There has been an upsurge in the English School of international relations in recent years. The English School, embodying traditions of philosophy, law and history, provides a perspective on contemporary international relations theory that allows for a critical reformulation of the concept of international society. It is a formulation that offers an alternative methodology for the study and deeper understanding of the nature of the current emerging transformations in the international system. The volume is a collection of original essays written by major international relations theorists which sets out a critical appreciation of the development of the international society idea and its influence on, and relation to, the development of international relations theory. A critical look is taken at the intellectual development of key members of the School, the concept of the School itself and the place of the School's theory in contemporary international relations approaches. The volume is an original contribution to the study and understanding of international relations theory.