Revolutions, as much as international war or nationalism, have shaped the development of world politics. In cause, ideology, and consequence they have merited description as a “sixth great power” alongside the dominant nations. In Revolution and World Politics Fred Halliday reassesses the role of revolution from the French Revolution to the Iranian Revolution and the collapse of communism.
Halliday begins by tracing the origins and evolution of the modern concept of “revolution” and placing it in historical context. Arguing that revolution is central to any understanding of international relations, he examines the internationalist ideology of revolutionaries who are committed to promoting change elsewhere by exposing revolution. In contrast with the claims of revolutionaries and counterrevolutionaries alike, he sees revolutions both as part of an internationalist social conflict and as a challenge to the system of states. Chapters on the distinct foreign policies of revolutionary states are followed by discussions of war, counterrevolution, and postrevolutionary transformation. The study concludes with a reassessment of the place of revolution within international relations theory and in modern history, drawing out implications for their incidence and character in the twenty-first century.
Students and scholars of international relations, political science, sociology, and history will value this major contribution to understanding worldwide developments in government and society.

“Fred Halliday is a lifetime student of revolutions. Here he offers a thoughtful, well-informed review of interactions between revolutions and international politics from the sixteenth century to the collapse of European communism. He also provides a number of side benefits in the form of fresh thoughts on international responses to revolutionary regimes, reports of his own observations in Havana, Tehran, and other revolutionary hot spots, insights drawn from interviews with pundits and world leaders, critiques of current theories of international relations, and more.”—Charles Tilly, Columbia University