The Global Transformation
History, Modernity and the Making of International Relations

'In this ambitious work, Buzan and Lawson do nothing less than tell us how our global modernity came to be. But they also tell us why the discipline of international relations has failed to understand this transformation before, and how we should analyse and theorize global modernity in the first place. Partly a concise history of modern global power, partly a sustained critique of, and programme for, the study of international relations: this is among the best that global social science has to offer.' Julian Go, Boston University

'In this highly impressive book Buzan and Lawson make a strong case for locating the origins of modern international relations to the long nineteenth century. Most important is that this is no mere historical argument that is relevant only to historical sociologists in IR but, in providing an alternative temporal benchmark to the conventional moments, they are able to take on many of the taken-for-granted assumptions (and heroic myths) that continue to permeate the discipline.' John M. Hobson, University of Sheffield and author of The Eurocentric Conception of World Politics

'Buzan and Lawson's The Global Transformation is a colossal achievement. Drawing from an incredibly broad-ranging body of literature from political science, historical sociology, world history and economics, the authors advance a lucid and compelling argument about the global transformation's nature, and its seismic impact on international relations. This is a landmark intervention in international relations, and should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in understanding the global order's origins, its contested constitution and its likely future.' Andrew Phillips, University of Queensland

'Some claims are so compelling, persuasive, and simply correct that, upon reading them, we say to ourselves 'Of course! How could anyone have ever thought differently?'. Buzan and Lawson provide just such an argument: that the contemporary international system originated in the configuration of processes, developments and events that marked the long nineteenth century. Anyone interested in the critical debate about the origins and future trajectory of world politics should read this book.' Dan Nexon, Georgetown University and Lead Editor, International Studies Quarterly

'… this is a rich, well-researched, properly argued, provocative and ground-breaking work. In short, it is a wonderful piece of scholarship. Buzan and Lawson have set the pace for a new scholarly programme that finally takes the nineteenth century transition seriously within IR.' Lucian M. Ashworth, E-International Relations (www.e-ir.info)