Objective, critical, optimistic, and with a global focus, this textbook combines international relations theory, history, up-to-date research, and current affairs to give students a comprehensive, unbiased understanding of international politics. It integrates theory and traditional approaches with globalization and research on such topics as terrorism, new economic superpowers, and global communications and social networking to offer unusual breadth and depth for an undergraduate course. The text is enhanced by box features and ''Close Up'' sections with context and further information; ''Critical Case Studies'' highlighting controversial and complex current affairs that show how the world works in practice; and questions to stimulate discussion, review key concepts, and encourage further study. Unlike any other textbook, Global Politics in the 21st Century demonstrates the significance and interconnectivity of globalization and new security challenges in the twenty-first century and illuminates the role of leadership in transnational crises.

Objective, critical, optimistic, and with a global focus, this textbook combines international relations theory, history, up-to-date research, and current affairs to give students a comprehensive, unbiased understanding of international politics. It integrates theory and traditional approaches with globalization and research on such topics as terrorism, new economic superpowers, and global communications and social networking to offer unusual breadth and depth for an undergraduate course. The text is enhanced by box features and ''Close Up'' sections with context and further information; ''Critical Case Studies'' highlighting controversial and complex current affairs that show how the world works in practice; and questions to stimulate discussion, review key concepts, and encourage further study. Unlike any other textbook, Global Politics in the 21st Century demonstrates the significance and interconnectivity of globalization and new security challenges in the twenty-first century and illuminates the role of leadership in transnational crises.