Stephen Chan analyses the notion of "evil" which has become part of the language of international politics. Questioning its historical origins and moral, political and legal foundations, he asks whether the fight against evil is merely a new form of imperialism.

The 'Axis of Evil', following hard on the heels of 'The Evil Empire', has institutionalised a new rhetoric of morality in international affairs which, at least in appearance, mirrors the ideological drive of George W. Bush and his neo-Conservative policy advisors ('Out of evil can come great good' said the President shortly after 9/11). Under the banner of 'evil', the US has asserted its dominance over the Soviet Union, the Taliban and Iraq, and with George Bush's unambiguous 2004 election victory, the 'fight for good against evil', now seemingly endorsed by the American electorate, looks set to expand. But where does this notion of 'evil' which has become part of the language of international politics actually come from? What is its political significance? In answering these questions Stephen Chan weaves history, politics, defence and religious discourse into a strong and wide-ranging analysis of the current international climate.