Essential Readings in World Politics

by Karen A. Mingst, Jack L. Snyder

Key literature on international relations―from classics to the contemporary issues debated by scholars today. Selections in each chapter reflect diverse perspectives on major topics in international relations, and thorough headnotes provide the context and background that students need. The Fourth Edition includes new readings on current topics like the global financial crisis, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and the international reach of political Islam.

Genres: Politics, Political Science, Textbooks, History, Nonfiction, Philosophy, School

630 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Laura]

It was a collection of essays on international relations. Some where informative and interesting, others were too long and convoluted to be enjoyable. Obviously important because these essays are the basis for a lot of political thought today.

[Ike Sharpless]

I'll be using this as a supplement for my upcoming Intro to IR class. Essays I'm planning to assign:

-Jack Snyder, "One World, Rival Theories"
-Thucydides, "Melian Dialogue"
-George F. Kennan "The Sources of Soviet Conduct"
-Hans Morgenthau, "A Realist Theory of International Politics" (Mearsheimer optional)
-Michael Doyle, "Liberalism and World Politics"
-Alexander Wendt, "Anarchy is what States Make of it"
-J. Ann Tickner, "Man, the State, and War: Gendered Perspectives on National Security"
-Sam Huntington, "The Clash of Civilizations"
-Carl von Clausewitz, "War as an Instrument of Policy"
-Thomas Schelling, "The Diplomacy of Violence"
-Moses Naim, "The Five Wars of Globalization"
-William Easterly, "The Healers: Triumph and Tragedy"
-Amartya Sen, "Universal Truths: Human Rights and the Westernizing Illusion"

[Rebecca]

Actually a very good textbook. With essential speeches and documents on politics from all time periods such as the Greek Wars, The Cold War, and our current Age of Terrorism. Contains all the essentials for students of politics.

[celia]

Love this collection- definitely would recommend for any student of International Relations (being a student of IR myself). Some of the entries are absolute beasts to get through, but the breadth of topics is top notch.

[Christian]

this is a good complimentary book to the mingst book on IR. thankfully, this is a more upbeat read. good compilation of essays.