The Evolution of International Society : A Comparative Historical Analysis Reissue with a New Introduction by Barry Buzan and Richard Little

Adam Watson, who died in 2007, was a former diplomat who in his later academic career became a pioneer of the discipline of international relations. Originally published in 1992, The Evolution of International Society made a major contribution to international theory and to our perception of how relations between states operate, and established Watson’s place within the canon. This acclaimed and uniquely comprehensive work explains how international societies function across time, starting by examining the ancient state systems before turning to look in detail at the current worldwide international society. The book demonstrates that relations between states are not normally anarchic, but are in fact organized and regulated by elaborate rules and practices. In this timely reissue, a new introduction by Barry Buzan and Richard Little assesses Adam Watson's career as a diplomat and examines how his work as a practitioner shaped his subsequent thinking about the nature of international society. It then contextualises Watson's original work, situates it alongside current work in the area and identifies the originality of Watson's key arguments, helping us to understand Watson’s place within the canon. `This is a real feast of a book.... a landmark book. It is clear enough to be used as a teaching text, and could make an excellent introduction to the discipline for those courageous enough to revise their courses.'International Affairs`This is a bold, successful and valuable book... It is written with admirable clarity and merciful conciseness.'International Relations`A stunning success. Watson's book is a masterful piece of theoretical and historical analysis.'John A. Vasquez, Rutgers UniversityAdam Watson, who died in 2007, was a former diplomat who in his later academic career became a pioneer of the discipline of international relations. Originally published in 1992, The Evolution of International Society made a major contribution to international theory and to our perception of how relations between states operate, and established Watson's place within the canon.This acclaimed and uniquely comprehensive work explains how international societies function across time, starting by examining the ancient state systems before turning to look in detail at the current worldwide international society. The book demonstrates that relations between states are not normally anarchic, but are in fact organized and regulated by elaborate rules and practices.In this timely reissue, a new introduction by Barry Buzan and Richard Little assesses Adam Watson's career as a diplomat and examines how his work as a practitioner shaped his subsequent thinking about the nature of international society. It then contextualises Watson's original work, situates it alongside current work in the area and identifies the originality of Watson's key arguments, helping us to understand Watson's place within the canon. Dedication Contents Introduction to the 2009 reissue • Barry Buzan and Richard Little Introduction 1. Scope and definitions The ancient states systems Preface 2. Sumer: the original states system 3. Assyria: the first near eastern empire 4. Persia: imperial moderation 5. Classical Greece: independence and hegemony 6. The Macedonian system: hellenization of the Persian system 7. India: multiple independences and the Mauryan Empire 8. China: hegemony, warring states and empire 9. Rome: the final classical imperial synthesis 10. The Byzantine Oikumene 11. The Islamic system: adaptation of many traditions 12. The ancient states systems: some theoretical implications The European international society Preface 13. Medieval Europe: the originality of Latin Christendom 14. The Renaissance in Italy: the stato 15. The Renaissance in Europe: the stato outside Italy 16. The Habsburg bid for hegemony 17. Westphalia: an anti-hegemonial commonwealth of states 18. The age of reason and of balance 19. European expansion: overseas and overland 20. The Napoleonic Empire 21. Collective hegemony: the nineteenth-century Concert of Europe Summary The global international society 22. The European system becomes worldwide 23. The collapse of European domination 24. The age of the superpowers and decolonization 25. The contemporary international society: heir to the past Conclusion Epilogue: Some indications for the future Bibliography Index Important terms and concepts Important names and places In this uniquely comprehensive historical study, Adam Watson draws on a lifetime of research and diplomatic experience to explain how international societies function. He examines the systems of ancient states, from Sumer through India, China, Greece, Rome, and Islam, and conducts an in-depth analysis of the worldwide contemporary society which developed from them. The Evolution of International Society describes and compares the changing rules and practices of ancient systems, showing their development within a spectrum ranging from loose international societies of many independent states ordered by some degree of hegemony, to tighter imperial systems tempered by some measure of autonomy. The book demonstrates in convincing detail that political entities have usually co-existed, not in an anarchic state of nature, but organized by agreed rules and practices that derive substantially from past experience. The author also shows that our present international society, although distinct, is only the latest in a series. Lucidly and straightforwardly written, with a strong emphasis on practice, the book makes a major contribution to international theory and to our understanding of international relations. Adam Watson. Reissue With A New Introduction By Barry Buzan And Richard Little. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.