Taking Both Biology and International Law Seriously: Evolutionary Biology, Neo-Realist Theories of International Relations, and the Promise(S) of International Law

61 Pages Posted: 15 Feb 2004

See all articles by John K. Setear

John K. Setear

University of Virginia School of Law

Date Written: December 2003

Abstract

Borrowing from theories of evolutionary biology and natural selection, neo-realist theorists of international relations assert that states in the international system must either conduct rational, egoistic foreign policies or perish. This paper argues that these neo-realist arguments are misguided. Both logic and empirical evidence undermines the neo-realist claim that low rates of state "death" show high selection pressure in the international system. Furthermore, neo-realist arguments are inconsistent with theories of evolutionary biology concerned with small populations ("genetic drift"), with extinctions concentrated in space and time ("punctuated equilibrium"), and with the fittest mode of reproduction (sexual vs. asexual) in complex and interdependent environments. The shortcomings of neo-realist theories of international relations leave plenty of scope for international law as one method among many viable methods of international cooperation.

Keywords: international law, international relations theory, evolutionary biology, natural selection, neo-realism, evolution of cooperation, institutionalism

Suggested Citation

Setear, John K., Taking Both Biology and International Law Seriously: Evolutionary Biology, Neo-Realist Theories of International Relations, and the Promise(S) of International Law (December 2003). UVA School of Law, Public Law Working Paper No. 03-19, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=460001 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.460001

John K. Setear (Contact Author)

University of Virginia School of Law ( email )

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