The world is troubled and full of misunderstandings. It seems a new world order
of fundamentalist violence and meaningless atrocity is upon us, whilst civilised
instruments for cooperation and compromise are becoming increasingly
ineffective.
In this timely book, Stephen Chan explores the historical and philosophical
roots of difference and discord in the international system. He begins with the
introduction of the Westphalian system, showing how, throughout the 20th
century, new states - from the Middle East, Asia and Africa - entered that
system with reservations, preconditions, and great efforts to introduce new
forms of concerts and congresses but without seriously challenging the
international status-quo.
By contrast, the 21st century has