Overall, the book is not culturally insensitive. I understand that IR is interdisciplinary and rooted in the arts and humanities, but I also think that IR can be presented in a straight-forward and clinical way that makes reading and writing on the topic simple and accessible. it does not flow very well. I did particularly like Chapter 12, "Connectivity, Communications, and Technology," because it discusses things like the internet and internet commerce that relate directly to students' lives. The first section of the book, "The Basics," did not cover the basics in as much detail as I would have liked to see. The Democratic Peace Theory - E-International Relations Being able to point to good visualizations (charts, in particular) in the textbook would be much more of a strength than a distraction. In my introductory course, I tend to delve a bit deeper into a number of issues, but this textbook overall provides a good framework to build those discussions off of. The philosophy underpinning this book is that these things can be a distraction. The broad organization of the text into The Basics (Part One) and Global Issues (Part Two) and the sequencing of the chapters in Part One are logical. The organization, structure, and flow of the text are effective, and assigning the sections in a different order would not be detrimental to this. I wish the first four chapters of the basics section were covered much better. Possibly, a glossary can be provided at the end of book so that students can refer to definitions of main terms easily. Sometimes with one or two writers the content can be limited by the writers knowledge and interest. It seems that the editor chose breath over depth. This book is not that. You must sign in to add this item to your wishlist. Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts However, using it as the primary text for college students in the United States would require a lot of extra work (developing a glossary,discussion questions, finding the images,charts, figures going along with the text, etc.). IR is a discipline that is always changing. it would have helped if the editor pushed the contributing authors to adapt a more nuanced language for their chapters. Managing Global Security Beyond Pax Americana'. I thought the chapters on the environment and food security were bandwidth bills to ensure we keep our existing titles free to view. There were no navigation problems (the table of contents was accurate). Best International Relations Courses [2023] | Coursera The chapter on protecting people is really about war and civil war presented in a novel way. read more. Finally, the text is sufficiently sensitive in cultural terms, and should present no issues to educators who assign it. At best, this organization is a missed opportunity. I believe it is because the editor did not set out a clear organizing theme for the test. In general, the book presents accurate accounts of the key themes in IR, from a range of perspectives. The book is a persuasive review of the theoretical foundations of international relations studies. Reviewed by Hakseon Lee, Professor, James Madison University on 11/26/21, It is pretty much comprehensive. It would help if each chapter is followed with its own references, rather than putting all the references at the end of the book. The professor using this text would almost certainly need to supplement it with additional readings, and would probably also need to put a good deal of thought into designing exercises, lectures, tests, and study guides based on this material. As a beginner's guide, it has been structured to condense the most important information into the smallest space and present that information in the most accessible way. It does well in covering traditional, enduring, and emerging issues and problems in international Critical Approaches to International Relations - Brill The chapters in Part 2, "Global Issues," were covered in much greater detail. Its underlying, yet subtle, theme is that of globalization, and globalization has taken a hit with the pandemic. Still, I believe it's highly consistent, and any small discrepancy across authors would not generate any confusion to students. read more. This book covers an impressive range of topics. Zo Jay, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of Tasmania, Australia. The text does not suffer from problems with navigation, image distortion, or other interface issues. The approachability of the text and relevant case studies will leave students with the tools needed to understand and analyse international events. Same as above comment in "modularity". Foundations of International Relations - Goodreads Highly relevant, but, of course, the most recent IR events (e.g., the evolution of US foreign policy during the Trump and the Biden Administrations, etc.) My sense is that this omission emerges from its European perspective. The book is complimented by a website, featuring interactive learning material that expands on each chapter of the book. It has a bibliography, but throughout the text, is uses very few references, even when it seems obvious that the reader would like to know more. I did not notice any typos, but the authors used informal/casual writing that I ban my undergraduates from using. This title is available for exam copy requests. The Theoretical and Practical Importance of a Theory of International Relations, by Hans J. Morgenthau Appendix 3. This is a huge oversimplification of the system of colonization and the history of countries post-colonization. But the book refuses to use "buzzwords" like "globalization" because the authors do not want to get "bogged down in big debates" around complex terms. The book is very comprehensive. Each chapter has a separate author but it does begin by making a connection to other chapters. amount, in any currency, is appreciated. International relations - Structures, institutions, and levels of Overall, the book's flow is consistent. Spicemas Launch 28th April, 2023 - Facebook I found the book to be accurate on the topics it covers. The chapters are consistent in length and style. But the book refuses to use "buzzwords" like "globalization" because the authors The journey starts by examining how the international system was formed and ends by reflecting that International Relations is always adapting to events and is therefore a never-ending journey of discovery. read more. I did have some issue with some concepts or historical developments being explained out-of-order or across multiple chapters, for example the history and development of the UN--which is spread across chapters 4, 5, and 6--and the Cold War, which is discussed piecemeal in multiple chapters. John A. Rees is a Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Notre Dame Australia. The book is written clearly and at a level that undergraduate college students should have no problems There is no assumption that the reader has been exposed to the field of IR. Dana Gold works in regulatory strategy and research for the Ontario Public Service. In this case, the book can benefit from an interface with images, charts and other displays that would further the readers understanding of the key concepts, structures, and institutions and there role in IR. Would you like to go to the United States site? Many reviewers have noted that the book doesn't talk about war. Beyond that introduction of the advent of sovereign state, the book goes on to address the international global condition satisfactorily encompassing all regions and peoples. E-International Relations has partnered with Bloomsbury to produce a fully featured textbook for beginners. there is a number of redundant discussions along with a lack of integration of different topics. Featuring a combination of chapters authored by leading scholars, researchers and practitioners from around the world, this textbook takes into account the historical development of international relations and the web of dynamics that forms the subject, resulting in a clear analysis of the . The only downside is lack of index, which I presume is a costly endeavor. I also think it does a good job being unbiased. Why on earth would you want to teach IR without thinking about any examples and without getting students thinking about what policies have what impact on the people living around the world? While the preface indicates that there are "no boxes, charts, pictures, or exercises" because "these things can be a distraction", I find that in particular to be counterproductive. As an introductory textbook, the book is composed of considerably simplified narratives. There are definitely better books out there, though. It clearly covers all of the major themes, theories, concepts and trends in an extremely dynamic subject matters. There is little jargon, as was the author's intention, but this makes the writing seem even too simplistic for college students. Moving away from a purely European perspective, students will gain an understanding of traditional ideas about International Organisation, whilst also appreciating how issues such as COVID and food security are truly international in scope. Article A Brief Introduction to the Study of International Relations A feature for those interested in becoming familiar with the study of IR and also for students struggling to grasp how IR fits together. A book review for the Open Textbook Library The overall narrative is engaging, but including visualizations only helps to keep that engagement, particularly with undergraduates. Foundations of International Relations delivers a comprehensive explanation of International Relations that includes a thorough introduction to critical theories and non-western viewpoints alongside established IR theories and narratives. One minor observation is that the left justification seemed to be in different spots from one page to the next. As Xi Befriends World Leaders, He Hardens His Stance on the U.S. This is an archaic way of teaching and learning about the world. Choose your preferred format. Overall, my impression of this book was that it could not be a standalone text for an introductory, college-level IR course. Several chapters use case studies and examplesaccurately describedto illustrate complex ideas and abstract concepts. The book is very consistent. Finally, the chapter concludes by illuminating the ways in which international organizations shape the world. The textbook does not provide and index or glossary, International Relations is an edited volume that attempts to cover all of the common themes in an introduction to IR course. I could not understand the organization of the chapters. Indeed, the accessible and conversational, yet informative and interesting, narrative style serves to distinguish the text from other introductory IR textbooks. There are many topics that I don't typically cover in an Intro to IR course but that I could see being interesting to students (e.g. 5. This is good for a smarter, more experienced reader, but it's a problem for most novice readers. Varying from liberal, equality-centric strategies to straightforward realist concepts, international relations theories are often used by diplomats and international relations experts to dictate the direction that a government may take in regards to an international political issue or concern. It then focuses on helping the reader to understand the various principle and theories, structure, key actors, and international organizations both state and nonstate . the edited volume obviously needs more charts, figures along with images. A Court of Thorns and Roses Paperback Box Set, Teachers, Librarians, Parents & Caregivers. International Relations is an edited volume that attempts to cover all of the common themes in an introduction to IR course. Insofar as the chapters construct the fundamental building blocks of IR, the book is internally consistent. Starting with boldfaced terms and a glossary would be good. The book is also complimented by a bespoke curated website, featuring a regularly updated collection of interactive learning material and hosted on E-International Relations, the world's leading open access IR website.Portraying the most compelling issues of our time, and presenting the necessary tools to analyse and debate the subject, this is an invaluable resource for anyone studying international relations. While the basic information conveyed in each chapter will remain relevant, I would want to know the editor's intentions for updating the text before implementing it in a course. Choose your preferred format. From this perspective, cooperative security policies do not preclude the need for suitable military capabilities or the occasional use of force. The authors of this book did well writing about the topics in a way that it will not become obsolete within a short period of time. Your School account is not valid for the United States site. As mentioned above, I appreciate that the book acknowledges the ways that IR as a discipline traditionally takes a Western approach. Instructors using this text will find that it is flexible and that sections can be assigned at different points within the course. The Invention of International Relations Theory For example, traditional Realists remain adamant that actors are individuals in international affairs, referencing . Between Theory and Practice: The Utility of International Relations The book is presented as a beginner's guide to International Relations and in this way is comprehensive in its presentation of basic issues relevant to the subject. Reviewed by Michael McNeal, Adjunct Instructor, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 10/24/19, See review pasted into the text window below. However, this concept does not explicitly organize the text, making it difficult to grasp the main points. They begin with a helpful introduction to the particular use of terms in IR theory, then proceed to define each of the traditional theories of liberalism and realism that have long dominated the discipline. entertainment, news presenter | 4.8K views, 31 likes, 13 loves, 80 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from GBN Grenada Broadcasting Network: GBN News 28th April 2023 Anchor: Kenroy Baptiste. read more. Even having authors use bold font for key terms would facilitate student learning. No major comments. I would also like to have seen each chapter end with a brief Further Reading list for students interested in the topic of the chapter, particularly since the main chapters in the first section are quite short. The book seems up to date, including citations from 2015. Many chapters could be combined for a more streamlined presentation. There should Actually, students would even appreciate the fact that IR scholars may have distinctive views/perspectives on historical/current events in IR. The first 4 chapters are really foundational for the rest of IR and the rest of the topics in the book, but the information is Why should we not be asking them to understand challenging terms? The book could have also strived forand consequently benefitted fromgreater diversity among the chapter authors, who are overwhelmingly from the West. Rosie Walters is a Lecturer in International Relations at Cardiff University. Some topics, however, are dispersed throughout various chapters and could benefit from being looked at in a single section/chapter. Some of the chapters reference concepts and theories in prior chapters. Additionally, the the subject of diplomacy itself was not explained very well or in much depth before the chapter went into quite a bit of detail covering nuclear proliferation, which seems to me to be something that should be discussed after basic concepts are covered. China's top leader, Xi Jinping, has rolled out the red carpet for President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva of Brazil, lauding him as "an old friend of the Chinese people.". So, when I'm looking for a book, I'm looking for a reference guide/companion to my lectures. As I mentioned earlier, the underlying theme seems to be that of globalization. It's as if the authors see IR as outside of the realm of human relevance. Dozen of ways to do it but it follows a somewhat standard approach. read more. It follows the basic format that most intro texts cover-- it starts with big themes and theories, and then proceeds to contemporary issues. Reviewed by George Amedee, Professor, SUNO on 12/12/19, The book is very comprehensive. The book does not have an index. . Political Realism in International Relations - Stanford Encyclopedia of You have been logged out of your account. An immensely user-friendly introduction to International Relations, replete with diagrams, maps, illustrations and helpful summaries of the material covered. On one side of the controversy was a revival of the school of realism, known as neorealism, which emerged with the publication of Kenneth Waltz's Theory of International Politics in 1979. The writing is extraordinarily free of jargon and the international relations vocabulary that is generally used in IR textbooks. Anitta Kynsilehto is a Senior Research Fellow at Tampere Peace Research Institute, Tampere University. Since the 1970s the study of international relations has been marked by a renewed debate about the relationship between structures and institutions in international systems. The graduate program provides students with a unique combination of analytic research and practical applications tools. In addition, the textbook does not talk about dictatorship and human rights violations, and the global response. An excellent educational resource. There were no major issues. For my purposes, the book is probably about 4.75/5 stars- as good or better than many existing textbooks, and close enough to the best textbooks to justify the switch given my desire to adopt open access educational resources. However, when combining various chapters from parts 1 and 2, the reading assignments are coherent. However, updates should be relatively easy. This book is not culturally sensitive because there are no people in it. Despite the daunting task it takes on, this textbook does an impressive job of covering a range of topics that form the focus of scholarly inquiry in the field. The content is up-to-date and incorporates both canonical and contemporary case studies in its explication of the material. The "global issues" section is extremely weak. Stephen McGlinchey has brought together a fantastic collection of authors who together present a wide-ranging, critical and accessible introduction to International Relations. The interface was fine. It would be nice if clicking on a chapter title or page number in the table of contents took you to the chapter. Foundations of International Relations is a wonderfully rich, yet highly accessible, introduction to International Relations, both as a subject and as a discipline. Reviewed by Xiaowen Zhang, Associate Professor, Augustana College on 7/17/19, A wide range of topics are covered. As I have said in previous comments, the first chapter is quite insensitive, but others are much more inclusive. There is one chapter about "culture and religion" (which, first of all, each deserve there own attention) which tells us nothing about how cultural diversity impacts international relations. The authors enumerate the principles of Sufi foundations of international relations in Islam by introducing the theosophical standpoints of Islamic Sufism. technology, food) and the short chapters mean the students could quickly gain insights into those topics. Again, the quality of the prose varies from chapter to chapter. Chapters cover topics including race, colonialism, gender, sexuality, digital globalization, the environment and security studies and are supported by a range of case studies, key boxes and illustrative material to aid students in their practical application of theoretical ideas. Each chapter should really end with its own list of sources cited, rather than having one long references section at the end of the book. $130.00 Other new and used from $119.08. Foundations of International Relations is a wonderfully rich, yet highly accessible, introduction to International Relations, both as a subject and as a discipline. This chapter covers the individual, group, state, and systems levels of analysis and the implication of it for comprehending international relations. The Invention of International Relations Theory: Realism, the - JSTOR It begins with the contents of international law, including the aim of preserving international order and providing for greater justice in foreign affairs between states. Chapters cover topics including race, colonialism, gender, sexuality, digital globalization, the environment and security studies and are supported by a range of case studies, key boxes and illustrative material to aid students in their practical application of theoretical ideas. Natalie Jester is a Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology at the University of Gloucestershire. Raul Pacheco-Vega is an Associate Professor at the Methods Lab of the Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO) Sede Mexico. 11. International Law Knut Traisbach Bringing down the number of chapters would also help in fitting the text into a standard 15 week semester long classes (at least in North America). The textbook is up-to-date. As a reader in the field, it seemed to me that this was a little strict and that a good professor could easily reorganize the book in order to, for example, assign an "issues" chapter along with a "basics" chapter in order to illustrate some points. Supported by helpful case studies, key insights and key term features, the book will enable its readers to navigate the complexities of global politics. This is an important and fruitful area of debate but the chapter does not go into it and there is not enough theory in the book for students to recognize and make sense of it. The events, concepts and examples used in it are durable enough that it will not need to be regularly updated. Gender and Sexuality Rosie Walters, 14. International Security Natalie Jester For instance, assigning one chapter from Part One of the text ('The Basics') along with one chapter from Part Two of the text ('Global Issues') would usefully blend the more theoretically, abstract discussion of topics in Part One with the more detailed, case-specific treatment in Part Two.