Religion in International Relations Theory

6 Religion and the English School

Interactions within international society

The English School, also known as the International Society School or British Institutionalism, is a perspective located at the intersection between Realism and the utopian Liberal worldview in international relations. While recognizing that anarchy is a reality of international relations, the English School theorists see the states as parts of an “international society” that shares basic norms and understandings. The English School borrows from the Realist theory; yet it follows a distinct trajectory that builds on international legal norms in a constructivist fashion. These norms lay the basis for the interactions in an international society. Despite having a long intellectual ...