In this book, Stephanie Lawson adopts a broad historical and contextual approach to introduce students to the central themes and theoretical perspectives in the study of world politics. In particular, she examines the development of the discipline's central institution, the state, and explains the ways in which it has both shaped, and been shaped by, political norms. Lawson also looks at key issues in the contemporary world, including security and insecurity, global governance and world order and the impact of globalization on the state.
The range of issues that the discipline now encompasses, together with the development of new theoretical approaches and an increasing openness to interdisciplinary work, make international relations an important and dynamic field of study in today's world. This book will appeal to students of politics and international relations at undergraduate level and beyond, as well as anyone with a general interest in world affairs.
* Exam copies only available to lecturers for whom the book may be suitable as a course text.
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Chapter 1 Introducing International Relations.
Chapter 2 States in History.
Chapter 3 The `Short Twentieth Century'.
Chapter 4 After the Cold War.
Chapter 5 Security and Insecurity in the Contemporary World.
Chapter 6 Global Governance and World Order.
Chapter 7 Globalization and the State.
Chapter 8 Conclusion: A Postinternational World.
References.
Index.
