“Gekouzoulis’s interpretation of Hegel is both innovative and incisive, yet engaging; he fundamentally challenges the over-simplifications that international relations theorists have imposed upon Hegel. He demonstrates that Hegel emphasizes the mutual interaction between theoretical subject and object, thereby transcending the polarized dualism prevalent in contemporary theories that view the world solely from a single perspective. His reconstruction of Hegel’s epistemology paves the way for a more effective application of this foundational theorist’s ideas.”
—Professor Richard Ned Lebow, a distinguished political psychologist and scholar of international relations, an authority in the fields of international relations theory, political psychology, and history, renowned for his reconceptualizations of crisis negotiation, deterrence theory, and the classical realist tradition. He is Professor Emeritus of International Political Theory at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London; James O. Freedman Presidential Professor Emeritus at Dartmouth College; and an Honorary Fellow of Pembroke College, University of Cambridge. He was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2017. His major works include “Why Nations Go to War?”, “A Cultural Theory of International Relations”, “The Tragic Vision of Politics: Ethics, Interests, and Order”, “Farewell to Hegemony! Power and Influence in the Global System”, “Between Peace and War: The Nature of International Crises”, and “Avoiding War, Making Peace”, among others.

“This book corrects the overly simplistic applications of Hegel’s writings within the field of international relations and develops a novel theory concerning the tragedy of the contemporary world, human rights, and political action.”
—Professor Kimberly Hutchings, a leading scholar in the field of international relations theory and Professor of Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary University of London. She has conducted extensive research and published widely on international political theory, with her work spanning the philosophies of Kant and Hegel, international and global ethics, feminist theory and philosophy, as well as politics and violence. Her publications include “Kant, Critique, and Politics”, “International Political Theory”, “Hegel and Feminist Philosophy”, “Time and World Politics”, and “An Introduction to Global Ethics”, among others. She has received numerous honors, including the inaugural UK International Studies Distinguished Contribution Award, the Outstanding Scholar Awards from the Theory and Ethics Sections of the International Studies Association, the Isaiah Berlin Prize, and the Best Edited Volume Award from the International Studies Association.

★ A work by Athanasios Gouzoulis, Assistant Professor at the University of London and holder of an MPhil in Politics and International Relations from the University of Cambridge! Grounded in Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit, Principles of the Philosophy of Right, and ancient Greek tragedy, this book corrects the oversimplified misreadings of Hegel prevalent in the field of international relations. Employing dialectics and internal critique, it transcends binary oppositions, offering a more inclusive and constructive analytical framework for understanding our polarized world.
★ Highly recommended by Professor Richard Ned Lebow, Fellow of the British Academy and a leading authority in international relations theory, political psychology, and history—Emeritus Professor at King’s College London and author of such seminal works as Why Nations Go to War?, The Culture of International Relations, and Avoiding War, Making Peace—and by Professor Kimberly Hutchings, a preeminent scholar in international relations theory, Professor of Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary University of London, and recipient of the UK’s Distinguished Contribution to International Studies Award.
★ Confronting reality while empowering critical thinking; offering an authoritative reconfiguration that opens up new theoretical frontiers! This book transforms abstract philosophy into transferable tools of thought, helping scholars and readers discern possibilities for reconciliation amid conflict and reconstruct a nuanced understanding of the relationship between the universal and the particular in an age of division. It is a dynamic contribution that directly enriches the teaching of international relations, political philosophy, and critical theory.

This book reintroduces Hegel’s philosophy into the field of international relations theory. The author, Gkouzioulis, moves beyond traditional realist and constructivist explanations, drawing on Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit, Encyclopedia of the Philosophical Sciences, Philosophy of Right, as well as his analyses of ancient Greek tragedy, to develop novel epistemological insights.
This innovative approach challenges monolithic research methodologies while shedding light on contemporary issues ranging from human rights to (international) law. By examining how epistemological dualism leads to an incomplete understanding of the public and private spheres of universality and particularity, the book demonstrates how Hegel’s dialectic can enrich critical theory in international relations. It is essential reading for scholars of international relations theory, political philosophy, and critical theory who seek a complex analytical framework for comprehending our polarized world through internal critique and self-reflection.

Athanasios Gotsioulis
Athanasios is an Assistant Professor at the University of London’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He holds a Master’s degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Cambridge and a PhD from King’s College London.
He has accumulated valuable teaching and administrative experience at prestigious institutions such as the University of Nottingham, the London School of Economics (LSE), King’s College London (KCL), the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), and Birkbeck College. As an Assistant Professor and lecturer, he has extensive teaching experience in the fields of politics and international relations, developing a cross-disciplinary teaching and research background.
He was once an exchange researcher at the National University of Singapore, and during his five-year tenure at the University of Nottingham’s Malaysian campus, he focused on Southeast Asian studies. His professional experience spans not only academia but also the military and the corporate sector, which has enhanced his administrative and organizational skills while deepening his understanding of socio-political issues from non-academic perspectives. Before entering academia, Athanasios worked at Edelman, specializing in public affairs and corporate communications.
He has published peer-reviewed articles in journals such as the International Journal of Asian Studies (Cambridge University Press), the Journal of International Relations and Development (Springer), and Global Society (Taylor & Francis).

1. Hegel, Epistemology, Dualism, and (International) Political Theory
2. Revisiting Hegel’s Contributions to International Relations: On Hegel’s Epistemological Insights
3. Tragedy, Self-Awareness, and Free Will
4. Dualism, (Natural) Law, (Human Rights), and Re-Cognition [An-Erkennen]
Epilogue: Idolizing the Wrong (Tragic) Hero? Antigone, Haemon, Re-Cognition, and LGSM