'Synthesises a massive amount of research in dividing human history into four main modes of foreign relations: tribal, empire/nomad, sovereign equality, and global governance. A convincing case is made for the power of his theorisation of our past and its crucial contribution not only for understanding the present, but also for mapping the paths to desirable futures'
Robert Albritton, ... Read moreProfessor Emeritus, York University, Toronto, Canada 'Provides a majesterial and authentic historical materialist account of 'foreign relations' that is at once conceptually innovative and deeply historical. This impressive work deserves a very wide readership, particularly by those of us who recognise the importance of van der Pijl's subject but make use of different theoretical traditions'
Dr Randall Germain, Associate Professor, Carleton University, Canada. 'A work of scholarship, imagination, cogency and irreducible humanistic optimism'
Professor Fred Halliday, LSE 'An intellectual tour de force! This important, innovative and insightful book challenges the dominant Euro-centric and state-centric approach to International Relations. By offering an alternative framework based on the concept of 'modes of foreign relations,' Van der Pijl takes us on a journey through time that allows us to grasp the origins and development of 'relations between communities.''
Susanne Soederberg, Canada Research Chair, Department of Development Studies, Queen's University, Canada. 'A masterful work of historical materialism, showing how human social organisation proceeds from its manipulation of nature and technology, how human social organisations are transformed through their 'foreign relations' with other such organisations, and how such relations are becoming internal rather than 'international'. Whatever one might think of the human future after reading this book, it will certainly leave one thinking about it'
Ronnie D. Lipschutz, Professor of Politics University of California, Santa Cruz 'His highly accessible tour de force is rich, provocative, and interesting. It is also important for an understanding of this difficult and (hopefully) transitional moment in history'
George Wright, Professor Emeritus, Department of Poltical science, California State University. 'Tracing the history of foreign relations, Kees van der Pijl shows that they are inscribed in daily life. Nomads, Empires, States is an artful study that redefines the field of international studies'
James H. Mittelman, Professor, School of International Service, American University, Washington, DC 'Van der Pijl's innovative concept 'modes of foreign relations' challenges Marxists to revisit international relations and encourages international relations specialists to broaden their horizons as he relates a fascinating interpretation of global politics stretching from nomads to Empires, old and new. A wonderful, provocative book'
Robert O'Brien, Professor of Global Labour Issues, McMaster University Show Less