The 'English School' of international relations theory (IR) is possibly the only approach to take the emergence of international society seriously. It begins with the claim that 'Modern International Society' has roots which go back to the late Middle Ages. The idea is that due to the collapse of the vast medieval empires which dominated Europe, to be replaced by the rise of national monarchies which demanded Sovereignty.

One particular event which highlighted this transformation was the Council of Constance (1415). This was the first time that representatives of the church from different countries were invited to a reform council. It was the beginning of a change of Europe being ruled over by a Holy Roman Emperor to a community of Kings with separate demands.

The process was greatly intensified by the Reformation and eventually after the end of the Religious Wars where it was deemed that 'Cuis Regio, Euis religio', or 'who has region, decides religion.' The idea was that the ruler of each individual area would decide the religion of those under his control based upon his own faith.

The Treaty of Westphalia later helped to embed this principal firmly into the European system of rule and helped to promote the idea of equal sovereignty. Those of the 'English School' feel that the rise of monarchical states led to a specific theory controlled by certain institutions. '''

The Major Institutions of International Society include:'''

• the balance of power principal
• war
• diplomacy
• International law

Key figures associated with the English School include Hedley Bull. The theory is closely related to the Liberal Realism school of IR theory and promotes the view that despite the existence of possible alternative forms of organization, the states system is our best chance of achieving order in world politics.

Key works

• Hedley Bull. The Anarchical Society (1977)

International relations