How do we understand international relations in a globalized world? This clear and concise text takes as its starting point the theoretical frameworks that are the foundation of current IR. Joyce P. Kaufman explains and contextualizes the traditional theories, highlighting both their strengths and weaknesses. Her levels-of-analysis approach provides students with the basic tools for a more inclusive understanding of international politics by not forcing them to choose between competing theories. Instead, in a refreshing alternative to most of the current introductory-level texts, the book allows readers to view the globe as a complex place of multiple actors facing multiple issues. It concludes with cases of current events that will help students apply theories to real-world issues.

Introduction : international relations in a globalized world. Why international relations is important -- Why study IR? -- IR as a field of study -- The levels-of-analysis framework -- Broad theoretical perspectives -- International relations in a globalized world : The concept of the nation-state -- Forces of integration, disintegration, and self-determination -- Globalization : What is globalization? -- Globalization as historical phenomenon -- What does globalization mean for the study IR? -- Further readings -- Notes -- Theoretical overview. What is theory, and why is it important? Theory and international relations : some basic assumptions -- Concept of national interest -- Introduction levels of analysis : a framework for understanding international relations -- The "System" in the international system -- Power -- Introduction to basic IR theories. Realism and neo-/structural realism -- Neorealism/structural realism -- Limitations and critique of realism and neorealism -- Liberalism as a theoretical model -- Neoliberalism -- Limitations and critique of liberalism -- Constructivism -- Limitations and critique of constructivism -- Other theoretical approaches : Marxism -- Limitations and critique of Marxist theory and its offshoots -- Theory continued : Feminist perspectives -- Limitations and critique of feminist theory -- Summary -- Further readings -- Notes -- The nation-state level. Definition of nation-state -- History of the nation-state. Treaty of Westphalia -- Balance of power and alliances. Balance of power -- Collective defense, alliances, and the Cold War -- Understanding national interest. Foreign policy orientations -- Negotiation as a tool of foreign policy -- War and peace. What is war? -- Just war doctrine -- Feminist theory and war -- Issues of peace and nation building. What is peace? -- Ending a war? -- Summary -- Further readings -- Notes -- Within the nation-state. The government : democratizing the state -- Democratic peace -- Militarizing the state -- Democracy and feminist perspectives -- Culture and society : nationalism and conflict -- Intractable conflicts. The Kurds -- Kosovo -- Russia and South Ossetia -- Ethnic conflict : Northern Ireland : religious conflict? -- The importance of looking at culture and society -- The role of the individual. Decision maker as rational actor -- Crisis decision making : The Cuban Missile Crisis -- Summary -- Further readings -- Notes -- Nonstate actors and the international system. The changing nature of the international system -- What are nonstate actors? -- International organizations. Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) -- The United Nations -- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank -- Regional organizations : The European Union (EU) -- Other regional organizations -- IGOs and IR theory -- IGOs and sovereignty -- Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) -- Terrorism : a challenge to the international system. Terrorism : a historical perspective -- Terrorisms as a political tool : women as terrorists -- Multinational corporations (MNCs) -- Summary -- Further readings -- Notes -- Pulling it all together. Introduction to the cases -- Case 1: Environmental protection as a common good -- Background of the issue -- Analysis of the case -- Case 2: The movement of people in a globalized world -- Background of the issue -- Analysis of the case -- Case 3: Women's rights as human rights -- Background of the issue -- Analysis of the case -- Lessons of the cases : Understanding international relations in a globalized world -- Further readings -- Notes.