Foreign Policy of John Rawls and Amartya Sen

The foreign policy writings of John Rawls and Amartya Sen provide insight and clarity into some of the most difficult problems confronting humanity. What is the most effective strategy of national defense? Does an effective strategy of national defense involve the possession of nuclear weapons? Why must the right to vote—and the right to health care and the right to an education and the right to employment—center the foreign policy of a democracy? These are questions Rawls and Sen raise and answer in their writings. This book describes the foreign policy of Rawls and Sen while building up towards a policy recommendation. Human rights protect civilians from heads of state and their armies—and the foreign policy of a democracy must promote human rights. But the nature of this recommendation is very specific. By redirecting some military spending to development goals, the core needs of more civilians can be better met while simultaneously advancing human security. http://www.bu.edu/today/2013/pov-nuclear-armament-is-a-lose-lose/ http://www.bu.edu/today/2014/pov-to-stop-bad-guys-ratify-the-united-nations-arms-trade-treaty/

[This is a] clearly written, and easily digested book by Neal Leavitt. . . .Overall, it is easy to recommend Leavitt’s book as a resource for those teaching The Law of Peoples. . . .For research scholars, this book, easily and quickly read, repays with not only some valuable foreign policy insights but also an important reminder of the historical and political context and concerns that ought to frame and inform foreign policy research., In times where violent conflicts and protests, sometimes amounting to civil war, conflicts on nuclear weapon programmes, and spy scandals causing mistrust between democracies dominate news reports, Neal Leavitt’s book The Foreign Policy of John Rawls and Amartya Sen generates valuable insights into how the ideas of Rawls and Sen might make the foreign policy of democratic regimes 'a little better'—as Leavitt characterises the core of Rawls’ political philosophy—and to understand the dynamics of world politics and their effect on the everyday life of people (44). . . .Leavitt makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of both Rawls and Sen in relation to one another, and generates insights into how both theories can help to understand and inform the foreign policies of democratic regimes., Neal Leavitt offers a lucid and timely analysis of the political philosophies of John Rawls and Amartya Sen and the alternatives they offer to realist foreign policies that have perpetuated international hostilities and war. Leavitt’s important and highly relevant study illuminates perspectives that will help readers sift through complex political and philosophical debates concerning nuclear proliferation, justifications for war, and basic human rights, such as the rights to health care, food and education. If our political leaders thought this clearly and wisely, the world would be a far better place., In this concise, clearly written book, Neal Leavitt discusses ideas from the writings of John Rawls and Amartya Sen and applies them to a wide range of central issues in both foreign and domestic policy. This very readable book is rich both in its consideration of political theory and in its treatment of real world problems, ranging from education and health care to nuclear weapons., This book provides a thorough overview of Rawls’s views on foreign policy. Leavitt shows the continuing relevance of Rawls’s political philosophy to contemporary discussions of foreign policy. By putting Rawls and Sen into dialogue with each other over issues such as defense, nuclear weapons, and foreign aid, Leavitt provides a helpful way to think about the work of these two great thinkers.

Neal Leavitt is a lecturer in the humanities at Boston University. He received his doctorate in philosophy from Boston College and his bachelor of arts in philosophy from Harvard University.