International Relations Shiraev, Eric B. and Zubok, Vladislav M.

Product Description Using a three-part framework of Ideas, Arguments, and Contexts and Applications, International Relations, Second Edition, shows students how to think critically about issues and current events in world politics. Each chapter first describes key concepts and developments in the field (Ideas), then presents the main theoretical and analytical approaches (Arguments), and finally applies the main theories and approaches within the individual, state, and global contexts (Contexts and Applications). Review "The text does an excellent job of grabbing the reader's attention with appropriate and interesting opening case narratives. It is also very well organized and includes clear and concise learning objectives as well as the more common attention to consistent application of theories and analytical concepts and tools... The consistency of presentation/organization around theoretical paradigms and levels of analysis, in addition to the consistent inclusion of 'learning goals' is the primary strength." ―Juliann Emmons Allison, UC Riverside"I believe Shiraev and Zubok, unlike the authors of most IR textbooks, made a wise decision to adopt a consistent chapter outline, which focuses on three basic and vitally important questions. This creative and unique approach helps to focus students' minds on the big picture, which is how to apply the different theoretical perspectives to reality... Shiraev and Zubok have done an exemplary job of applying IR theories to historical and contemporary reality, as well as applying IR theories in the individual, state, and global contexts." ―Mir Zohair Husain, University of South Alabama"The text differentiates itself from others with the chapter learning objectives, which serves as a guidepost for the various discussions and lessons packed into each chapter." ―Richard Aidoo, Coastal Carolina University"What makes this book different is its shorter focus and to-the-point perspective. It does not spend a lot of pages on ancillary empirical questions. It gets to the heart of the theoretical issues and brings in enough empirics to make the points required, but no more. This is a good thing... Lots of empirical examples to help provide context as to what IR is and how it is studied is helpful...I thought it subtly introduced a lot of important theoretical ideas without being bogged down in theoretical language that may be difficult for students to understand." ―Marcus Holmes, College of William & Mary"Conceptually rich textbook with consistent structure bridging theory and empirical world. Not many textbooks have such consistent structure and rich conceptual content." ―Mariam Dekanozishvili, Coastal Carolina University About the Author Eric B. Shiraev is Professor and Senior Research Associate in the Department of Public and International Affairs at George Mason University. Recent works include Cross-Cultural Psychology, People and Their Opinions, The Soviet Union: Internal and External Perspectives on Soviet Society, and Counting Every Vote: The Most Contentious Elections In American History. Vladislav M. Zubok is Professor of History at the London School of Economics. Recent works include Zhivago's Children: The Last Russian Intelligentsia, A Failed Empire: The Soviet Union in the Cold War from Stalin to Gorbachev, and Anti-Americanism in Russia: From Stalin to Putin.