Patricia Owens (academic)

Patricia Owens is a political theorist and international relations scholar specializing in the history of international thought, particularly in relation to peace, war, and utopianism. She is best known for her work exploring the intellectual history of international relations theory, challenging conventional narratives and highlighting previously marginalized voices and ideas.

Owens's research often focuses on reassessing the contributions of early international thinkers and movements, demonstrating the complex and multifaceted nature of debates surrounding war and peace throughout history. She examines the ways in which ideas about progress, civilization, and human nature have shaped international political thought and practice.

Owens has held academic positions at various universities and is a frequent contributor to scholarly journals and edited volumes in the fields of international relations, political theory, and intellectual history. Her scholarship has been influential in shaping contemporary debates about the nature and future of international order. Key themes explored in her work include:

• The history of pacifism and anti-war thought.
• Utopian visions of world order and their relationship to political realism.
• The role of emotions and affect in international politics.
• Reinterpreting classical thinkers and their relevance to contemporary global challenges.

Owens's work encourages a more nuanced and historically informed understanding of the concepts and assumptions that underpin the study of international relations.