Books have their own history, both before they go to print and afterwards. The initial considerations for this study date back to the mid-nineties when I had the opportunity to teach as a DAAD Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta in Canada. There, my interest in globalization processes was sparked, and I also developed a clearer perspective on the need for a sober analysis and a normative foundation in political science. I owe a lot to the discussions with my colleagues there, especially Leon Craig, Heidi Studer, Larry Pratt, Fred Judson, Thomas Keating, and Malinda Smith. Upon returning to Germany, a reintegration scholarship from the DAAD provided me with the opportunity to document parts of my thoughts in writing. After that, work on the topic had to be temporarily interrupted due to other commitments.