The Evolution of International Society ─ A Comparative Historical Analysis

`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 University


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.

Adam Watson was a diplomat and historian, and formerly Professor of International Relations at the University of Virginia. His publications include The Limits of Independence (1997) and Diplomacy: the Dialogue between States (1982).
Barry Buzan is a Professor in the Department of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His publications include From International to World Society? English School Theory and the Social Structure of Globalization (2004) and The United States and the Great Powers: World Politics in the Twenty-First Century (2004).
Richard Little is Professor of International Politics at Bristol University. His publications include Perspectives on World Politics (2005) and, with Barry Buzan, International Systems in World History: Remaking the Study of International Relations (2000).