This work investigates the relevance of Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarian philosophy to contemporary international relations and security frameworks. Gunhild Hoogensen, a scholar in security studies, examines how Bentham’s concepts of utility, governance, and individual security can be applied to modern global political structures. By analyzing historical texts through a contemporary lens, the author argues that Bentham’s focus on the security of the individual provides a necessary critique of state-centric security models. The book establishes a theoretical bridge between classical liberal thought and current debates regarding human security and international policy.

Experts in political theory and international relations identify this text as a specialized contribution to the study of security ethics. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which requires a foundational understanding of both utilitarian philosophy and international security studies.