World Politics In The 21st Century

Objective, critical, optimistic, and with a global focus, this textbook combines international relations theory, history, up-to-date research, and current affairs to give the student a comprehensive, unbiased understanding of international politics. It integrates theory and traditional approaches with globalization and research on newer topics such as terrorism, the rise of new economic superpowers, and the impact of global communications and social networking to offer the ideal breadth and depth of coverage for a one-semester undergraduate course. Student learning is supported and enhanced by box features and "Close Up" sections with context and further information, "Critical Case Studies" that highlight controversial and complex current affairs topics and show how the world works in practice, and questions to stimulate discussion, review key concepts, and encourage further study. It brilliantly demonstrates the significance and interconnectiveness of globalization and new security challenges in the 21st century and illuminates the role of leadership in transnational crises.

From the war on terror to the global financial crisis, traditional concepts of world politics are being challenged on a daily basis. In these uncertain times, the study of international relations and the forces that shape them have never been more important. Written specifically for students who are approaching this subject for the first time, World Politics is the most accessible, coherent and up-to-date account of the field available. It covers the historical backdrop to today’s political situations, the complex interactions of states and non-state actors, the role of political economy, human security in all its forms, and the ways in which culture, religion and identity influence events. World Politics takes a new approach that challenges traditional interpretations, and will equip students with the knowledge and the confidence needed to tackle the big issues.

The third edition of this popular textbook offers a comprehensive and authoritative introduction to the key questions that will confront anyone interested in world politics for decades to come. This text is a collation of topical chapters, each authored by experts in their own field and written in a clear and balanced manner. The issues which endure, as well as new and unexpected issues, are all covered within this text, with cross-referencing between chapters and to external work. New chapters cover the major developments of this era, including the impact of the financial crisis, climate change, the refugee crisis, the rise of China and Russia. Beeson and Bisely hone this text with their careful editorship. They place this text within the context of the key questions that arise from these issues: to what extent can policy makers cope with fundamental changes to politics, what will the impact of non-state actors be, what can we predict about future world politics, to name a few. This makes the text indispensable to students wishing to understanding contemporary world politics. Being wide-ranging and completely up-to-date, this is the ideal companion for both undergraduates and postgraduate students of internationals relations and politics. The text has been written in a clear and approachable manner to make it accessible to students unfamiliar with the topic.

Fully revised, the second edition of this popular text provides an incisive and accessible survey of the key issues in world politics. Written by an international team of experts, the text includes new chapters on the media and international law, as well as updated chapters on pressing issues such as climate change and resource security.

"This exciting introduction to international relations includes topics often neglected in other texts and features in-depth case studies in every chapter that make abstract concepts concrete. Praised for its accessibility, pedagogy, and success in developing students' interest in the material, this third edition is truly a text for the 21st century and its students. Book jacket."--Jacket.

Praised for achieving significant breadth and depth of coverage of all the key themes of IR, this introduction is also full of a range of features and techniques – including a wide range of contemporary case studies and reflection boxes - to help students become adept at the subject quickly and easily

Arguing that we live in a world where great powers - such as China and the EU - are not helpless in the face of the United States, this text contends that the other major nations of the world must work alongside the US in order to counter-balance America's current dominance of the international political scene.

Since the sudden disappearance of the Soviet Union, many scholars have argued that the balance of power theory is losing its relevance. This text examines this viewpoint, as well as looking at systematic factors that may hinder or favour the return of balance of power politics.