Political Theory and International Relations, published in 1979, established the intellectual foundation for contemporary global justice studies. This seminal text, authored by Charles Beitz, examined the moral implications of international structures and resource distribution, applying a cosmopolitan interpretation to John Rawls’s domestic theory of justice as fairness to address obligations beyond national boundaries.
Academic Formation
Born in 1949, Beitz completed his undergraduate education at Colgate University, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in history. He subsequently earned a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Michigan before attending Princeton University. There, he obtained both a master's degree and a Ph.D. in politics while engaging in the Program in Political Philosophy under the supervision of Thomas Scanlon and Dennis Thompson.
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His career in higher education began at Swarthmore College, where he served from 1976 to 1991 and chaired the political science department. In 1991, he transitioned to Bowdoin College to serve as dean for academic affairs and professor of government and legal studies. He rejoined the faculty at Princeton University in 2001, eventually assuming the Edwards S. Sanford Chair in 2006. At Princeton, he has directed the University Center for Human Values and overseen graduate studies within the Department of Politics.
Global Justice Research
Beitz has contributed extensively to the literature on international political theory. Beyond his 1979 book, his scholarship includes Political Equality: An Essay in Democratic Theory, published in 1989, and The Idea of Human Rights, released in 2009. The latter work received the Estoril Global Issues Book Award in 2011. He has also edited the journal Philosophy and Public Affairs for over a decade, between 1999 and 2010.
Institutional Recognition
Throughout his career, Beitz has held visiting positions at institutions including Harvard University, Columbia University, Oxford University, Stanford University, and the New York University School of Law. His work has been supported by fellowships from the Rockefeller Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the American Council of Learned Societies. In 2008, he was elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Fast facts
- Born: 1949
- Undergraduate degree: Colgate University
- Doctoral degree: Princeton University
- Current position: Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Politics, Princeton University
- Primary research field: Global justice and international relations
- Notable book: Political Theory and International Relations (1979)
- Professional membership: American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Language: English
Questions readers ask
What is Charles Beitz's most significant contribution to political theory?
He is primarily known for his application of Rawlsian justice to the international sphere, articulated in his 1979 book, Political Theory and International Relations.
Which academic institutions has Beitz served as a faculty member?
He has held academic appointments at Swarthmore College, Bowdoin College, and Princeton University.
Achievements
- Held posts at Princeton University, Bowdoin College and Swarthmore College
- Fields: international relations
