Historical Sociology, International Relations and the State

Of the aims of IR inquiry, perhaps the most pre-eminent is the explanation of international events and phenomena, understood as the relations between states. As a study of the relationship between the end of the Cold War and the weakness and vulnerability of the Soviet state, this book is not an explanation of why the Cold War ended. Rather, it is an examination of the way in which a structure of world politics contributed to the development and weakening of Soviet power. It is situated within IR as it addresses the impact of an international conflict on the development and demise of state power. Yet, IR is not, theoretically speaking, an ideal place to be located.