Product Description

The Penguin Dictionary of International Relations provides an authoritative overview of this complex and constantly shifting subject. Ranging from the Arab–Israeli conflict to weapons of mass destruction, this is an indispensable and comprehensive guide to the events, organisations, theories and concepts that are shaping today’s global community.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #92150 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 640 pages

From the Publisher

Some sample entries:

LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES (LDCs)

This term has been used for some time within the United Nations to describe those states at the bottom of the hierarchy, at least in terms of economic criteria. The UN defines these states as those having the lowest per capita GDP, the lowest levels of literacy and the smallest share of secondary or manufacturing industries input into GDP. The colloquial term Forth World is sometimes used to refer to these states. Bangladesh, with something like one-quarter of the total population of the LDCs is a paradigm of this class of states. In many instances they show negative growth rates of per capita income annually and they run the real risk of `dropping out' of the system altogether if their prospects cannot be improved.

FREE WORLD

A term associated with Cold War era indicating those parts of the world not subject to communist influence or domination. Sometimes used as a synonym for the West, although this was erroneous as it was clearly the intention of US policy-makers to include non-Western and Third World states under this rubric. In the immediate post-war period the United States was the architect of a number of overlapping global alliances which John Foster Dulles referred to as the `Free World Alliance'.

CONTRABAND

Categories of war materials which, under international law, may be seized by one belligerent when supplied by a neutral to another. However, the exact definition of `war materials' has always been a contentious matter and interpretations have tended to be expansive. Thus, the category of `conditional contraband' refers to seized material which may have been destined for innocent peacetime use but which has been deemed by a belligerent as useful to the war effort. In the age of total warfare, the distinction between permissible and non-permissible goods has further collapsed with the result that during the two twentieth-century world wars relations between belligerents and neutrals were often strained. Lack of clear unequivocal legal guidance has inevitably resulted in a good deal of auto-interpretation on this issue.

About the Author
Graham Evans is Senior Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Wales, Swansea. Jeffrey Newnham lectures on the American Studies Programme at the University of Wales, Swansea.

Customer Reviews

invaluablel forstudents of international relations
This reference work is extremely well written. It is thoroughly cross-referenced and, crucially, its content is accurate and thoughtful. Theories of international relations are explained, clearly and concisely with relevent, up to date comment. Everything from wars to economic theories is also there! I'm studying for a degree in politics and have chosen international relations papers. This book has been invaluable: I have been able to access information and definitions in a fraction of the time it would have taken to plough through books. AND it's easy to understand!

A detailed and accurate account of International Relations.
This is not a book that you can just sit down and read. It is a reference book. However it summaries key points in a manner I have not seen before. Unlike other reference books it doesn't just give you an explanation that is so detailed you still don't understand. Its written in a way that presumes you don't have knowledge on the subject. I gave this book five stars not because of the content but because the way it was written. I would recommend any student considering or taking a degree in international relations or another international affairs subject.

Perfect for IR students!
As an International Relations student with a lot of things to learn and understand the jargons of IR, it is advisory to have this book as a reference. It is quite useful for the whole course of your studies whether as an Undergrad, Postgrad or even a Doctorate. It's worth all that money as it will be useful for a long period of time.