International Politics on the World Stage: Brief Edition

Rourke and Boyer (both: political science, U. of Connecticut) concentrate on accessibility in this new edition of their undergraduate text, starting with their explanation of how world politics evolved and why it is important. They continue by examining levels of analysis (system, state, and individual), the role of nationalism as a traditional orientation and the change to globalism and transnationalism, the traditional structure of national states v. international organization, and national power and diplomacy v. international law and morality. They also cover security, the global economy as both competition and cooperation, human rights, and the global commons, such as sustainable development, population and resources, and the environment. Annotation 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)