Concepts in International Relations

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.