Product Description

This leading text introduces the whole range of major theoretical approaches to the study of International Relations in a way that really gets students thinking. Each theory is placed within context and discussed in juxtaposition to other theoretical approaches, and each chapter is written by a leading expert on each approach, giving the student an excellent view of the latest developments. The new edition has new chapters on historical sociology and international political theory and has been thoroughly updated.
 
This successful and popular textbook provides a systematic and comprehensive introduction to the main theoretical approaches in the study of international relations. Written by a team of leading scholars from around the world, the core chapters each present a detailed and critical analysis of the key theories prevailing in the discipline, from realism and liberalism to feminism and post-structuralism. These are set in context by an introduction assessing the importance and role of theory in the study of world politics.

This fully revised fourth edition includes entirely new chapters on Historical Sociology by Andrew Linklater and International Political Theory by Terry Nardin.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #52260 in Books
• Published on: 2009-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 364 pages

Andreas Bieler, University of Birmingham
'An outstanding textbook.'

Review

Reviews of previous editions:

'An outstanding textbook.'
- Andreas Bieler, University of Birmingham

'One of the most useful books on International Relations theory to have appeared in recent years...a most valuable addition to the burgeoning literature in the field.'
- Chris Brown, Political Studies

'A very fine book, bringing together a group of contributors who describe the major currents of International Relations theory. Beginning with 'liberal internationalism' and finishing up with 'green politics', the book is highly readable and illuminating for a subject not everyone finds accessible.'
- RUSI Journal

About the Author

SCOTT BURCHILL is Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Deakin University, Australia.

ANDREW LINKLATER is Woodrow Wilson Professor of International Politics, Aberystwyth University, UK.

RICHARD DEVETAK is Senior Lecturer and Director of the Rotary Centre for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution, University of Queensland, Australia.

JACK DONNELLY is Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Political Science, University of Denver, USA.

TERRY NARDIN is Professor and Head, Department of Political Science, National University of Singapore.

MATTHEW PATERSON is Professor of Political Science, University of Ottawa, Canada.

CHRISTIAN REUS-SMIT is Professor and Head of the Department of International Relations in the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies at The Australian National University.

JACQUI TRUE is Senior Lecturer in International Relations, University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Customer Reviews

Comprehensively inspiring!!
If you only ever buy one book about International relations, make sure this is it! A one stop shop, as either an introduction to or a lauch pad to further investigation of all the most important theoires regarding international politics today. Arranged in chapters on each of the relevant theories, starting with the most influential and widely applied, such as Realism and Idealism, this book offers an insightful and comprehensive account of both the history, main agruments and critisims of each theory. The latter chapters are even more important as they cover a whole host of the newer post positivist theories, which offer much to think about and inspire. Written by some of the leading theorist in the field this book is a who's who of the international Realtions scene. worth every penny!

An excellent introduction for any student
This is a lucid, well thought out and extremely helpful intoduction to a constantly evolving field. I highly recommend it to anyone with even the slightest interest in theories of international relations (the chapters on Liberalism and the English School are fascinating incidentally).

Absolutely brilliant for the student of IR
Written by the some of the leading contemporary scholars in the discipline of International Relations, this book condenses and presents theory in a logical and direct manner whilst striving to achieve impartiality. Strongly recommended to those studying the topic, may be of a little difficulty to someone new to the discipline - in which case I recommend an introductory book like: "International Relations: The Basics" by Peter Sutch and Juanita Elias, as preliminary reading.