Richard Shapcott, Justice, Community, and Dialogue in International Relations (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002), 260 pp.

Book review.
'This book faces an impossible task and suggests an impossible solution.’ These might be read as thewords of a severe critique, but in fact they are the opening words of Shapcott’s introductory chapter.The impossible task is one that has much occupied theorists of international relations (IR) in recenttimes: the possibility of justice in a culturally diverse world. The impossible solution which Shapcotttakes it upon himself to explore is the hermeneutic solution found in the tradition associated withH.G. Gadamer. This contribution to the discussion within IR theory about justice, cosmopoli-tanism, community, otherness and difference is as welcome as it is well executed, stimulating andprovocative.