Introduction to International Relations: Theory and Practice

by Joyce P. Kaufman

Overview

This clear and concise text introduces four key theoretical frameworks that form the foundation of international relations—realism, liberalism, constructivism, and feminist theory—and uses levels of analysis as the primary unifying force to explain contemporary global politics. Cases on climate change; gender, peace, and security; migration; and the rise of China illustrate Kaufman's approach.

The third edition explains core issues in international relations, such as the interaction of nations in a globalized world; the growing threat posed by non-state actors and civil conflicts; and the need for countries to work together to counter what have been called “existential crises,” such as climate change, which threaten human lives and the planet. Significant revisions focus on discussion of democratic backsliding, the Covid-19 pandemic, cyberterrorism and cyberwar, changes to the European Union, and expanded coverage of international political economy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538158937
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/23/2022
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 5.90(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Joyce P. Kaufman is professor emerita of political science and founding director of the Center for Engagement with Communities at Whittier College. She continues to teach courses on IR. Her books include A Concise History of U.S. Foreign Policy, fifth edition; Women at War, Women Building Peace: Challenging Gender Norms; Women and War: Gender Identity and Activism in Times of Conflict; Women, the State, and War: A Comparative Perspective on Citizenship and Nationalism; Providing for National Security: A Comparative Analysis;and The Future of Transatlantic Relations: Perceptions, Policy, and Practice.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction: International Relations in a Globalized World

Why International Relations Is Important

International Relations in a Globalized World

Globalization

What Does Globalization Mean for the Study of IR?

2 Theoretical Overview

What Is Theory and Why Is It Important?

Levels of Analysis: A Framework for Understanding IR

Introduction to Basic IR Theories

Summary

3 The Nation-State Level

Definition of Nation-State

History of the Nation-State

Balance of Power and Alliances

Understanding National Interest

War and Peace

Issues of Peace and Post-Conflict Reconstruction

The Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) Process

Summary

4 Within the Nation-State

The Government, i.e., the “State” part of the Nation-State

Culture and Society

The Role of the Individual

Summary

5 Nonstate Actors and the International System

The Changing Nature of the International System

International Organizations

Intergovernmental Organizations (IG's)

Nongovernmental Organizations (NG's)

The Concept of “Civil Society”

Terrorism: A Challenge to the International System

Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

The Role of the Media

Summary

6 Pulling It All Together

Introduction to the Cases

Case 1: Environmental Protection as a Common Good

Case 2: The Movement of People in a Globalized World

Case 3: The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda

Case 4: China: Adversary or “Frenemy”?

Lessons of the Cases: Understanding International Relations in a Globalized World

Further Readings

Notes

Editorial Reviews

Kaufman delivers an excellent edition on international relations theory and practice, capturing the changing realities of international politics and demonstrating that adjustments to theory are critical to grasping them. Kaufman clearly addresses complex theoretical constructs needed to properly study and analyze international relations and highlights their relevance for understanding contemporary dilemmas. Introduction to International Relations is a welcome contribution to the current relevance and significance of international relation theories and practice.

Gregory Freeland

I have been using various editions of Joyce Kaufman’s Introduction to International Relations since it first published, and I continue using this book because it remains clear, concise, current, easy to understand, and affordable. Kaufman deftly manages to combine levels of analysis, concise summaries of competing theories, box text excerpts of famous cases and classic statements, and up-to-date coverage of recent developments like global climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m confident my students are engaging with this book because I see references to it on almost every written assignment they submit. It’s hard to introduce a broad and contested field like IR in one succinct textbook, but Kaufman pulls it off admirably and provides us with a solid foundation for enthusiastically introducing our students to world politics.

Scott Pegg

I have been using various editions of Joyce Kaufman's Introduction to International Relations since it first published, and I continue using this book because it remains clear, concise, current, easy to understand, and affordable. Kaufman deftly manages to combine levels of analysis, concise summaries of competing theories, box text excerpts of famous cases and classic statements, and up-to-date coverage of recent developments like global climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. I'm confident my students are engaging with this book because I see references to it on almost every written assignment they submit. It's hard to introduce a broad and contested field like IR in one succinct textbook, but Kaufman pulls it off admirably and provides us with a solid foundation for enthusiastically introducing our students to world politics.

Kaufman delivers an excellent edition on international relations theory and practice, capturing the changing realities of international politics and demonstrating that adjustments to theory are critical to grasping them. Kaufman clearly addresses complex theoretical constructs needed to properly study and analyze international relations and highlights their relevance for understanding contemporary dilemmas. Introduction to International Relations is a welcome contribution to the current relevance and significance of international relation theories and practice.

Kaufman has written a very accessible, comprehensive, and updated text that students will find extremely valuable. Beginning with the question, "Why study IR?", the book introduces readers to international relations theories and approaches (realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, and feminist IR) as well as the levels of analysis framework. The theories and levels of analysis are woven throughout the subsequent chapters that address the major conceptual areas of IR: the nation-state and war/peace, factors within the state, and non-state actors. The final chapter utilizes these tools to analyze four contemporary in-depth case studies--environmental protection; migration; women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda; and China.

Kaufman provides a theory-informed introduction to international relations hitting all the conceptual constructs that define a mainstream approach to this field.... Historically grounded and theoretically informed, this work references important contributors to the field over the past century, laying the groundwork for deeper exploration in any given area. It is a perfect introduction to the field. Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and general readers.

From the Publisher

Kaufman has written a very accessible, comprehensive, and updated text that students will find extremely valuable. Beginning with the question, “Why study IR?”, the book introduces readers to international relations theories and approaches (realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, and feminist IR) as well as the levels of analysis framework. The theories and levels of analysis are woven throughout the subsequent chapters that address the major conceptual areas of IR: the nation-state and war/peace, factors within the state, and non-state actors. The final chapter utilizes these tools to analyze four contemporary in-depth case studies—environmental protection; migration; women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda; and China.

Kristen Williams

Kaufman provides a theory-informed introduction to international relations hitting all the conceptual constructs that define a mainstream approach to this field…. Historically grounded and theoretically informed, this work references important contributors to the field over the past century, laying the groundwork for deeper exploration in any given area. It is a perfect introduction to the field. Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and general readers.

Choice Reviews

Joyce Kaufman’s updated introduction to the field utilizes extensive examples recently peppering the headlines and is sure to pique the interest of typical undergraduates. The text moves swiftly, though understandably, from the fundamentals of IR analysis to applying these methods to specific cases. Unlike some basic texts, feminist theory is treated equally to other prominent perspectives and the value as well as limitations of various methodological lenses are made clear. Moreover, the book’s brevity is conducive to assigning supplementary readings and current events fostering greater student engagement.

Erik Pratt

Joyce Kaufman's Introduction to International Relations: Theory and Practice is an excellent choice for the introductory classroom. In an invigorating approach to IR, it provides students with the concepts they need to understand the world around them while not limiting them to one perspective.

Eric K. Leonard

Given that so much of our thinking about political parties revolves around their social anchorage it is surprising how little we actually know about the way parties link to society. This landmark study by Elin Haugsgjerd Allern on the relationship between parties and interest groups in Norway represents an important step toward filling this lacuna in our knowledge – empirically and methodologically. It reminds us that empirical reality is far more diverse than general theories make us believe. Norwegian parties maintain diverse and multifaceted links to societal organizations, and they differ substantially.

Thomas Poguntke

The second edition of Introduction to International Relations: Theory and Practice is a superb textbook—clear, precise, and comprehensive. Among its best features is a highly intelligible presentation of what is meant by theory, which is always a challenge in such courses. The book also is very current with important developments in international relations, such as cyberterrorism. Joyce Kaufman blends together ideas and case material in a seamless manner to offer an outstanding introduction to international relations. —Patrick James, Dornsife Dean’s Professor of International Relations, University of Southern California

Patrick James

Kaufman provides a theory-informed introduction to international relations hitting all the conceptual constructs that define a mainstream approach to this field…. Historically grounded and theoretically informed, this work references important contributors to the field over the past century, laying the groundwork for deeper exploration in any given area. It is a perfect introduction to the field. Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and general readers.

Choice

Introduction to International Relations is a textbook suitable for an introductory international relations course. The author begins the first chapter by describing the different levels of analysis and concludes by defining globalization and noting how it impacts the study of international relations. In chapter 2 the main international relations theories (i.e., realism, liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, and feminism) and their variants are introduced. The author does a good job of describing and providing critiques of each theory. Chapter 3 explains the state level including the Treaty of Westphalia, balance of power and alliances, national interest, war, and peace. Actions inside of states are the focus of chapter 4, which includes an explanation of government, culture, ethnic conflict, and the role of the individual. Nonstate actors are examined in chapter 5, including intergovernmental organizations (with emphasis on the UN, NATO, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and the EU), NG's, and multinational corporations. The final chapter seeks to provide real-world examples of the key concepts and issues inherent in international relations by examining how states in the system can solve problems concerning the environment, human rights, and immigration. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduate collections.

CHOICE