The Rise of Democracy ─ Revolution, War and Transformations in International Politics Since 1776

Little over 200 years ago, a quarter of a century of warfare with an 'outlaw state' brought the great powers of Europe to their knees. That state was the revolutionary democracy of France. In the intervening period, there has been a remarkable transformation in the way democracy is understood and valued today, it is the non-democractic states that are seen as rogue regimes.

Christopher Hobson looks at the historical contrast between the strongly negative perceptions of democracy in the 18th century and the very high degree of acceptance and legitimacy in contemporary international politics. Building on this, Hobson looks at the role of democracy in international relations: in the past, its present role and the likely future challenges.

Christopher Hobson is Assistant Professor in the School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University and Visiting Research Fellow at the United Nations University. Christopher previously worked as a Research Associate at the United Nations University (2010-2013); and as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University (2008-2010). He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations from the Australian National University.