This book investigates the conceptual utility of hospitality as a framework for understanding cosmopolitan ethics within the complex landscape of international relations. Gideon Baker examines the historical and philosophical development of hospitality, tracing its evolution from early natural law traditions to contemporary political theory. By analyzing the works of thinkers such as Immanuel Kant and Emmanuel Levinas, the author argues that hospitality offers a necessary, albeit challenging, alternative to traditional state-centric models of global interaction.

Scholars in international relations and political theory frequently cite this work for its rigorous engagement with the ethical dimensions of global politics. Experts highlight the text as a significant contribution to the literature on cosmopolitanism, noting its dense, philosophical approach to the subject matter.