Resumen de Beyond Coxian historicism: : 19th century world order and the promise of uneven and combined development

Jeremy Green

• This article scrutinises Robert Cox�s theorisation of 19th century world order, proposing �uneven and combined development� as an alternative conceptual approach. I contend that Cox�s understanding of 19th century world order is insufficient as it neglects the significance of German ascendance. Privileging hegemonic construction of world order, Cox�s account of the decomposition of Pax Britannica reifies the neo-realist anarchy problematique. Overall, Cox exaggerates the degree of rupture between phases of world order, obscuring developmental continuities that produce different �geopolitical� contexts. Uneven and combined development, I propose, enables a fruitful reappraisal of the period. Process-based international historical sociology is suggested as an alternative way to think about 19th century world order and critical IR.