Global Politics Applying Theory to a Complex World

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 "naïve" at the same time.

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.

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