1 - Making Sense of the International

Summary

This chapter outlines the theoretical and historical argument of the book by criticizing extant accounts of the origin of the modern international system. It does so be engaging the view according to which the modern international system emerged as a consequence of a transition from a world of empires to a world of states, arguing that this presupposes that empires and states are categorically distinct and can be placed in historical succession. It also engages the view according to which the modern international system spread to other continents as a result of a diffusion of European ideas, instead arguing that this was a result of their creative appropriation.