Manchester University Press
1 Introduction to the question of world-political time
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Kimberly Hutchings
Abstract
This chapter introduces the main arguments of the book and offers some preliminary arguments for why conceptions of time matter in theories of world politics. The first section examines the concept of time, and differentiates two aspects of temporal categorisation: chromos and kairos. It then goes on to offer a brief account of how both of these aspects have played a part in three familiar ways of conceptualising political time, in terms of narratives of repetition, progress and decline. The second section addresses the category of ‘world politics’, and traces the ways in which these familiar narratives of political time have figured in theories of international relations, globalisation and postmodernity. The third section outlines the argument of the rest of the book.
Abstract
This chapter introduces the main arguments of the book and offers some preliminary arguments for why conceptions of time matter in theories of world politics. The first section examines the concept of time, and differentiates two aspects of temporal categorisation: chromos and kairos. It then goes on to offer a brief account of how both of these aspects have played a part in three familiar ways of conceptualising political time, in terms of narratives of repetition, progress and decline. The second section addresses the category of ‘world politics’, and traces the ways in which these familiar narratives of political time have figured in theories of international relations, globalisation and postmodernity. The third section outlines the argument of the rest of the book.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Dedication viii
-
Part I Theories of World-Political Time
- 1 Introduction to the question of world-political time 3
- 2 From fortune to history 28
- 3 Against historicism 54
-
Part II Diagnosing the Times
- 4 Prophecies and predictions 81
- 5 Time for democracy 106
- 6 Apocalyptic times 130
- 7 Thinking the present 154
- Bibliography 178
- Index 193
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Dedication viii
-
Part I Theories of World-Political Time
- 1 Introduction to the question of world-political time 3
- 2 From fortune to history 28
- 3 Against historicism 54
-
Part II Diagnosing the Times
- 4 Prophecies and predictions 81
- 5 Time for democracy 106
- 6 Apocalyptic times 130
- 7 Thinking the present 154
- Bibliography 178
- Index 193
