Introduction: understanding tragedy and understanding international relations -- Part I. Recovering the tragic dimension of international relations: tragedy, ethics and international relations / Mervyn Frost; tragedy, progress and the international order / James Mayall; tragedy or skepticism? defending the anti-Pelagian mind in world politics / Nicholas Rengger; tragedy, politics and political science / Richard Ned Lebow -- Part II. Tragedy and international relations as political theory: tragic choices and contemporary international political theory / Chris Brown; the tragedy of tragedy / J. Peter Euben; tragedy and ethical community in world politics / Richard Beardsworth; tragedy and political theory: progressivism without an ideal / Kamila Stullerova -- Part III. On the nature of tragedy in international relations: a pessimism of strength? tragedy and political virtue / Benjamin A. Schupmann; Nietzsche and questions of tragedy, tyranny and international relations / Tracy Strong; tragedies and international relations / Catherine Lu; the drama viewed from elsewhere / Robbie Shilliam -- Conclusion: learning from tragedy and refocusing international relations.