Perspectives on International Relations

Henry R. Nau’s best-selling bookPerspectives on International Relations, is admired for its even-handed presentation of realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical theory and for expertly applying those perspectives to world affairs in every chapter. The newSeventh Edition includes updates on Brexit, the rise of nationalism, the escalation of terrorism, the use of social media in political protests around the world, and continuing developments in North Korea, Syria, Iran, China, and Russia.

"Nau clarifies that which is complicated, thereby allowing students to make better sense of their world and to become better global citizens."
—Stewart DippelUniversity of the Ozarks

Henry R. Nau’s best-selling bookPerspectives on International Relations, is admired for its even-handed presentation of realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical theory and for integrating these perspectives in every chapter. Students are able to explore the ways these different perspectives shape our understanding of the root causes of historical events and current controversies, and then think critically about the world’s most urgent issues. The newSeventh Edition includes updates on Brexit, the rise of nationalism, the escalation of terrorism, the use of social media in political protests around the world, and continuing developments in North Korea, Syria, Iran, China, and Russia.


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Figures, Maps, Parallel Timelines, and Tables
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction • Why We Disagree about International Relations
The Crisis in Syria
The Roles of Perspectives, Levels of Analysis, and Causal Arrows
The Role of History
The Role of Methods
Is One Perspective or Method Best?
The Role of Judgment
The Role of Ethics and Morality
Summary
Key Concepts
Study Questions
Chapter 1 • How to Think about International Relations: Perspectives, Levels of Analysis, and Causal Arrows
The Attacks of September 11
Prisoner’s Dilemma
The Realist Perspective
The Liberal Perspective
The Identity Perspective
Critical Theory Perspectives
Levels of Analysis
Causal Arrows
Key Concepts
Study Questions
PART I • HISTORICAL PATTERNS
Chapter 2 • World War I: World on Fire
Europe in 1914
Realist Explanations
Liberal Explanations
The Last Move
Identity Explanations
Critical Theory Explanations
Summary
Key Concepts
Study Questions
Chapter 3 • World War II: Why Did War Happen Again?
Causes of Madness
Liberal Accounts
Realist Accounts
Identity Matters
Critical Theory Perspective
Summary
Key Concepts
Study Questions
Chapter 4 • The Origins and End of the Cold War
The Long Telegram
Snapshot of the Cold War
Realist Explanations
Identity Explanations
Liberal Explanations
Critical Theory Perspective
Summary
Key Concepts
Study Questions
PART II • THE CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM
Chapter 5 • Realist Perspectives on Today’s World: Unipolarity, Rising Powers, Asymmetric Warfare, and Ethnic Conflicts
Unipolarity
Multipolarity
Asymmetric Warfare
State Sovereignty, Decision Making, and Ethnic Conflicts
Summary
Key Concepts
Study Questions
Chapter 6 • Liberal Perspectives on Today’s World: Collective Security, Multilateral Diplomacy, Interdependence, and International Institutions
Collective Security
Multilateral Diplomacy
Interdependence
International Institutions
Regional Institutions
Summary
Key Concepts
Study Questions
Chapter 7 • Identity Perspectives on Today’s World: Democracy, Religion, Nationalism, and Human Rights
Democracy
Religion
Nationalism
Human Rights
Summary
Key Concepts
Study Questions
PART III • GLOBALIZATION AND CHANGE
Chapter 8 • Realist and Liberal Perspectives on Globalization: Security, Domestic Economy, Trade, Investment, and Finance
Snapshot of Globalization
Security and Economics
Domestic Economic Policies
Trade
Investment
Finance
Summary
Key Concepts
Study Questions
Chapter 9 • Identity Perspectives on Globalization: Development and Environment
Asia
Latin America
Sub-Saharan Africa
Middle East and North Africa
Environment
Summary
Key Concepts
Study Questions
Chapter 10 • Critical Theory Perspectives on Globalization: Inequality, Imperialism, and Injustice
Colonialism and Imperialism
Dependency
World Systems
Multinational Corporations and Exploitation of Labor
Marginalized Minorities: Global Injustice
Persisting Global Inequality
Summary
Key Concepts
Study Questions
Conclusion • Applying Perspectives and Levels of Analysis: The Case of the Democratic Peace
Evidence
Explanations
Summary
Coda
Key Concepts
Study Questions
Glossary of Key Concepts
Notes
Index