Global Politics

Description: The world is becoming an ever smaller place--through globalization, finance and economics, technology, media, and the many global issues that transcend borders. As a result, undergraduates studying Global Politics and International Relations need a more integrated, applied, and practical approach for making sense of the world around them. In Global Politics: Applying Theory to a Complex World, authors Mark Boyer, Natalie Hudson, and Michael Butler have developed an approach to the subject that integrates historical context where necessary in the discussion of global issues and integrates the mainstream theoretical approaches within every chapter to provide students a rich and meaningful way to understand and critically analyze what is happening in the world today. Global Politics covers all of the standard topics in the undergraduate level IR/Global Politics course, and also provides more robust coverage of global ecology; gender and race; the different security challenges of our day that go beyond armed conflict; IPE coverage that highlights the divergent paths of the Global North and South; and the growing reliance upon international law, international organizations, and global and regional governance. Utilizing a familiar organization and emphasis of topics, the authors have developed a compelling narrative and features to captivate students who are both "worldly" and "naive" at the same time. Review: Global Politics does an excellent job of bridging the gap between theory and reality * and therefore applied global affairsand makes the complexities of international relations understandable to the beginning student.Robert Weiner, University of Massachusetts, Boston * I am for a 'less is more' approach to an introductory textbook because today's digital student does not have the time, patience, attention span, or the desire to spend countless hours reading through text. I like the simplicity and straightforward logic that is applied to the text. * Gigi Gokcek, Dominican University of California * I very much appreciate the goals that the authors lay out * in particular, challenging your assumptions and thinking critically.Angela Nichols, Florida Atlantic University * Global Politics is offered at the appropriate depth and level of complexity for undergraduate students. This book should easily find a place at the top of the market * it is factual without giving away a specific bias in terms of methodology. I like it and others will, too.Robert Denemark, University of Delaware * Contents: Chapter 1. Global Politics Matter Why Global Politics Matter Grappling with Global Complexity - The Study of IR - The Role of Global Actors - Value of IR Theory Chapter 2. Theory Is Everywhere Realist Theory Liberal Theory World Systems Theory Constructivism Feminist Theory Chapter 3. Interpreting Power: A Levels of Analysis Approach Defining Power in Global Politics The Levels-of-Analysis Approach Individual-Level of Analysis State-Level of Analysis System-Level of Analysis Chapter 4. The Nation-State Past and Present Nations, Nationalism and the Nation-State Defined The Historical Evolution of Nations and Nationalism Nationalism Reconsidered The Sovereign State Chapter 5. Re-Imagining Globalization--Forces That Divide and Forces That Unite Causes and Conceptions of Globalization Analyzing the Impact of Globalization Transnationalism: Actors and Movements Chapter 6. International Organizations: Global and Regional Governance Why States Organize As Collectives Trends in IGO Formation and Function A Closer Look at the UN System Regional IGOs Chapter 7. War and Terrorism War as a Concept Armed Conflict: Causes and Objectives Global Trends in Armed Conflict The Changing Context of War Asymmetrical Warfare: Terrorism Chapter 8. Pursuing Security The Traditional Approach Security Re-Envisioned Seeking Security, Illustrations The New Security Environment Threat Assessment: Weapons of Mass Destruction Chapter 9. International Law and Transitional Justice Fundamentals and History of International Law International Law in Theory and Practice Law and Justice in a Multicultural World Justice after War and Mass Atrocity Chapter 10. Global Political Economy: Protecting Wealth in the Global North Theories of Global Political Economy The World Economy: Globalization and Interdependence The Dominant Economic Institutions Regional and Bilateral Economic Cooperation Chapter 11. Global Political Economy: A Search for Equity in a Dependent System The Diverse Circumstances of the World Economy Dependency, Institutions and North-South Economic Relations Applied Economic Policy IR Thoery and the Future of Economic Development Chapter 12. Human Rights: A Tool for Preserving and Enhancing Human Dignity The Emergence of Human Rights Language, Laws and Norms Human Rights Enforcement Human Rights Issues and Advocacy Chapter 13. Global Political Ecology An Ecological State of the World Global Carrying Capacity Global Climate Change Author Biography: Mark Boyer is Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor at the University of Connecticut. He is also the Executive Director of the International Studies Association. Natalie Hudson is Associate Professor of Political Science and the Director of the Human Rights Studies Program at the University of Dayton. Michael Butler is Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Henry J. and Erna D. Leir Luxembourg Program at Clark University.