Empire got itself a bad name during the past century, but recently more and more voices are making themselves heard in the international debate. Looking at empire and world order from both historical and present perspectives gives rise to many questions. The texts stem from the Engelsberg Seminar, arranged by Axel and Margaret Ax:son Johnson Foundation. Contributors: Svante Nordin, David S. Landes, Nathan Shachar, Hugh Thomas, Jan Morris, Richard Pipes, György Schöpflin, Orhan Pamuk, Charles S. Maier, Robert Cooper, Töger Seidenfaden, Peter Bender, Philip Bobbit, Peter Bender, Philip Bobbitt, Deepak Lal, William Kirby, Ross Terrill, Ian Buruma, Shashi Tharoor, David Coleman