Understanding International Politics: The Student Toolkit

Understanding International Politics provides a comprehensive and accessible guide to the key systems, actors, and issues of international politics, focusing on political players and offering contemporary examples and case-studies. It also includes digital resources and a thorough grounding in Marxist, feminist, and postcolonial perspectives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Understanding International Politics is a comprehensive and accessible guide to the key systems, actors, and issues of international politics. It covers core concepts and questions for political study, and presents a toolkit that enables students to apply theory and historical context in independent research. This introduction frames complex international systems coherently by focusing on political players, and, as a single-authored work, delivers a consistent critical approach throughout. This authoritative and clearly organised textbook offers:

Contemporary examples and case studies for approaching international relations from the perspective of its actors.

‘How to guides, including methods for constructing an argument, conducting analysis, and preparing a policy brief.

Companion digital resources for both students and lecturers, including lecture slides, a test bank, role-play exercises, and discussion materials, adaptable to various class sizes.

A thorough grounding in Marxist, feminist, and postcolonial perspectives, as well as more traditional viewpoints.

The book begins by exploring the historical roots of contemporary international systems, examining the factors that have shaped them, and considering the impact of war, unequal development, and international cooperation on these systems. It then moves on to examine the key actors and institutions that operate within these systems, including nation-states, international organisations, and non-governmental organisations.

The book also explores the theories and perspectives that inform our understanding of international politics, including realism, liberalism, Marxism, and postcolonialism. It provides students with a critical framework for analysing and evaluating these theories and applying them to real-world examples.

Throughout the book, there are numerous case studies and examples that illustrate the key concepts and theories discussed. These examples range from the Cold War to the Arab Spring, from the European Union to the United Nations, and from globalisation to climate change. Each case study is accompanied by discussion questions and exercises that help students apply the theory and analysis to their own research.

In addition, the book includes a companion website that offers additional resources for students, including lecture slides, a test bank, and discussion materials. The website also includes a blog that features articles and commentary on current events and issues in international politics.

Understanding International Politics is an essential textbook for students studying international politics, politics, and global studies. It provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the key systems, actors, and issues of international politics, and offers a toolkit that enables students to apply theory and historical context in independent research. The book's contemporary examples and case studies, 'how to guides, and companion digital resources make it an invaluable resource for both students and lecturers.

Weight: 750g
Dimension: 246 x 189 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350381667