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Review of IR

The field of International Relations (IR) has seen a plethora of approaches to undergraduate education, as evidenced in the number and variety of textbooks written in recent years. One of the most recent contributions, with the straightforward title IR, provides the standard requirements required for an introductory course yet also stands out from the others in providing fresh and unique approaches to the subject. The text is organized into primary five parts: Theory and Practice, International Security, Economic Security, Human Security, and Looking Ahead. IR has a particularly effective introductory chapter. In the introduction, students are guided through the book’s structure, placing emphasis on ‘‘the pursuit of security’’ and the ‘‘fundamental challenges of world politics’’ (p. 9). Security is divided into three areas: security from violence (international security), security from material want (economic security), and security in pursuit of a higher quality of life (human security). Challenges to understanding international relations are presented in three areas as well: anarchy (absence of world government); diversity (variations in factors such as values and identities); and complexity (the multidimensional character of international issues, actors, and connections). These themes are maintained throughout the book, providing students with a clear rationale for the material they will be covering during the course. The text uses basic levels of analysis for purposes of comparative inquiry. IR also comes with a multitude of teaching supplements, including complete PowerPoint slides plus separate files of figures and photographs from the book to enable a personalized PowerPoint presentation. The test bank is easy to use and comes with a broad of range of assessment tools that can fit into any instructor’s evaluation style and emphases. Other teaching tools include instructor prep cards for each chapter that contain learning objectives, chapter outlines, potential classroom approaches, key terms, and CourseMate assignments. CourseMate has resources for students and teachers, including stimulating ways to learn the material (crossword puzzles and simulations) and innovative ways to teach the material (NewsWatch and Engagement Tracker). IR covers all the basics while offering unique and fresh elements. The theory section is beautifully written and presented for the undergraduate students, who often are attempting to ‘‘think theoretically’’ for the first time in an academic setting. The variants of Realism and Liberalism are explained very effectively. Competing alternatives are put forth, with perhaps too much emphasis on Marxism, a paradigm that is becoming increasingly obsolete in practice. Rather than just presenting IR