International Relations - Softcover

Shiraev, Eric B.; Zubok, Vladislav M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199746516 ISBN 13: 9780199746514

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2012

Synopsis

What do we study in international relations? How do we study it? And how do we apply it?

Using these guiding questions as a framework, International Relations shows students how to think critically about issues in world politics. In each chapter, a brief opening case is followed by a description of key developments, an explanation of the main approaches to analyze them, and applications of those approaches in individual, state, and global contexts. The authors provide extensive historical information throughout, giving students a holistic frame of reference from which to understand current events.

FEATURES:

* A consistent analytical framework organized around three questions encourages critical thinking

* Three full chapters on key approaches--realism (Ch. 2), liberalism (Ch. 3), and constructivist and other modern perspectives (Ch. 4)--along with coverage of relevant theories and levels of analysis in each chapter introduce students to a broad spectrum of approaches

* Two chapters give unique emphasis to cultural and identity factors (Ch. 8) and predictions for the future (Ch. 12)

* "Visual Review" summaries enable students to visualize how all the material fits together

* Concluding "Past, Present, and Future" sections apply each chapter's material to both classic and contemporary challenges

* "Debate" boxes focus on controversial questions and issues and ask students to consider their own views

* "Case in Point" features provide in-depth examinations of current or historical events and include critical-thinking questions that ask students to think about these events, using the approaches they have learned

* An Instructor's Resource Manual, a Computerized Test Bank, Videos, and a Companion Website www.oup.com/us/shiraev provide additional resources for students and instructors

About this title

About the Author:

Eric Shiraev is a researcher and professor at George Mason University. He is the author, coauthor, or coeditor of twelve books and numerous publications, including Russian Government and Politics (2010) and Counting Every Vote: The Most Contentious Elections in American History (2008).

Vladislav Zubok is a professor at the London School of Economics. He is the author of numerous books and articles, including the prize-winning Inside the Kremlin's Cold War (1996) and A Failed Empire: The Soviet Union in the Cold War (2007).

Review:

"The framework of International Relations is very direct. Students will surely appreciate this easily grasped approach. Shiraev and Zubok impressively take students through a tour of the grand problems that preoccupy heads of state and government and inspire students to think through their own solutions."--Ross E. Burkhart, Boise State University

"Clearly written, timely, and informed by debates among scholars while relevant and engaging for the average student. Its comparative advantage is an approachable integration of theoretical debates with engaging applications of concepts."--David Goldberg, College of DuPage

"I applaud the authors' focus on critical thinking, structured discussion, attention to historical information, cultural and identity factors, and pedagogical devices."--Binnur Ozkececi-Taner, Hamline University

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0199746516
• ISBN 13: 9780199746514
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 528