`Survival Research' and the `Planetary Interest': Carrying Forward the Thoughts of John Herz

Abstract

John Herz pioneered global thinking in international relations in the mid-twentieth century with his advocacy of `survival research'. The `planetary interest' reflects similar thinking. The `vital planetary interest' identifies fundamental issues of human survival, emphasising legitimate global policy-making and enforcement power. Global policies require a pursuit of the `legitimate national interest'. This approach to IR carries revolutionary implications for the traditional political process (national policy-making) and diplomatic method (international negotiating). The conceptual framework of the `planetary interest' should be placed in a broader jurisprudential framework of `global constitutionalism'. Further work is required to develop `survival research' and the `planetary interest'.