What is meant by international society? On what principles is the notion of international society based? How has the notion of nationalism influenced its evolution? In this book James Mayall addresses these questions and sheds important new light on the issues of nation and international society by bringing together subjects that have hitherto been examined separately. Three central themes run throughout the study. First, the challenge posed to previous conceptions of international society and order by the principle of national self-determination. Secondly, the relationship between national and liberal ideas about the organization of political and economic relations between states. And thirdly, the merging of the economic and political aspects of nationalist thought in recent claims by Third World states on the international community.