In this book Rob Walker offers an original analysis of the relationship between twentieth-century theories of international relations, and the political theory of civil society since the early modern period. He views theories of international relations both as an ideological expression of the modern state, and as a clear indication of the difficulties of thinking about a world politics characterized by profound spatiotemporal accelerations. International relations theories should be seen, the author argues, more as aspects of contemporary world politics than as explanations of contemporary world politics. These theories are examined in the light of recent debates about modernity and post-modernity, sovereignty and political identity, and the limits of modern social and political theory. This book is a major contribution to the field of critical international relations, and will be of interest to social and political theorists and political scientists, as well as students and scholars of international relations.

"Walker shows mastery of the literature. His work is theoretically comprehensive and innovative. Definitely a work to be studied by scholars of international relations or political and social philosophy and ethics." Choice

"...this is essential reading for anyone interested in contemporary international/political theory." Ethics

"Inside/Outside represents Walker's most concerted effort yet to illustrate to a contemporary readership the need to go beyond that dichotomy which at one level separates 'domestic' from 'international'practice and at another distinguishes something called political 'theory' from its international counterpart...R. B. J. Walker has been one of the most innovative and incisive contributors to the expanded agenda on international relations over the past decade...if one is seeking, in a single volume, a coherent broad-ranging and generally accessible articulation of some of the most important issues of theory/practice in the modern era, Inside/Outside fits the bill. As such, it deserves to be read widely and discussed seriously by an international relations community struggling to redefine itself and the world in a volatile age." Jim George, American Political Science Review