Current events happening around the world, especially the 'humanitarian interventions' by NATO and the West within the context of the so-called Arab Spring, make the understanding of the role of spheres of influence in international politics absolutely critical. Hast explores the practical implications and applications of this theory, challenging the concept by using historical examples such as suzerainty and colonialism, as well as the emergence of a hierarchical international order. This study further connects the English School tradition, post-war international order, the Cold War and images of Russia with the concept of the sphere of influence to initiate debate and provide a fresh outlook on a concept which has little recent attention.

Dr Susanna Hast received her doctorate from the University of Lapland in 2012 and specialises in International Relations, especially English School theory, Russian foreign policy, politics of emotions, and peace and conflict studies. She currently pursues post-doctoral research as a visiting fellow at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. She is also a partner to the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Russian Studies at Aleksanteri Institute in Helsinki. Her most recent research topic is concerned with compassion and violence in Russian-Chechen relations.

Chapter 1 Framing 'Sphere of Influence'; Chapter 2 The Origins of Spheres of Influence; Chapter 3 International Society and the Normative Question; Chapter 4 Between Nation and Humanity; Chapter 5 The Burden of the Cold War; Chapter 6 Conclusions;