This book investigates how states maintain a consistent sense of self-identity in the volatile environment of international politics. Brent J. Steele, a scholar of international relations, utilizes the concept of ontological security—originally derived from psychology—to explain why states often prioritize the preservation of their identity over rationalist calculations of material interest. By examining historical case studies, the author argues that states act to minimize anxiety and maintain biographical continuity, even when such actions appear counterproductive to traditional security goals.

Experts identify this work as a foundational text for scholars interested in the constructivist turn within international relations theory. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which requires a strong background in political theory to fully grasp the nuances of the author's argument.