Explores some of the major themes and key institutions in the history of the rise and consolidation of the modern nation-state system. Focuses particularly on the relationships between the history of capitalism, the formation of modern nation-states and the rise and fall of world orders. Also looks at the historical background to, and changing character, of national sovereignty and the significance of revolution in the history of successive world orders. Finally it addresses questions about the future of the nation-state system in an era of globalisation and whether the post-Cold War era represents a fundamentally new type of world order or the latest round in the history of the rise and fall of Great Powers.