Ideal as a brief main text for IR Theories courses or as a supplemental text for IR, American Foreign Policy, or Global Studies courses, International Relations Theory: A Primer 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.

FEATURES

Presents the essential elements, assumptions, and development of the top five IR theories used by researchers in the field

"Family Tree" graphics show how each theory contains within it a series of sub-theories that help explain specific phenomena

Applies each theory to the same two case studies: one on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and the other on the World Trade Organization (WTO)

Includes summary tables for each case study in every theory chapter, providing quick summaries and visuals that connect the theories to the case studies

Ties the theories together in a concluding chapter, demonstrating their overlapping nature and highlighting each one's strengths and weaknesses as explanatory tools in IR

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

Rhonda L. Callaway is Associate Professor of Political Science at Sam Houston State University. She is the coeditor of Exploring International Human Rights: Essential Readings (2007).

Dr. Matthews and Dr. Callaway are the coauthors of Strategic U.S. Foreign Assistance: The Battle Between Human Rights and National Security (2008).

Each chapter ends with Key Terms and Suggested Reading.
Chapter 1. Introduction
Evolution of International Relations Theories
The Study of International Relations
Levels of Analysis
Case Study I: Proliferation
Case Study II: Trade and the World Reade Organization (WTO)
Organization of the Book
Chapter 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
Case Study: WTO
Chapter 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
Case Study: WTO
Conclusion
Chapter 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
Case Study: WTO
Conclusion
Chapter 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
Case Study: WTO
Conclusion
Chapter 6. Feminism
Feminism: A Movement
Spotlight on Policymakers: Margot Wallstr:om
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
Case Study: WTO
Conclusion
Chapter 7. Conclusion
Ontology and Epistemology Revisited
Towards a Holistic Approach to Studying International Relations
English School
Critical Theory
Post-Colonialism
Case Studies: A Holistic Approach to Proliferation and Trade Liberalization
Proliferation
Trade Liberalization and the WTO
Where do we go from here?