Research on Valueism

Where liberal and constructivist theories often assume the convergence of values across states, I argue that legitimacy in international politics is shaped by persistent value pluralism. My in-progress book manuscript, Valueism: A Theory of Legitimacy in International Politics, develops this approach by demonstrating how different societies generate and defend value systems that structure their perceptions of security. This framework has direct implications for nuclear politics, as value pluralism informs debates over nuclear responsibility, proliferation norms, and the legitimacy of deterrence doctrines. By introducing valueism, I aim to create a new line of inquiry that will inspire both my own future research and a broader scholarly conversation, opening space for an entirely new generation of work on legitimacy, values, and international security.