This book compares a nd contrasts Islamic wo r ldviews a nd Western theo r etical perspectives on international relations to suggest that a combination of the two could lead to a mutually beneficial redefinition of contempo r ary international relations utilizing Western theo r etical tools a nd inco r po r ating an Islamic perspective. Particular focus is given to the Islamic concept of istikhlaf as an ontological a nd no r mative foundation. The reasoning being that all man-made social arrangements on “earth”, as well as international society, should be considered a realm of istikhlaf. This allows fo r return to an eternal a nd critical first principle, linking all social roles to this principle, which is that man as designated by the Qur’an, is God’s khalifah o r Vicegerent on earth. It’s a statement of great magnitude. أقرأ أقل