Barry Buzan 
An Introduction to the English School of International Relations 
The Societal Approach

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.

قائمة المحتويات

Foreword vii

Part I Background and Context 1

Introduction 3

1 The Evolution of the English School 5

2 Key Concepts 12

3 Theories and Methodologies 21

Conclusions to Part I 39

Part II The Historical/Structural Orientation 41

Introduction 43

4 International Society in World History 47

5 The Expansion of European International Society 60

Conclusions to Part II: Theorizing International Society as

Social Structure 78

Part III Normative Orientations: Pluralism and Solidarism 81

Introduction 83

6 Classical Pluralism and its Successors 89

7 Pluralism in Historical Perspective 97

8 Classical Solidarism and its Successors 113

9 Solidarism in Historical Perspective 134

Conclusions to Part III 164

10 Ongoing Debates and Emergent Agendas 168

Notes 188

References 194

Index 223

عن المؤلف

Barry Buzan is Emeritus Professor of International Relations at the LSE (formerly Montague Burton Professor), honorary professor at Copenhagen and Jilin Universities, and a Senior Fellow at LSE Ideas. In 1998 he was elected a fellow of the British Academy.