Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches

by Robert H. Jackson, Georg Sørensen

This highly successful textbook provides a systematic introduction to the principal theories of international relations. Combining incisive and original analyses with a clear and accessible writing style, it is ideal for introductory courses in international relations or international
relations theory.

Introduction to International Relations, Third Edition, focuses on the main theoretical traditions--realism, liberalism, international society, and theories of international political economy. The authors carefully explain how particular theories organize and sharpen our view of the world. They
integrate excellent pedagogical features throughout, including chapter summaries, key points, questions, further reading, web links, boxes, and world maps.

New to this
* Two new chapters, on social constructivism and foreign policy
* An expanded companion website with web links to theoretical debates, maps and world situations, figures and tables from the text, and a flashcard glossary
* A closer link between theory and practice
* New glossary of key terms
* Two-color text for easier navigation

Genres: Politics, International Relations, Nonfiction, Political Science, Textbooks, War, Academics

376 pages, Paperback

First published April 22, 1999

About the author

Robert H. Jackson is a specialist in colonial and modern Latin American history. He received his doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley in 1988. His research interests include liberalism, the caste system, historical demography, and missions and evangelization. In 2013, Brill published his monograph Conflict and Conversion in Sixteenth Century Mexico: The Augustinian War on and beyond the Chichimeca Frontier. Jackson currently lives in Mexico City.

Reviews

[Fran]

Note to self: Main text for International Politics course under Prof. Leszek Buszynski (London School of Economics 1980), Fall Term 2004, elective course from the International Relations Program, International University of Japan.

[Ali Al-Birminghami]

Brilliant introduction to past and present schools of thought in IR theory and methodology. Concise and easy to understand.

[Paula]

'States made war, and war made and unmade states.' (Tilly 1992)

[yun with books]

Jackson & Sorensen for life!

[Mart]

I had to read this book for a subject is did in university. Studying history it was very dreadful to read the first few chapters who tried give a brief outline of the world history. Being totally oversimplified, i already had a bad feeling about this book. The book tries to explain the different movements in the international affairs. Still every time I read a chapter, i didn't really understand the basic characterizes of every movement. So basically i needed to use google to really understand, and that's obviously really bad for a 'introduction' book. The layout was very bad as well, every chapters ends with a few blue pages with a summary of the chapter. So why bother reading the whole chapter if the authors almost admits that he just says a few decent things per chapter and the rest is nonsense. No, this wasn't a good book, not at all...

[Nanto]

Bukunya tidak mendalam, tapi untuk pemula yang sedang memamah mahluk bernama "Hubungan Internasional", buku ini enak racikan bahasanya. Ringan dan membuka mata dengan baik.

[Vycar Fatima]

like

[Petr Lohr]

the best

[Felipe Feitosa Castro]

Muito bem escrito e organizado, com diagramas que facilitam a compreensão. Recomendo enquanto material não só de introdução, mas de apoio à docência.

[Victor Henrique]

"Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches" by Robert H. Jackson and Georg Sørensen stands out as an exceptional resource in the realm of academic literature. The book's integrative approach, didactic presentation, and modern prose collectively contribute to its status as an indispensable introductory text on the subject.

The comprehensive nature of this work is particularly noteworthy. The authors skillfully navigate through the complexities of international relations, offering a well-organized exploration of theories and approaches. The didactic methodology employed throughout the text enhances accessibility, making intricate concepts comprehensible to a broad audience.

As an introductory guide, the book excels in providing a solid foundation for understanding international relations. It adeptly addresses well-established theories, offering readers clear and insightful perspectives rooted in historical contexts.

However, a discernible limitation arises when the narrative transitions to more contemporary themes within the field. The book, while robust in its coverage of foundational theories, falls short in delivering adequately integrative insights into modern and advanced topics. A more visual or didactical approach could enhance the reader's engagement with these intricate and evolving subject matters.

Notwithstanding this minor constraint, "Introduction to International Relations" remains an indispensable resource. Its strength in presenting foundational concepts renders it a requisite read for those seeking a thorough initiation into international relations. The inclusion of well-consolidated theories adds substantial value, and with slight adjustments to its treatment of modern themes, the book would be unparalleled in its field.

[Kanika Som]

A book that insights me about theories of realism and liberalism and its approaches. A book that gives me to get deep inside of Thucydides, Machiavelli, Hobbes and the security dilemma and Morgenthau and classical realism's prespective of International Relations. A book that gives me headach and heartache

[Myriam Shiran]

I really liked it. it was clear, to the point and informative.

[Amr Ezzat]

A brief but comprehensive introduction to the main IR theories. The book is particularly useful for anyone seeking to better understand those concepts, as some case studies are provided as well.

[Frank Peter]

Obviously not the pagest of turners but for what it's supposed to be - a useful, clear, reasonably extensive, and detailed introduction to IR - it's basically flawless.

[Lucas Ferguson]

As an introduction to International Relations, I felt it did the job.

[Alexandra]

had to read for IR, v basic...

[Azel Bimarajasa]

You know what, it's a good introduction to International Relations. It was really insightful.

[Thangjam Bryon]

Good

[Aryaman]

A comprehensive book for beginners in international relations.

[DJ Cashen]

This rating is for the 8th edition, which does not appear on goodreads yet.

I am new to the subject and picked it up as a textbook for an online class, but I ended up reading the whole thing between two video lessons - it's simply one of the best books of any kind I've picked up recently, and putting it down for long wasn't going to happen.

It does not have a noticeably idiosyncratic approach (like my favourite textbook, Worlds of Medieval Europe by Clifford Backman, with lush prose and highly eccentric roasts and digressions), but it completely avoids being dry. It is perfectly written.

This is an extremely clear primer. It is more than just a presentation of the varied approaches - it goes some way to being an insightful (and skeptical) synthesis of them.

[Tanya]

Ridiculously dry. Jackson and Sorenson raise some interesting issues, but their bias towards Rationalist thinking is patently obvious. It dominates their arguments, and even when they do address other views, they seem to be glossed over. This is a textbook that may give some foundational background, but doesn't really deal with current issues in IR.

[Guztav]

Good study book. It is not an eye-opening or thought provoking book, but it is a decent introduction into the field of IR. The name of the book says it al; introduction to international relation: Theories and Approaches, that's what you get.

[Elena]

The title is pretty much self explanatory -introduction to international relations- really informative, easy to understand and grasp these theories, well written and condensed book. Was for a uni course but a definite recommendation to anyone interested in this subject .

[Caleb Liu]

A good basic introduction to IR.

[Sebastian Cosgrove]

Assigned for class. Better than some of the others.

[Mamun .h]

I want to read free via internet.

[Szava]

it was helpful for my course on international relations theory. worded some things better than the prof. did.

[Asep Setiawan]

One of the advantage of the book is additional graphic and table to explain main topics. Readers will easily get summary of certain chapter. The book suitable for beginner and advance level either.

[Ali Nazifpour]

A tremendously helpful and instructive book. Does what it is supposed to do perfectly.

[MD Nesar]

It's an interesting book for us.I'm happy to read it