Product Description

Of undoubtable relevance today, in a post-9-11 world of growing political tension and unease, this Very Short Introduction covers the topics essential to an understanding of modern international relations. Paul Wilkinson explains the theories and the practice that underlie the subject, and investigates issues ranging from foreign policy, arms control, and terrorism, to the environment and world poverty. He examines the role of organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union, as well as the influence of ethnic and religious movements and terrorist groups which also play a role in shaping the way states and governments interact. This up-to-date book is required reading for those seeking a new perspective to help untangle and decipher international events.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20877 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

About the Author
Paul Wilkinson is Professor of International Relations and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St Andrews. Prior to his appointment at St Andrews in 1989 he was Professor of International Relations, University of Aberdeen 1979-1989.

He is co-editor of the academic journal Terrorism and Political Violence, and is currently director of a research project on the domestic management of terrorist attacks in the UK. He served as Adviser to UK Governments's Inquiry into Legislation Against Terrorism. He has published widely on International Relations and terrorism, his latest publication being Addressing The New International Terrorism; , a report to the Trilateral Commission, (May 2003, co-authored
with Nye and Satoh).

Customer Reviews

Excellent
As someone who is planning to read Politics and International Relations at university from September, I wanted a book that would give me a basic grounding and highlight the main issues surrounding the subject. This book does this excellently, providing an illuminating insight into the United Nations, the EU, terrorism, democracy, dictatorship and liberalism (amongst other things) as well as an overview of the basic theories of International Relations. For those people who are looking to study the subject, as well as those who just have an interest in the wider world around them, this book is an accessible, intriguing and jargon-free read that I would thoroughly recommend.

Brilliant!
What a fantastic book, really informative and interesting. Not too long but it's a fantastic introduction to International Relations, specially if you're taking it as a degree course. I'm not but it did better my understanding of World affairs and I enjoyed it at the same time.

A Pitiful Attempt
I was so disappointed when I finished reading this short book, even if had "A very short introduction" in its title, the book simply didn't provide any coherent structure and relevant information to theory and such. If you want to hear a rant about International Relations, this book is for you, for everyone else I advise you to stay away.