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Concepts in International Relations
A New Introduction
Edited by:
- Felix Berenskoetter - SOAS, University of London, UK
Other Titles in:
International Relations | International Studies | Political Science & International Relations
International Relations | International Studies | Political Science & International Relations
November 2025 | 448 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
How can we better understand global issues? And what does it mean to do international relations theory today?
Concepts in International Relations offers a fresh and accessible introduction to IR theory through the lens of the key concepts that shape our world – power, security, race, gender, the environment, and more. Unlike traditional textbooks, this book treats concepts not just as tools but as the very foundation of international thinking and practice.
Concepts don’t just describe the world – they make it. Politicians, scholars and activists all use them to frame debates, justify actions and imagine alternatives. By interpreting and reimagining these concepts, theory becomes a powerful way to engage with global politics.
This book is the essential companion for undergraduate and postgraduate students approaching IR or IR theory for the first time.
Concepts in International Relations offers a fresh and accessible introduction to IR theory through the lens of the key concepts that shape our world – power, security, race, gender, the environment, and more. Unlike traditional textbooks, this book treats concepts not just as tools but as the very foundation of international thinking and practice.
Concepts don’t just describe the world – they make it. Politicians, scholars and activists all use them to frame debates, justify actions and imagine alternatives. By interpreting and reimagining these concepts, theory becomes a powerful way to engage with global politics.
This book is the essential companion for undergraduate and postgraduate students approaching IR or IR theory for the first time.
Felix Berenskötter
Chapter 1: Introduction
Felix Berenskötter
Chapter 2: Studying Concepts
Annette Freyberg-Inan
Chapter 3: Rationality
Simon Koschut
Chapter 4: Emotions
Felix Berenskötter
Chapter 5: International Order
Jasmine Gani
Chapter 6: Colonialism
Tanja Aalberts
Chapter 7: Sovereignty
Jaakko Heiskanen
Chapter 8: The Nation
Somdeep Sen
Chapter 9: Race
Halvard Leira
Chapter 10: Diplomacy
Mark Lacy and Felix Berenskötter
Chapter 11: War
Felix Berenskötter and Sachiho Funabashi
Chapter 12: Peace
Laura Sjoberg and Thomas Worth
Chapter 13: Gender
Pinar Bilgin
Chapter 14: Security
Lee Jarvis
Chapter 15: Terrorism
Stephanie Winkler
Chapter 16: Power
Piki Ish-Shalom and Jonas Wolff
Chapter 17: Democracy
Oliver Kessler
Chapter 18: The Market
Heloise Weber
Chapter 19: Development
Oumar Ba
Chapter 20: Justice
Mor Mitrani and Evgeny Roshchin
Chapter 21: International Community
Michael Albert
Chapter 22: Climate Change