A Genealogy of Sovereignty

The concept of sovereignty is central to international relations theory and theories of state formation, and provides the foundation of the conventional separation of modern politics into domestic and international spheres. In this book Jens Bartelson provides a critical analysis and conceptual history of sovereignty, dealing with this separation as reflected in philosophical and political texts during three periods: the Renaissance, the Classical Age, and Modernity. He argues that the concept of sovereignty and its place within political discourse are conditioned by philosophical and historiographical discontinuities between the periods, and that sovereignty should be regarded as a concept contingent upon, rather than fundamental to, political science and its history.

• Historical study of the concept of sovereignty in international relations, a central concept for IR theorists
• Looks at philosophical and political texts from Renaissance, Classical, and Modern times. Of interest to historians of ideas and philosophers as well as IR people
• Our referee thought this was 'a superb piece of work'!