While the works of Hugo Grotius (1583-1645) have long been held in high esteem by international lawyers, this book addresses the broader, and neglected, theme of his contribution to the theoretical and practical aspects of international relations. It critically reappraises Grotius' thought, examining it in relation to his predecessors and in the context of the wars and controversies of his time, and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the `Grotian' tradition of thought - one which accepts the sovereignty of states but at the same time stresses the existence of shared values and the necessity of rules.

Readership: Teachers and students of international relations theory, particularly those on courses with a historical content; teachers and students of the history of international law; practitioners of international relations and international law, such as diplomats.

Edited by Hedley Bull, late Montague Burton Professor of International Relations and Fellow, Balliol College, Oxford, Benedict Kingsbury, Professor of Law, Duke University School of Law, North Carolina, and Adam Roberts, Montague Burton Professor of International Relations and Fellow, Balliol College, Oxford

"the work on Grotius is a sophisticated example of intellectual collaboration ... blessed with scholarship of remarkable range and depth ... a fitting tribute to the life and work of Hedley Bull" - Times Higher Education Supplement