The Commonwealth consists of only a quarter of the world's states and yet the Commonwealth Secretariat and Foundation have made and continue to make a significant contribution to global politics.

Commonwealth is a superb examination of an often neglected but crucial force in world affairs. Timothy M. Shaw;

• explains the history, structure and future of the Commonwealth
• demonstrates the central role that the Commonwealth has played in advancing decolonization and supporting multiculturalism, democracy and human rights
• details the significant links between Commonwealth institutions and myriad networks concerned with education, development, gender, health, islands, literature, media and sport
• examines the Commonwealth within the context of wider debates about 'global' governance and globalization.