The concept of power has long been a central yet contested part of the study of international relations. But power, like all other political concepts, has a history of its own. This book tells the story of how power among polities has been understood from the early modern era to the present day, arguing that conceptions of power in international politics have been characterized by significant continuities and swift ruptures during this period. It shows how notions of power have spread across cultures and evolved into an apple of discord that has drawn polities together into an international system premised on its uniformity and scarcity. Power Among Polities is the first intellectual history of power in international relations to date.

‘Drawing on constructivism as well as contextualist intellectual history and conceptual history, Jens Bartelson argues that power is not, and has never been, the eternal currency of interpolity relations - not least because the meanings of power have never been stable or consensual. Erudite, expansive, challenging, and lucid, ‘Power Among Polities’ is sure to generate much productive debate.’

David Armitage - Lloyd C. Blankfein Professor of History, Harvard University

‘Bartelson's 'Power Among Polities’ is one of the most important contributions to the study of power in several decades. With typical erudition and eloquence, he has written an intellectual history of the concept of power that historicizes the concept in theory and practice. He shows how the conception of power in international relations has exhibited variation, why it was captured by realist international relations, and why the profession would be better off with a recognition of power's diversity. Equally fascinating is his consideration of how variations in meaning shaped international practice. A must read.'

Michael N. Barnett - University Professor of International Affairs and Political Science, George Washington University

‘Power is perhaps the most fundamental concept in International Relations, and Jens Bartelson is the field’s foremost conceptual historian. In this characteristically illuminating book, he demonstrates that what most in the field take to be the timeless logic of power politics is itself a historically specific achievement. Intellectual history at its best, 'Power Among Polities’ is a testament to how important conceptual choices can be in International Relations, and how important their historical study is to improving our theories.'

Ayşe Zarakol - Professor of International Relations, University of Cambridge