Since the field of International Relations was established almost a century ago, many different theoretical approaches have been developed, each offering distinctive accounts of the world, why it has come to be the way it is, and how it might be made a better place. In this illuminating textbook, leading IR scholar, Stephanie Lawson, examines each of these theories in turn, from political realism in its various forms to liberalism, Marxism, critical theory and more recent contributions from social theory, feminism, postcolonialism and green theory. Taking as her focus the major practical issues facing scholars of international relations today, Lawson ably shows how each theory relates to situations ?on the ground?. Each chapter features case studies, questions for discussion to encourage reflection and classroom debate, guides to further reading and web resources. The study of IR is a profoundly normative enterprise, and each theoretical school has its strengths and weaknesses. Theories of International Relations encourages a critical, reflective approach to the study of IR theory, while emphasising the many important and interesting things it has to teach us about the complexities and challenges of international politics today.

This cutting-edge textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to international relations theory. Arguing that theory is central to explaining the dynamics of world politics, it includes a wide variety of theoretical positions--from the historically dominant traditions to powerful critical voices since the 1980s. The editors have brought together a team of international contributors, each specializing in a different theory. The contributors explain the theoretical background to their positions before showing how and why their theories matter. The book opens up space for analysis and debate, allowing students to decide which theories they find most useful in explaining and understanding international relations.

Drawing on a wealth of expertise from an international team of contributors, the second edition of International Relations Theories presents a diverse selection of theoretical positions. Arguing that theory is central to explaining the dynamics of world politics, editors Tim Dunne, Milja Kurki, and Steve Smith cover a wide variety of theoretical positions--from the historically dominant traditions to powerful critical voices since the 1980s. The editors have brought together a team of international contributors, each specializing in a different theory. The contributors explain the theoretical background to their positions before showing how and why their theories matter. The book opens up space for analysis and debate, allowing students to decide which theories they find most useful in explaining and understanding international relations.

Torbjorn L. Knutsen introduces ideas on international relations expressed by thinkers from the High Middle Ages to the present day and traces the development of four ever-present themes: war, peace, wealth and power. The book counters the view that international relations has no theoretical tradition and shows that scholars, soldiers and statesmen have been speculating about the subject for the last 700 years. Beginning with the roots of the state and the concept of sovereignty in the Middle Ages, the author draws upon the insights of outstanding political thinkers - from Machiavelli and Hobbes to Hegel, Rousseau, and Marx and contemporary thinkers such as Woodrow Wilson, Lenin, Morgenthau and Walt - who profoundly influenced the emergence of a discrete discipline of International Relations in the twentieth century. Fully revised and updated, the final section embraces more recent approaches to the study of international relations, most notably postmodernism and ecologism.

SAGE Course Companions provide students with an insider's guide into how to make the most of their undergraduate courses and extend their understanding of the key concepts covered. Ideal for anyone new to the study of international relations or looking for a refresher, this Course Companion includes a comprehensive introduction to the competing theories at the heart of the discipline as well as hints and tips on how to apply them when tackling coursework or examinations. Written in a straightforward and clear style, it is designed to augment, rather than replace, existing textbooks for the course and provides: o pointers to success in course exams and written assessment exercises; o easy access to the key theories in international relations; o guidance on the essential study skills required to pass the course; o help with developing critical thinking; o 'taking it further' sections that suggest how readers can extend their thinking beyond the received wisdom.

Dougherty, James, Pfaltzgraff, Jr., Robert L., Contending Theories of International Relations: A Comprehensive Survey, 5th Edition*\ The most comprehensive and inclusive survey and synthesis available on the subject, this book makes the rich, ever-evolving complexity of IR theories accessible and fascinating for readers. Widely acclaimed for its vast scope, engaging writing style, and abundant citation of reference sources, the Fifth Edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the various paradigmatic and theoretical debates that have emerged since the end of the Cold War. The book incorporates the most significant current writings on all areas of theory from neorealism, neoliberal theory, postmodernism, and contructivism to globalization, ethnic conflict, international terrorism, and new approaches to deterrence amidst proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction technologies. For those interested in International Relations.

International Relations Theory: A Critical Introduction is an innovative new textbook, which introduces students to the main theories in International Relations. It also deconstructs each theory allowing students not only to understand them, but also to critically engage with the assumptions and myths that underpin them. It does this by using five familiar films as tools for first understanding each theory and then for understanding the myths that make them so persuasive for some people. Key features of this textbook include: * coverage of the main theories and traditions including: Realism & Neo-realism; Idealism and Neo-idealism; Liberalism; Constructivism; Postmodernism; Gender; Globalisation and the 'End of History' * innovative use of narratives from five famous films that students will be familiar with: Lord of the Flies; Independence Day; Wag the Dog; Fatal Attraction; and The Truman Show * clearly written, providing students with boxed key concepts, guides to further reading and thinking. This breakthrough textbook has been designed to unravel the complexities of International Relations theory in a way that allows students a clearer idea of how the theories work and some of the myths that are associated with them.