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Seeking Security, Prosperity, and Quality of Life in a Changing World

Fourth Edition
Available with:


January 2021 | 496 pages | CQ Press

Why is it so difficult to achieve peace and cooperation in world politics? How do countries get what they want? Do rules and norms matter in the international arena?

IR: Seeking Security, Prosperity, and Quality of Life in a Changing World invites students to participate in these debates by providing a clear introduction to not just what happens, but why and how it happens. Assuming no prior knowledge about international relations, award-winning teachers and scholars James M. Scott, Ralph G. Carter, and A. Cooper Drury meet students where they are and provides them with a framework to make sense of the complicated events and interactions of world politics.

Thoroughly updated, the Fourth Edition provides insights into the changing nature of power in the global system and the greatest challenges to international order, including the populist backlash against globalization, Russian assertiveness and China’s growing influence, cyberwarfare, COVID-19, and climate change.

This title is accompanied by a complete teaching and learning package. Contact your SAGE representative to request a demo.
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Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
CHAPTER 1. World Politics: Seeking Security, Prosperity, and Quality of Life in a Complicated and Connected World
Introduction: Making Sense of World Politics

 
1-1 A Complex World Connected to You

 
1-2 The Challenge of Security, Prosperity, and Quality of Life in World Politics

 
1-3 The Levels of Analysis and International Relations

 
1-4 Explaining the Patterns of World Politics

 
1-5 Dilemmas of Cooperation in International Relations: The Prisoner’s Dilemma and the Stag Hunt

 
Conclusion: Seeking Security and Contending With Challenges

 
Key Concepts

 
Key Terms

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
Part I. Theory and Practice
 
CHAPTER 2. The Players and the Playing Field: Anarchy, States, and Non-state Actors
Introduction: The IR Game Board

 
2-1 The Search for International, Economic, and Human Security in a Changing World

 
2-2 The Pre-Westphalian System (Pre-1648)

 
2-3 The Westphalian System (1648–1989)

 
2-4 The Neo-Westphalian System (1990–Present)

 
Conclusion: Same Players but a Changing Field?

 
Key Concepts

 
Key Terms

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
CHAPTER 3. Powerful Ideas: Realism, Liberalism, and Constructivism
Introduction: Powerful Ideas

 
3-1 Theory and International Relations

 
3-2 The Realist Perspective on World Politics

 
3-3 The Liberal Perspective on World Politics

 
3-4 The Constructivist Perspective on World Politics

 
Conclusion: Dueling Theories?

 
Key Concepts

 
Key Terms

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
CHAPTER 4. Alternative Perspectives on International Relations
Introduction: Alternatives to Realism, Liberalism, and Constructivism

 
4-1 Foreign Policy Analysis

 
4-2 Marxism and Marxist Theory

 
4-3 World Systems Theory

 
4-4 Feminism

 
Conclusion

 
Key Concepts

 
Key Terms

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
Part II. International Security
 
CHAPTER 5. Understanding Conflict: The Nature and Causes of Conflict and War
Introduction: International Conflict

 
5-1 The Nature of Armed Conflict

 
5-2 The Nature and Evolution of War in World Politics

 
5-3 Why Wars Begin

 
Conclusion: The Consequences of Wars

 
Key Concepts

 
Key Terms

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
CHAPTER 6. Seeking Security: Managing Conflict and War
Introduction: Managing Conflict and Seeking Security

 
6-1 The Challenge of International Security

 
6-2 Realist Approaches to Security and Conflict

 
6-3 Liberal Approaches to Security and Conflict

 
Conclusion: Seeking Security

 
Key Concepts

 
Key Terms

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
CHAPTER 7. Building Peace: Structures of Cooperation
Introduction: Achieving Cooperation

 
7-1 Cooperation and Its Challenges

 
7-2 Diplomacy: Negotiation in World Politics

 
7-3 International Law: Norms and Rules Without Central Authority

 
7-4 International Organizations: The European Union, the United Nations, and Many Others

 
Conclusion

 
Key Concepts

 
Key Terms

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
Part III. Economic Security
 
CHAPTER 8. The Pursuit of Economic Security: Trade, Finance, and Integration
Introduction: Money Is Power

 
8-1 Money, Power, and Security

 
8-2 The National Economy Era: Colonialism and Mercantilism

 
8-3 The International Economy Era: Free Trade, Liberalism, and Marxism

 
8-4 The Global Economy Era

 
Conclusion

 
Key Concepts

 
Key Terms

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
CHAPTER 9. Economic Statecraft: Sanctions, Aid, and Their Consequences
Introduction: Using Wealth to Influence Other Countries

 
9-1 Economic Statecraft

 
9-2 Economic Sanctions

 
9-3 Foreign Aid

 
Conclusion

 
Key Concepts

 
Key Terms

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
CHAPTER 10. International Development: Relations Between the Haves and Have-Nots
Introduction: The Differences Between the Rich and the Poor

 
10-1 The Wealth Gap

 
10-2 Why Are Some Countries Rich and Others Poor?

 
10-3 Development Theories and Policies

 
10-4 International Organizations and Development

 
Conclusion

 
Key Concepts

 
Key Terms

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
Part IV. Human Security
 
CHAPTER 11. Human Rights: People, Human Security, and World Politics
Introduction: Redefining Sovereignty From Protecting Borders to Protecting People

 
11-1 The Evolution of Human Rights

 
11-2 The Human Rights Regime: From Norms to Rules

 
11-3 The Challenge of Implementation and Enforcement

 
Conclusion: The Evolving Human Rights Regime

 
Key Concepts

 
Key Terms

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
CHAPTER 12. Managing the Global Commons: Whose Responsibility?
Introduction: Managing the Global Commons and the Consequences of Human Actions

 
12-1 The “Tragedy of the Commons” Illustrated in the Environment

 
12-2 The Evolving Environmental Regime and the Challenges of Sustainable Development

 
12-3 The Challenge of Fostering Sustainable Development

 
12-4 Emerging Arenas of Competition and Cooperation

 
Conclusion: Managing the Global Commons

 
Key Concepts

 
Key Terms

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
CHAPTER 13. Transnational Advocacy Networks: Changing the World?
Introduction: A New Form of International Actor?

 
13-1 What Are Transnational Advocacy Networks?

 
13-2 How Do Transnational Advocacy Networks Affect Human Security?

 
13-3 The Diverse World of Transnational Advocacy Networks

 
Conclusion: Transnational Advocacy Networks and the Global Future

 
Key Concepts

 
Key Terms

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
Part V. Looking Ahead
 
CHAPTER 14. Security, Prosperity, and Quality of Life in the Balance: Future Directions and Challenges
Introduction: Interpreting How the World Works

 
14-1 Anarchy, Diversity, and Complexity in World Politics

 
14-2 Seeking Security

 
14-3 The Road Ahead

 
14-4 Theory in Action, Geography, and Foreign Policy in Perspective

 
Conclusion

 
Key Concepts

 
Review Questions

 
Think About This

 
For More Information . . .

 
 
Appendix of World Maps
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index

Supplements

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edge.sagepub.com/scott4e

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Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

  • The new edition is available as a digital option through SAGE Vantage, an intuitive digital platform that offers auto-graded assignments and interactive multimedia tools—including video—all designed to enable students to better prepare for class.
  • Important global events and trends of recent years keep students engaged with issues related to changing power and leadership globally, the nature of and challenges to international order, backlash against globalization, and public health issues including COVID-19.
  • Restructured and organized for conceptual clarity, the discussion of diplomacy (previously in chapter 2) has been moved and integrated into chapter 7—enabling students to connect diplomacy to important international topics such as the challenges of Brexit, populist backlashes to globalization, and EU reform plans.
  • Throughout the text, chapter features – opening vignettes, feature boxes, end-of-chapter puzzles – are updated or replaced to be timely and current. Topical revisions and updates strengthen the coverage and relevance of the text, including treatment of cyberspace/cyberwar, public health, and topics such as immigration, refugees, and others.
  • New and updated tables, charts, maps, and photographs illustrate important political events and players and bring concepts to life for today’s students.
KEY FEATURES:
  • The author’s student-friendly, clear writing style makes international relations concepts approachable and manageable for undergraduate students.
  • A concise organizational structure that can fit into a typical semester provides students with a foundational understanding of international relations complimented by a rich array of relevant examples that stimulate classroom discussion.
  • A thematic approach revolved around the challenges of anarchy, diversity, and complexity unify the chapters and enable instructors to easily incorporate current events into the course.
  • Rather than introducing the theories of international relations at the beginning, the book applies a theoretical lens throughout the entire book and explicitly applies theory to real-world behaviors and policies.
  • Authors stress a problem-based approach to issues of world politics – each example is structured around an explanation, a meaning, and implication that helps frame our understanding around each event.
  • Learning objectives at the start of each chapter guide students through their studies and are incorporated into end-of-chapter features to ensure each objective is met.
  • Each chapter begins with a compelling chapter-opening vignette to create excitement for the international relations and prepare students for the material that follows.
  • The Revenge of Geography illustrate how geography and borders can influence international relations. Complimented by discussion questions and relevant case studies, these features encourage students to think critically about how competing forces shape international politics.
  • Theory in Action examples simplify the concepts by demonstrating how the ideas of real people are directly translated into current policy and action.
  • Foreign Policy in Perspective discussions illuminate the motivations and behaviors behind the political actors of the world—exploring their pursuit for international, economic, and human security.
  • Spotlight On stories provide additional clarification on topics that are more difficult to understand by taking a closer look at the concept and connecting it to thought-provoking case studies that emphasize an issue’s importance.
  • Key Concepts provide a study aid for students to master the chapter goals. These summaries are tied to chapter learning objectives and help students focus on core content.
  • Review Questions prompt critical thinking and encourage classroom discussion.
  • For More Information… provide students with recommendation for further individual study.
  • Think About This problems and puzzles encourage active reading and reinforce important concepts by asking students to analyze a variety of situations and “solve” international problems.
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