International Relations and World Politics: Security, Economy, Identity

This introduction to contemporary international relations focuses on what has changed and what has remained the same since the end of the Cold War. Providing a conceptual, historical, and philosophical foundation, it identifies key perspectives (realism and pluralism) and key players in world politics, explains the concepts, tracks the trends (global interdependence and crises of authority), and examines current and future global concerns. It introduces two basic conceptual perspectives on world politics, realism and pluralism, and uses them throughout. It also surveys the basic issues and concepts associated with state security and statecraft interests: objectives, power, diplomacy, and the use of force. In addition, the book examines key international security issues: terrorism, transnational crime, and the proliferation of chemical, biological, nuclear and advanced conventional weapons.