Approaches to World Order

Robert Cox’s writings have had a profound influence on recent developments in thinking in world politics and political economy in many countries. This book brings together for the first time his most important essays, grouped around the theme of world order. The volume is divided into sections dealing respectively with theory; with the application of Cox’s approach to recent changes in world political economy; and with multilateralism and the problem of global governance. The book also includes a critical review of Cox’s work by Timothy Sinclair, and an essay by Cox tracing his own intellectual journey. This volume will be an essential guide to Robert Cox’s critical approach to world politics for students and teachers of international relations, international political economy, and international organisation.

Robert Cox is Professor of Political Science and Social and Political Thought at York University, Toronto. He worked for twenty-five years at the International Labor Office, becoming assistant director-general, and establishing the International Institute for Labour Studies. He subsequently took up a post as Professor of International Organization at Columbia University before moving to York University Timothy Sinclair is Lecturer in International Political Economy at the University of Warwick.