An Introduction to the English School of International Relations

This outstanding book is the first comprehensive introduction to the English School of International Relations. Written by leading ES scholar Barry Buzan, it expertly guides readers through the English School s formative ideas, intellectual and historical roots, current controversies and future avenues of development. Part One sets out the English School s origins and development, explaining its central concepts and methodological tools, and placing it within the broader canon of IR theory. Part Two offers a detailed account of the historical, regional and social structural strands of the English School, explaining the important link between the school s historical projects and its interest in a societal approach to international relations. Part Three explores the School s responses to the enduring problems of order and justice, and highlights the changing balance between pluralist and solidarist institutions in the evolution of international society over the past five centuries. The book concludes with a discussion of the English School s ongoing controversies and debates, and identifies opportunities for further research. For students new to the topic this book will provide an accessible and balanced overview, whilst those already familiar with the ES will be prompted to look afresh at their own understanding of its significance and potentiality.

This outstanding book is the first comprehensive introduction tothe English School of International Relations. Written by leadingES scholar Barry Buzan, it expertly guides readers through theEnglish School's formative ideas, intellectual and historicalroots, current controversies and future avenues of development.Part One sets out the English School's origins anddevelopment, explaining its central concepts and methodologicaltools, and placing it within the broader canon of IR theory. PartTwo offers a detailed account of the historical, regional andsocial structural strands of the English School, explaining theimportant link between the school's historical projects andits interest in a societal approach to international relations.Part Three explores the School's responses to the enduringproblems of order and justice, and highlights the changing balancebetween pluralist and solidarist institutions in the evolution ofinternational society over the past five centuries. The bookconcludes with a discussion of the English School's ongoingcontroversies and debates, and identifies opportunities for furtherresearch.For students new to the topic this book will provide an accessibleand balanced overview, whilst those already familiar with the ESwill be prompted to look afresh at their own understanding of itssignificance and potentiality.

Foreword viiPart I Background and Context 1Introduction 31 The Evolution of the English School 52 Key Concepts 123 Theories and Methodologies 21Conclusions to Part I 39Part II The Historical/Structural Orientation 41Introduction 434 International Society in World History 475 The Expansion of European International Society 60Conclusions to Part II: Theorizing International Society asSocial Structure 78Part III Normative Orientations: Pluralism and Solidarism 81Introduction 836 Classical Pluralism and its Successors 897 Pluralism in Historical Perspective 978 Classical Solidarism and its Successors 1139 Solidarism in Historical Perspective 134Conclusions to Part III 16410 Ongoing Debates and Emergent Agendas 168Notes 188References 194Index 223