ABSTRACT
This introductory chapter outlines the aims and structure of the book. The overall aim is to demonstrate the pervasive nature of storytelling, to consider narratives as a means of causal explanation in the human sciences, to deepen our understanding of different ways to frame world politics and to provide a systematic reading of 12 central works in the field of IR. The book divides IR literature into tragedies, romances/epics, comedies and ironic/satirical stories. The analysis of the workings of each plot starts with bringing to mind some well-known prose examples. The plot-specific features, logic and appeal are then studied in action in the pieces of IR research. Finally, the book discusses the relative strengths and weaknesses of each plot in giving meaning to the actors and events in the international arena.
