Trust and international relations

Richard Ned Lebow*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The importance of classical sources and a social approach to understanding questions of international security is developed in this chapter, alongside the concepts of trust and deterrence, all important in Freedman’s scholarly world, especially his Strategy: A History. The study begins with Sophocles and Plato, linking trust to friendship, and viewing both trust and society as co-constitutive phenomena. While deterrence and realist models of international relations assume that trust is in short supply, following the great figures of ancient Greece, in reality, trust will be more widespread the more robust the society is. The chapter explores the importance of honor and reputation. It concludes, after Plato, that trust comes the demonstrable willingness to do things for friends that have nothing to do with one’s own goals. Treating others as friends builds security through co-constitutive interaction. This applies to societies and states, as well as individuals.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Art of Creating Power
Subtitle of host publicationFreedman on Strategy
PublisherOxford University Press
Pages243-258
Number of pages16
ISBN (Electronic)9780190851163
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2018

Keywords

  • Classics
  • Deterrence
  • Friendship
  • Interaction
  • Plato
  • Sophocles
  • Trust

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