Beginning with the French Revolution's injection of ideology into interstate politics, Cassels addresses preoccupations with the collapse of communism and the resurgence of religious fundamentalism in world politics. Examines the roots of the dichotomy in the C20th between traditional egotistical Realpolitik and the assertion that foreign policy should rest on a particular philosophy and set of values. Moves from Machiavellian tradition to social Darwinism, communism and imperialism, Hitler's aims and the nature of ideology during the cold war. Makes accessible a challenging and exciting subject.