The Problem of Harm in World Politics Theoretical Investigations

'A seminal intervention, drawing together, and brilliantly refashioning, insights from Eliasian historical sociology and English School International Relations. The result not only advances these theories onto new terrain, but creates a novel research agenda that should refashion the disciplines of Sociology and IR in new and exciting ways.' John M. Hobson, University of Sheffield 'One of the most important contributions to the study of international relations in decades, Linklater's book does not moralise or philosophise about the harm that states do to each other. Instead, in a spirit of factual research, Linklater, connecting the English School of international relations with Norbert Elias's theory of civilising processes, shows how and why standards of conduct in international affairs have changed and are changing over time.' Stephen Mennell, University College Dublin '... this book is to be welcomed. It reaffirms Linklater's reputation as one of the leading social and political theorists working in the world today. We know that violence will continue, but Linklater gives us some resources for understanding how efforts to prevent such harms will intersect with larger dynamics in international politics.' Anthony F. Laing, Jr, International Affairs