War in International Society - New Interpretations in International Relations

This book is an inquiry into the purpose of war as a social institution, as originally put forward by Hedley Bull. It offers a comprehensive examination of what is entailed in thinking of war as a social institution and as a mechanism for order, and how it is constituted across the evolution of international society. Since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the subject of war has become increasingly relevant. Questions about who can wage war against whom, the way war is fought, and the reasons that lead us to war have exposed fundamental inadequacies in our theorization of war.

War has long been considered in the discipline of International Relations in the context of the problem of order. However, the inclusion of war as an ‘institution’ is problematic for many. How can we understand an idea and practice so often associated with coercion, destruction, and disorder as contributing to order and coexistence? This study contends that an understanding of the core elements that establish the character of war as an institution of modern international society will give us important insights into the purpose, if any, of war in contemporary international relations.

The subject of war has become increasingly relevant since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, with questions about who can wage war against whom, the way war is fought, and the reasons that lead us to war. As such, this ground-breaking book will be of strong interest to students and scholars of international relations, international relations theory, the English school, security studies, and warfare.

Is war an institution of international society and how is it constituted as such across the evolution of international society?

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