This thesis carries two main arguments. First, the English School of international relations approach, based around the concept of international society, provides a productive paradigm with which to address both contemporary and historical issues in international relations. The twin concepts of gemeinschaft and gesellschaft are included as essential elements of this paradigm and as prime determinants of the manner in which states of a multi-state system (modern or pre-modern) are incorporated into a society of states. Secondly, that when applied to the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of India, this approach enables conclusions to be reached about the manner in which these states are already contributing and may in future further contribute to the contemporary international order. Specifically, the thesis concludes that both China and India continue to be reliant upon gesellschaft type interaction with contemporary international society, although there is evidence of change in this historical trend.