Ideal as a brief main text for IR Theories courses or as a supplemental text for IR, American Foreign Policy, or Global Studies courses, International Relations Theory: A Primer covers the main definitions, concepts, arguments, and criticisms regarding the five predominant IR theories and approaches used in the field today: realism, liberalism, constructivism, economic structuralism, and feminism. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, it helps students understand and critique the theories and apply them to real-world issues.
FEATURES
Presents the essential elements, assumptions, and development of the top five IR theories used by researchers in the field
"Family Tree" graphics show how each theory contains within it a series of sub-theories that help explain specific phenomena
Applies each theory to the same two case studies: one on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and the other on the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Includes summary tables for each case study in every theory chapter, providing quick summaries and visuals that connect the theories to the case studies
Ties the theories together in a concluding chapter, demonstrating their overlapping nature and highlighting each one's strengths and weaknesses as explanatory tools in IR
Each chapter ends with Key Terms and Suggested Reading.
Chapter 1. Introduction
Evolution of International Relations Theories
The Study of International Relations
Levels of Analysis
, Case Study I: Proliferation
, Case Study II: Trade and the World Reade Organization (WTO)
Organization of the Book
Chapter 2. Realism
, Roots and Evolution of Realism
, Central Assumptions
Classical Realism
, Pioneers in the Field
, Spotlight on Policymakers: George Kennan
Neorealism (Structural Realism)
, Pioneers in the Field
, Polarity and Balance versus Imbalance of Power
Neoclassical Realism
, Pioneers in the Field
Mercantilism
Criticisms of Realism
, Case Study: Proliferation
, Case Study: WTO
Chapter 3. Liberalism
Roots and Evolution of Liberalism
, Central Assumptions
Liberal Internationalism
, Pioneers in the Field
Neoliberal Institutionalism
, Pioneers in the Field
, Barriers to Cooperation and How States Overcome Them
Laissez-Faire and Economic Liberalism
, Pioneers on the Field
Spotlight on Policymakers: John Maynard Keynes
, Globalization and Liberal Economic Policies in Crisis?
Criticisms of Liberalism
, Case Study: Proliferation
, Case Study: WTO
Conclusion
Chapter 4. Economic Structuralism
Roots and Evolution of Economic Structuralism
, Central Assumptions
Classical Marxism and Imperialism
, Pioneers in the Field
Economic Structuralism and Dependency Theory
, Pioneers in the Field
Spotlight on Policymakers: Raul Prebisch
—Marxist Variant of Dependency Theory
—Non-Marxist Variant of Dependency Theory
World Systems Theory
, Pioneers in the Field
Criticisms of Economic Structuralism
, Case Study: Proliferation
, Case Study: WTO
Conclusion
Chapter 5. Constructivism
Constructivism and the Third Debate
Roots and Evolution of Constructivism
Central Assumptions
Spotlight on Policymakers: Raphael Lemkin
Emergence of Constructivism
—Modernist Constructivists: Pioneers in the Field
—Naturalistic Constructivists: Pioneers in the Field
—Postmodernist Constructivists: Pioneers in the Field
Criticisms of Constructivism
, Case Study: Proliferation
, Case Study: WTO
Conclusion
Chapter 6. Feminism
Feminism: A Movement
Spotlight on Policymakers: Margot Wallstr:om
Roots and Evolution of Feminist International Relations Theory
, Central Assumptions
Family of Theories
, Feminist Empiricism
, The Feminist Standpoint
, Feminist Postmodernism
, Pioneers in the Field
Criticisms of Feminism
, Case Study: Proliferation
, Case Study: WTO
Conclusion
Chapter 7. Conclusion
Ontology and Epistemology Revisited
Towards a Holistic Approach to Studying International Relations
, English School
, Critical Theory
, Post-Colonialism
Case Studies: A Holistic Approach to Proliferation and Trade Liberalization
, Proliferation
, Trade Liberalization and the WTO
Where do we go from here?
"International Relations Theory: A Primer offers a comprehensive and cutting-edge approach to the analysis of contemporary international affairs. It provides the essential frameworks of analysis required for sound theorizing about world politics, along with contributions that represent the depth and breadth of the discipline of international relations theory." - James A. Mitchell, California State University, Northridge
"This text bridges the gap between abstract theory and application of theory to real-world issues." - Evan Robertson, Purdue University North Central
"International Relations Theory: A Primer comprehensively covers international relations theories with a real-world case-study application." - Karolina Lulu, Rutgers University
"We need a comprehensive book at the undergraduate level on IR theories. I would not hesitate to adopt this one." - Agber Dimah, Chicago State University
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