[A] provocative book which ought to be widely-used in courses and frequently cited in future debates...Jim George has written a lucid and useful guide to the critical theories of international relations which have appeared over the last ten years.' Andrew Linklater, Australian Journal of Political Science This important new text provides a broad-ranging and accessible critique of, and re-introduction to, International Relations drawing on the most significant critical perspectives in recent social science theory. These perspectives are carefully introduced and systematically applied to the dominant traditions in contemporary IR. 'Sure to be the alternative text for international relations courses...I can think of no other book that provides as comprehensive a tour of the presuppositions that guide both the mainstream's and the critics' approaches to interpreting international politics.' D.Campbell 'A very important contribution and an excellent teaching tool...George provides a comprehensive treatment of the philosophical bases of both traditional and critical work in IR.' M.J.Shapiro