This textbook aims to offer students a comprehensive and authoritative introduction to statehood and recognition in world politics. Statehood and Recognition: An Introduction offers a comprehensive introduction to the history, theories, debates, and practices that underpin dynamic subject of statehood and recognition in world politics. Drawing on different disciplines and perspectives, this textbook allows readers to explore the theory and practice of statehood and recognition in world politics. This textbook is designed to serve as a clear, easy to read, and relevant with real world examples to reflect current research and the changing global political and diplomatic tapestry of statehood and recognition. It covers a broad range of relevant themes on: pathways to independent statehood; theories of state recognition; the law and diplomacy of state recognition; collective recognition and non-recognition of states; recognition of governments and belligerents; power politics and state recognition; state dissolution and recognition; frozen conflicts and state recognition; decolonization and state recognition; and the future directions on state recognition . The textbook offers case studies, critical thinking questions and links to relevant video and web materials that bring statehood and recognition to life.