Friendship and International Relations: A multilevel analysis of international friendship

This doctoral research topic will explore the issue of friendship in international relations on an empirical and theoretical level. While political philosophy has seen much and important research done on the links between friendship and politics (ranging from Plato and Aristotle, to Kant, Schmitt, and Derrida), in the field of international relations (IR) the term ‘friendship’ has rather been loosely applied to empirical studies but lacking a precise definition or thorough analytical consideration. The dominant view of international politics as a realm of security, distrust, power, and rationality has prevented more rigorous research on the role of friendship and emotions in IR.

This research project is therefore theoretically and empirically concerned with instances in which states develop relationships of international friendship as a phenomenon that takes place on a multiplicity of levels. As such, a multilevel analysis of international friendship and its impact on international politics may not be confined to the more traditionally defined sub-fields of international relations. This project seeks to give the opportunity to an outstanding PhD candidate with a bold and innovative research proposal to make a core contribution to this still underexplored area.