Advanced Introduction to International Relations

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.

This insightful Advanced Introduction presents a succinct overview of International Relations (IR), addressing contemporary issues, challenging assumptions, and critically examining the fundamental aspects of the field.

Benjamin de Carvalho and Halvard Leira showcase the diversity of IR by reconfiguring the theoretical traditions around empire, recurrence and science. They illustrate that, while the discipline has traditionally focused on state-to-state interactions, it now also includes non-state actors such as multinational companies, media platforms, autonomous or contested regions, influential individuals and international organizations. The book combines historical and theoretical accounts to emphasize the multifaceted nature of IR and reflect on how this can be used to explain the global issues of today.

Key Features:

• Historicises current questions and challenges
• Debunks mythologized accounts of global politics
• Advocates for the centrality of borders to understanding IR

Students and scholars of IR, international politics, public policy and political economy will greatly benefit from this discerning Advanced Introduction.

Benjamin de Carvalho, Research Professor in International Relations and Halvard Leira, Research Professor in International Relations and Research Director, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, Norway