Introduction To International Relations (theory And Practice)

This clear and concise text introduces four key theoretical frameworks that form the foundation of international relations and uses levels of analysis as the primary unifying force to explain contemporary global politics. Cases on climate change; gender, peace, and security; migration; and the rise of China illustrate Kaufman''s approach.

This clear and concise text introduces four key theoretical frameworks that form the foundation of international relations—realism, liberalism, constructivism, and feminist theory—and uses levels of analysis as the primary unifying force to explain contemporary global politics. Cases on climate change; gender, peace, and security; migration; and the rise of China illustrate Kaufman''s approach.

The third edition explains core issues in international relations, such as the interaction of nations in a globalized world; the growing threat posed by non-state actors and civil conflicts; and the need for countries to work together to counter what have been called “existential crises,” such as climate change, which threaten human lives and the planet. Significant revisions focus on discussion of democratic backsliding, the Covid-19 pandemic, cyberterrorism and cyberwar, changes to the European Union, and expanded coverage of international political economy.

1 Introduction: International Relations in a Globalized World

Why International Relations Is Important

International Relations in a Globalized World

Globalization

What Does Globalization Mean for the Study of IR?

2 Theoretical Overview

What Is Theory and Why Is It Important?

Levels of Analysis: A Framework for Understanding IR

Introduction to Basic IR Theories

Summary

3 The Nation-State Level

Definition of Nation-State

History of the Nation-State

Balance of Power and Alliances

Understanding National Interest

War and Peace

Issues of Peace and Post-Conflict Reconstruction

The Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) Process

Summary

4 Within the Nation-State

The Government, i.e., the “State” part of the Nation-State

Culture and Society

The Role of the Individual

Summary

5 Nonstate Actors and the International System

The Changing Nature of the International System

International Organizations

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)

Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs)

The Concept of “Civil Society”

Terrorism: A Challenge to the International System

Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

The Role of the Media

Summary

6 Pulling It All Together

Introduction to the Cases

Case 1: Environmental Protection as a Common Good

Case 2: The Movement of People in a Globalized World

Case 3: The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda

Case 4: China: Adversary or “Frenemy”?

Lessons of the Cases: Understanding International Relations in a Globalized World

Further Readings

Notes

Kaufman has written a very accessible, comprehensive, and updated text that students will find extremely valuable. Beginning with the question, “Why study IR?”, the book introduces readers to international relations theories and approaches (realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, and feminist IR) as well as the levels of analysis framework. The theories and levels of analysis are woven throughout the subsequent chapters that address the major conceptual areas of IR: the nation-state and war/peace, factors within the state, and non-state actors. The final chapter utilizes these tools to analyze four contemporary in-depth case studies—environmental protection; migration; women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda; and China.