperial aspirations and power dynamics between Germany and the United States. Cerella praised
147:
The book explores the evolution of realism in international political thought through challenging conventional interpretations. Specter traces the roots of realism to a transatlantic dialogue between
American and German intellectuals from the late 19th century, stressing its development amidst major
280:
Felix Rösch acknowledged
Specter's significant contribution to understanding the history of International Relations, particularly in highlighting the interconnections between German and American scholars from the 1920s to the 1950s. While praising Specter's comprehensive approach, Rösch also
227:
In his review of the book, Joshua Derman highlighted
Specter's approach to studying 20th century's American realism in international relations as a "German-American coproduction" instead of viewing it as a German import like other historians did, namely Nicolas Guilhot in his 2017 book
259:
Duncan Kelly praised
Specter for challenging conventional narratives of realism in political theory, particularly in the context of German and American political thought. Specter argues that the roots of realism lie in the concept of
518:"The Atlantic Realists: Empire and International Political Thought Between Germany and the United States By Matthew Specter. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2022. Pp. xii + 321. Paperback $ 30.00. ISBN: 978-1503629967"
255:
on shaping international relations as an academic discipline, on
American politicians and diplomats, and on Post-War American foreign policy with America as the most powerful and influential player in global affairs.
596:"The Atlantic Realists: Empire and International Political Thought between Germany and the United States. By Matthew Specter. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2022. 336p. $ 90.00 cloth, $ 30.00 paper"
28:
281:
questioned the characterization of all scholars discussed as realists, suggesting a nuanced examination of their intellectual and personal connections would be more appropriate.
353:
284:
F. Peter Wagner praised the book for its historical-critical reconstruction of the development of Realism in International Relations/Foreign Policy Analysis (IR/FPA).
187:'s study of offensive realism to that of Specter's detailed historical analysis. Mearsheimer traces back the roots of his theory to classic thinkers such as
929:
1080:
1075:
869:
909:
337:
1036:
1085:
98:
418:
111:
is a book by American historian, academic, and author Matthew G. Specter. It was published in 2022 by Stanford University Press.
354:"Realist Thought Between Empire-Building and Restraint: Matthew Specter on Why a Flawed Tradition Endures | Review of Democracy"
1070:
635:"Matthew Specter. The Atlantic Realists. Empire and International Political Thought Between Germany and the United States "
595:
517:
452:
767:
919:
890:
68:
862:
211:, and then to classic texts of American realism, revealing the "dark roots in the imperialist era" of realism.
1017:
1010:
557:": The Atlantic Realists: Empire and International Political Thought between Germany and the United States"
949:
195:, whereas Specter draws a line back from the late 19th century's naval historians and geographers such as
192:
235:
Davis Ellison emphasized praised Specter's for deeply studying and stressing the impact of thinkers like
855:
329:
The Atlantic Realists: Empire and International Political Thought Between Germany and the United States
108:
The Atlantic Realists: Empire and International Political Thought Between Germany and the United States
939:
817:
692:
478:
383:
252:
230:
After the Enlightenment: Political Realism and International Relations in the Mid-Twentieth Century
200:
172:
In her review of the book published by Foreign Affairs, and comparing it with Jonathan Kirshner's
992:
985:
673:
732:"The Atlantic realists: empire and international political thought between Germany and the USA"
276:
that International Relations (IR) school which offers guidance on geo-politics and world power.
751:
712:
654:
615:
576:
537:
498:
426:
399:
333:
93:
743:
704:
646:
607:
568:
529:
490:
391:
196:
184:
793:
634:
240:
236:
157:
132:
124:
829:
805:
556:
204:
788:
1064:
841:
248:
161:
136:
776:
878:
781:
244:
208:
153:
128:
708:
494:
395:
969:
265:
261:
747:
611:
533:
188:
180:
58:
755:
731:
716:
658:
619:
580:
541:
502:
430:
403:
327:
650:
977:
149:
50:
History, politics, European history, intellectual and cultural politics
572:
203:, to influential German politicians and legal theorists such as
851:
847:
218:
Steven J. Brady judged the book as thought-provoking and wrote:
271:
In her review of the book, Michaela Hoenicke Moore wrote:
288:
that there may still be valuable resources within it.
765:
1027:
1002:
961:
900:
305:
of History at Central Connecticut State University.
92:
84:
74:
64:
54:
46:
38:
453:"John Mearsheimer and the dark origins of realism"
863:
633:Moore, Michaela Hoenicke (December 5, 2023).
8:
21:
870:
856:
848:
730:Williams, Michael C. (September 1, 2023).
148:historical events like world wars and the
27:
20:
772:
332:. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
318:
297:
910:The Crisis of Parliamentary Democracy
7:
691:Wagner, F. Peter (October 2, 2023).
477:Cerella, Antonio (January 2, 2024).
377:
375:
127:, Specter discussed his interest in
1037:The Oxford Handbook of Carl Schmitt
417:Ashford, Emma (September 6, 2022).
382:Ellison, Davis (January 4, 2024).
152:. He examines key figures such as
14:
672:Rösch, Felix (February 5, 2023).
1081:Books about American politicians
835:
823:
811:
799:
787:
775:
674:"Review – The Atlantic Realists"
555:Derman, Joshua (March 1, 2024).
1076:Stanford University Press books
594:Kelly, Duncan (December 2022).
516:Brady, Steven J. (March 2024).
16:2022 book by Matthew G. Specter
639:The American Historical Review
1:
736:Contemporary Political Theory
709:10.1080/07393148.2023.2273056
561:The Journal of Modern History
495:10.1080/09592296.2024.2303900
451:Tooze, Adam (March 8, 2022).
425:. Vol. 101, no. 5.
396:10.1080/14682745.2023.2298011
920:The Concept of the Political
419:"In Praise of Lesser Evils"
1102:
748:10.1057/s41296-022-00591-4
483:Diplomacy & Statecraft
885:
678:E-International Relations
612:10.1017/S153759272200281X
534:10.1017/S0008938923001280
326:Specter, Matthew (2022).
119:In a 2022 interview with
69:Stanford University Press
26:
1086:Books about Carl Schmitt
600:Perspectives on Politics
522:Central European History
1011:Conservative Revolution
121:The Review of Democracy
1071:2022 non-fiction books
950:Theory of the Partisan
278:
225:
22:The Atlantic Realists
1047:The Atlantic Realists
697:New Political Science
273:
220:
940:Ex Captivitate Salus
1018:German conservatism
651:10.1093/ahr/rhad434
174:An Unwritten Future
23:
993:State of exception
986:Political theology
42:Matthew G. Specter
1058:
1057:
339:978-1-5036-0312-7
104:
103:
1093:
1051:
1041:
1020:
1013:
995:
988:
981:
972:
954:
944:
934:
924:
914:
893:
872:
865:
858:
849:
840:
839:
838:
828:
827:
826:
816:
815:
814:
804:
803:
802:
792:
791:
780:
779:
771:
760:
759:
727:
721:
720:
688:
682:
681:
669:
663:
662:
645:(4): 1943–1945.
630:
624:
623:
606:(4): 1427–1429.
591:
585:
584:
552:
546:
545:
513:
507:
506:
474:
468:
467:
465:
463:
448:
442:
441:
439:
437:
414:
408:
407:
388:Cold War History
379:
370:
369:
367:
365:
350:
344:
343:
323:
306:
302:
253:Nicholas Spykman
197:Friedrich Ratzel
76:Publication date
31:
24:
1101:
1100:
1096:
1095:
1094:
1092:
1091:
1090:
1061:
1060:
1059:
1054:
1044:
1034:
1023:
1016:
1009:
998:
991:
984:
975:
968:
957:
947:
937:
927:
917:
907:
896:
889:
881:
876:
846:
836:
834:
824:
822:
812:
810:
800:
798:
786:
774:
766:
764:
763:
729:
728:
724:
690:
689:
685:
671:
670:
666:
632:
631:
627:
593:
592:
588:
554:
553:
549:
515:
514:
510:
476:
475:
471:
461:
459:
450:
449:
445:
435:
433:
423:Foreign Affairs
416:
415:
411:
381:
380:
373:
363:
361:
352:
351:
347:
340:
325:
324:
320:
315:
310:
309:
303:
299:
294:
237:Hans Morgenthau
179:In his review,
170:
158:Hans Morgenthau
145:
133:Hans Morgenthau
117:
77:
34:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1099:
1097:
1089:
1088:
1083:
1078:
1073:
1063:
1062:
1056:
1055:
1053:
1052:
1042:
1031:
1029:
1025:
1024:
1022:
1021:
1014:
1006:
1004:
1000:
999:
997:
996:
989:
982:
973:
965:
963:
959:
958:
956:
955:
945:
935:
925:
915:
904:
902:
898:
897:
895:
894:
886:
883:
882:
877:
875:
874:
867:
860:
852:
845:
844:
832:
820:
808:
796:
784:
762:
761:
742:(3): 125–128.
722:
703:(4): 650–653.
683:
664:
625:
586:
573:10.1086/728549
567:(1): 173–174.
547:
528:(1): 101–102.
508:
489:(1): 228–230.
469:
443:
409:
371:
345:
338:
317:
316:
314:
311:
308:
307:
296:
295:
293:
290:
205:Karl Haushofer
169:
166:
144:
141:
116:
113:
102:
101:
96:
90:
89:
86:
82:
81:
80:February, 2022
78:
75:
72:
71:
66:
62:
61:
56:
52:
51:
48:
44:
43:
40:
36:
35:
32:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1098:
1087:
1084:
1082:
1079:
1077:
1074:
1072:
1069:
1068:
1066:
1049:
1048:
1043:
1039:
1038:
1033:
1032:
1030:
1026:
1019:
1015:
1012:
1008:
1007:
1005:
1001:
994:
990:
987:
983:
980:
979:
974:
971:
967:
966:
964:
960:
952:
951:
946:
942:
941:
936:
932:
931:
926:
922:
921:
916:
912:
911:
906:
905:
903:
899:
892:
888:
887:
884:
880:
873:
868:
866:
861:
859:
854:
853:
850:
843:
833:
831:
821:
819:
818:United States
809:
807:
797:
795:
790:
785:
783:
778:
773:
769:
757:
753:
749:
745:
741:
737:
733:
726:
723:
718:
714:
710:
706:
702:
698:
694:
687:
684:
679:
675:
668:
665:
660:
656:
652:
648:
644:
640:
636:
629:
626:
621:
617:
613:
609:
605:
601:
597:
590:
587:
582:
578:
574:
570:
566:
562:
558:
551:
548:
543:
539:
535:
531:
527:
523:
519:
512:
509:
504:
500:
496:
492:
488:
484:
480:
473:
470:
458:
457:New Statesman
454:
447:
444:
432:
428:
424:
420:
413:
410:
405:
401:
397:
393:
389:
385:
378:
376:
372:
360:. May 6, 2022
359:
355:
349:
346:
341:
335:
331:
330:
322:
319:
312:
301:
298:
291:
289:
285:
282:
277:
272:
269:
267:
263:
257:
254:
250:
249:Wilhelm Grewe
246:
242:
238:
233:
231:
224:
219:
216:
212:
210:
206:
202:
198:
194:
190:
186:
182:
177:
175:
167:
165:
163:
162:Wilhelm Grewe
159:
155:
151:
142:
140:
138:
137:Wilhelm Grewe
134:
130:
126:
122:
114:
112:
110:
109:
100:
99:9781503629967
97:
95:
91:
87:
83:
79:
73:
70:
67:
63:
60:
57:
53:
49:
45:
41:
37:
30:
25:
19:
1046:
1045:
1035:
976:
948:
938:
930:Land and Sea
928:
918:
908:
901:Publications
891:Bibliography
879:Carl Schmitt
739:
735:
725:
700:
696:
686:
677:
667:
642:
638:
628:
603:
599:
589:
564:
560:
550:
525:
521:
511:
486:
482:
472:
460:. Retrieved
456:
446:
434:. Retrieved
422:
412:
387:
362:. Retrieved
357:
348:
328:
321:
300:
286:
283:
279:
274:
270:
264:rather than
258:
245:Carl Schmitt
241:Edmund Walsh
234:
229:
226:
221:
217:
213:
209:Carl Schmitt
201:Alfred Mahan
178:
173:
171:
154:Carl Schmitt
146:
129:Carl Schmitt
125:Ferenc LaczĂł
120:
118:
107:
106:
105:
18:
1028:Works about
970:Decisionism
266:Realpolitik
262:Weltpolitik
193:Machiavelli
185:Mearsheimer
1065:Categories
313:References
189:Thucydides
181:Adam Tooze
123:'s editor
115:Background
59:Nonfiction
756:1476-9336
717:0739-3148
659:0002-8762
620:1537-5927
581:0022-2801
542:0008-9389
503:0959-2296
431:0015-7120
404:1468-2745
364:April 27,
292:Footnotes
183:compared
65:Publisher
978:Katechon
962:Concepts
794:Politics
150:Cold War
143:Synopsis
1003:Schools
830:Germany
806:History
768:Portals
462:May 20,
436:May 20,
390:: 1–3.
168:Reviews
47:Subject
1050:(2022)
1040:(2017)
953:(1963)
943:(1950)
933:(1942)
923:(1932)
913:(1923)
842:Europe
754:
715:
657:
618:
579:
540:
501:
429:
402:
358:RevDem
336:
251:, and
160:, and
135:, and
39:Author
782:Books
85:Pages
55:Genre
33:Cover
752:ISSN
713:ISSN
655:ISSN
616:ISSN
577:ISSN
538:ISSN
499:ISSN
464:2024
438:2024
427:ISSN
400:ISSN
366:2024
334:ISBN
207:and
199:and
191:and
94:ISBN
744:doi
705:doi
647:doi
643:128
608:doi
569:doi
530:doi
491:doi
392:doi
88:336
1067::
750:.
740:22
738:.
734:.
711:.
701:45
699:.
695:.
676:.
653:.
641:.
637:.
614:.
604:20
602:.
598:.
575:.
565:96
563:.
559:.
536:.
526:57
524:.
520:.
497:.
487:35
485:.
481:.
455:.
421:.
398:.
386:.
374:^
356:.
247:,
243:,
239:,
232:.
156:,
131:,
871:e
864:t
857:v
770::
758:.
746::
719:.
707::
680:.
661:.
649::
622:.
610::
583:.
571::
544:.
532::
505:.
493::
466:.
440:.
406:.
394::
368:.
342:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
