Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide.

Buy on VitalSource Request Exam Copy

Print Price: $54.99

Format:
Paperback, eBook
384 pp.
5.5" x 8.25"

ISBN-13:
9780190081638

Copyright Year:
2020

Imprint: OUP US

International Relations Theory

A Primer, Second Edition

Elizabeth Matthews and Rhonda Callaway

Ideal as a brief main text for IR Theories courses or as a supplemental text for IR, or Global Studies courses, International Relations Theory: A Primer 2e covers the main definitions, concepts, arguments, and criticisms regarding the five predominant IR theories and approaches used in the field today: realism, liberalism, constructivism, economic structuralism, and feminism. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, it helps students understand and critique the theories and apply them to real-world issues.

Readership : This text is intended for undergraduate students enrolled in introductory IR and IR Theory courses.

Reviews

"This book is an excellent fit for Intro to IR and Intro to IR Theory courses. While an introductory text, it has a distinct competitive advantage by dedicating chapters to several major IR theories (and not just realism and liberalism). It's not overly simplistic, which often occurs with textbooks, and closes each section with practical application of the theories."
--Lan T. Chu, Occidental College
"This book is an excellent and comprehensive analysis of the main theories in the field of international relations. The book shows how each significant event or institution is analyzed through each of the theories. Moreover, it looks at the debate in the field and critiques each from that perspective. All students in the field should have a copy to refer to when they are analyzing international issues."
--Raymonde Kleinberg, University of North Carolina Wilmington
"It is important for the students to understand theory, especially all the components of theory, as well as see the common connections between them. The application of a specific issue such as nuclear proliferation provides a good grounding for students to understand and compare the various theories."
--John Miglietta, Tennessee State University
"I see this book as having a higher advantage in the market because the outline is so detailed. There is no skimming an outline to guess if a topic will be discussed in a particular section of the book. It is all right there, and it makes it easier for both the student and instructor to reference. I was impressed with the breadth of coverage concerning IR theory."
--Amanda Slobe, Georgetown University

1. Introduction
Evolution of International Relations Theories
The Study of International Relations
Levels of Analysis
Case Study I: Proliferation and Arms Races
Case Study II: Trade and Protectionism
Organization of the Book
Suggested Reading
Key Terms
2. Realism
Roots and Evolution of Realism
-Central Assumptions
Classical Realism
-Pioneers in the Field
-Spotlight on Policymakers: George Kennan
Neorealism (Structural Realism)
-Pioneers in the Field
-Polarity and Balance versus Imbalance of Power
Neoclassical Realism
-Pioneers in the Field
Mercantilism
Criticisms of Realism
Case Study: Proliferation and Arms Races
Case Study: Trade and Protectionism
Key Terms
Suggested Reading
3. Liberalism
Roots and Evolution of Liberalism
-Central Assumptions
Liberal Internationalism
-Pioneers in the Field
-Neoliberal Institutionalism
-Pioneers in the Field
-Barriers to Cooperation and How States Overcome Them
Laissez-Faire and Economic Liberalism
-Pioneers on the Field
Spotlight on Policymakers: John Maynard Keynes
-Globalization and Liberal Economic Policies in Crisis?
Criticisms of Liberalism
Case Study: Proliferation and Arms Races
Case Study: Trade and Protectionism
Conclusion
Key Terms
Suggested Reading
4. Economic Structuralism
Roots and Evolution of Economic Structuralism
-Central Assumptions
Classical Marxism and Imperialism
-Pioneers in the Field
Economic Structuralism and Dependency Theory
-Pioneers in the Field
Spotlight on Policymakers: Raul Prebisch
-Marxist Variant of Dependency Theory
-Non-Marxist Variant of Dependency Theory
World Systems Theory
-Pioneers in the Field
Criticisms of Economic Structuralism
Case Study: Proliferation and Arms Races
Case Study: Trade and Protectionism
Conclusion
Key Terms
Suggested Reading
5. Constructivism
Constructivism and the Third Debate
Roots and Evolution of Constructivism
-Central Assumptions
Spotlight on Policymakers: Raphael Lemkin
Emergence of Constructivism
-Modernist Constructivists: Pioneers in the Field
-Naturalistic Constructivists: Pioneers in the Field
-Postmodernist Constructivists: Pioneers in the Field
Criticisms of Constructivism
Case Study: Proliferation and Arms Races
Case Study: Trade and Proliferation
Conclusion
Key Terms
Suggested Reading
6. Feminism
Feminism: A Movement
Spotlight on Policymakers: Margot Wallström
Roots and Evolution of Feminist International Relations Theory
-Central Assumptions
Family of Theories
-Feminist Empiricism
-The Feminist Standpoint
-Feminist Postmodernism
-Pioneers in the Field
Criticisms of Feminism
Case Study: Proliferation and Arms Races
Case Study: Trade and Protectionism
Conclusion
Key Terms
Suggested Reading
7. Conclusion
Ontology and Epistemology Revisited
Towards a Holistic Approach to Studying International Relations
-English School
-Critical Theory
-Post-Colonialism
-Green Theory
Case Studies: A Holistic Approach to Proliferation and Trade Liberalization
-Proliferation and Arms Races
-Trade and Protectionism
Where do we go from here?
Key Terms
Suggested Reading

There are no Instructor/Student Resources available at this time.

Elizabeth Matthews is Professor of Political Science and Global Studies at California State University San Marcos. She is coauthor of World Politics in a New Era, Sixth Edition (OUP, 2013) and the editor of The Israel-Palestine Conflict: Parallel Discourses (2011).

Rhonda Callaway is Associate Professor of Political Science at Sam Houston State University. She is the coeditor of Exploring International Human Rights: Essential Readings (2007) and has published three books in the fields of Human Rights, National Security, International Relations, and Terrorism.

Making Sense in the Social Sciences - Margot Northey, Lorne Tepperman and Patrizia Albanese

Special Features

Focus on five theories identified by the Teaching, Research, and International Policy (TRIP) project as those most often taught in introductory IR courses.
Inclusion of two case studies on non-proliferation and trade in each theory chapter.
Utilizes "Family Tree" visuals that graphically and intuitively illustrate the sub-theories of each major theory.
Encourages students to apply the theory to real-world scenarios to see both their explanatory power as well as their deficiencies.