This book investigates the possibility of a cosmopolitan approach to international relations by challenging the traditional state-centric focus of the discipline. Andrew Linklater, a prominent scholar in the field, utilizes critical theory to examine the ethical implications of state boundaries and the persistent problem of harm in global politics. By synthesizing sociology and political philosophy, the author argues for a re-evaluation of citizenship that transcends the limitations of the sovereign state to better encompass the needs of humanity.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for students and scholars interested in the intersection of ethics and international politics. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which requires a solid background in political theory to fully grasp the author's arguments.