The need to control violent & non-violent harm has been central to human existence since societies first emerged. This book analyses the problem of harm in world politics which stems from the fact that societies require the power to harm in order to defend themselves from internal & external threats but must also control the capacity to harm so that people cannot kill injure humiliate or exploit others as they please. Andrew Linklater analyses writings in moral & legal philosophy that define & classify forms of harm & discusses the ways in which different theories of international relations suggest the power to harm can be controlled so that societies can co-exist with the minimum of violent & non-violent harm. Linklater argues for new connections between the English School study of international society & Norbert Elias analysis of civilizing processes in order to advance the study of harm in world politics.