American Government and Politics

"International relations is a discipline that attempts to answer big questions about the way the world works. However, even big questions like ""Why is there war?"" or ""How can we solve global environmental problems?"" or ""Is there such a thing as Universal Human Rights?"" start with simple basic categories, themes, and approaches. This textbook does not presume that all students have in-depth knowledge of world affairs or clearly formulated opinions about the complexities of international politics. Instead, it presumes that all students can readily grasp the fundamental importance of studying the interactions that take place among humans at the global level and introduces students to the terminology, concepts, and theories that will enable them to make their own assessments about international politics, past and present. This text uses a unique combination of foundational readings and primary sources, application case studies, articles, and analytical essays to provide students with a thorough and practical introduction to international relations.

International Relations is organized in five units:

•Unit one introduces readers to the concept of globalization and to the players in the international system.

•Unit two introduces readers to international relations theory.

•Unit three concentrates on the study of conflict and war, which is a fundamental concern of international relations theory.

•Unit four examines human rights, alongside the concepts of rules and laws in the international system and humanitarian intervention.

•Unit five returns to the topic of globalization.

Sara Parker is a Political Science faculty member at Chabot Community College in Hayward, CA. Parker teaches Political Science and International Relations courses, with the goal of introducing students to the fascinating world of domestic and international affairs and inspiring them to be lifelong students of politics. Parker earned her Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Delaware.