International Relations, 2008-2009 Update, Brief Edition (4th Edition) [Paperback]

Joshua S. Goldstein (Author), Jon C. Pevehouse (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0205585949 | ISBN-13: 978-0205585946 | Publication Date: July 18, 2008 | Edition: 4

Thoroughly updated to cover world affairs to 2008, International Relations, Brief Edition, offers the same approach and coverage as the bestselling survey text but in a more streamlined and flexible format. From war, trade, and development to terrorism, human rights, and the environment, this text focuses on all of the major issues in international security and political economy as well as transnational issues.  With the broadest discussion of theoretical perspectives, the most current coverage of international events, and the strongest emphasis on critical thinking, International Relations includes all the tools students need to engage the discipline’s concepts and to understand what is happening in the world today. Joshua Goldstein and Jon Pevehouse’s lively writing, abundant visuals, and seamless integration of learning technology make this text a favorite of instructors and students alike. 

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

“A terrific introduction to world politics; the most engaging and well-organized introductory text that I’ve seen.”

-Richard Herrmann, Ohio State University

International Relations, Brief 2008-2009 Update
Fourth Edition

Thoroughly updated to cover world affairs to 2008, International Relations, Brief Edition offers the most current and comprehensive coverage of international relations theory, international security, international political economy, and global issues.

With the broadest discussion of theoretical perspectives, the most up-to-date coverage of international events, and the strongest emphasis on critical thinking, International Relations, Brief Edition includes all the tools students need to engage the discipline’s concepts and to understand what is happening in the world today.

New to the 2008-2009 Update Edition

• An all new insert by Oxfam America, “Empowering the Global South: A Rights-Based Approach to Development” was written specifically for this text by one of the leading NGOs in international development. It covers such topic areas as poverty, women’s rights, fair trade, and disaster assistance.

Other updates include…

Security

• Violence levels in Iraq and the troop surge
• Kosovo’s declaration of independence
• Ethnic violence in Darfur, Kenya, and Pakistan
• Attempts at government overthrow in Chad
• Nuclear weapons programs in North Korea and Iran

Economy

• European Union governance and the euro
• The U.S. financial crisis, trade deficit, and decline of the dollar
• Effects of record high oil prices on producing and consuming nations
• The Chinese trade surplus and export product contamination
• The Doha Round WTO trade talks

Global Issues

• Climate change negotiations to follow on the Kyoto Protocol
• HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and drug patent disputes
• Progress toward the UN Millennium Development Goals for poverty reduction
• The changing face of international terrorism
• New impacts of information and communication technologies

Readings in International Relations pairs writings on international relations theory with writings on current events to help students explore the relationship between concept and application. Package the reader with this text and receive a discount on the package price.

The new MyPoliSciKit for International Relations is a premium online learning resource that features multimedia activities to help students connect concepts to current events, including book-specific assessment, video case studies, role-playing simulations, mapping exercises, Financial Times newsfeeds, and politics blog. Log on to www.mypoliscikit.com to see a demo, purchase a subscription, or use your access code to get started.

Find a collection of valuable resources on the text's open-access companion website: www.IRtext.com

About the Author

Joshua S. Goldstein is Professor Emeritus of International Relations at American University, Nonresident Sadat Senior Fellow at the University of Maryland's CIDCM, and Research Scholar in the Department of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Jon C. Pevehouse is Associate Professor at the Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago.  

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Longman; 4 edition (July 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205585949
• ISBN-13: 978-0205585946
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #535,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joshua S. Goldstein is a professor at the School of International Service at American University, winner of the International Studies Association "Book of the Decade" award, among others, author of International Relations (10th edition), and a research scholar at the University of Massachusetts. He lives in Amherst, Massachusetts. His new book, Winning the War on War (Dutton, Sept. 2011), shows that despite the gory headlines the decade since 9/11 has been the most peaceful worldwide in a century.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding effort, November 18, 2008

By 

Gautam Maitra "gautam maitra" (Kolkata, India) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: International Relations, 2008-2009 Update, Brief Edition (4th Edition) (Paperback)

International Relations, 2008-2009 Update (8th Edition) (MyPoliSciKit Series) (Paperback)by J. Goldstein is superb and gives a first hand knowledge on the intricacies and vastness of international relations with perfect clarity. Even a lay man can feel enriched once he goes through the book.

The best thing is that it is a perfect continuation and consummation on its earlier version with every facility for the reader to search out any particular topic.

But I think time has come for the authors to write a separate volume on current events like the Iraqi crisis, the nuclear stand off with N. Korea, issues in Kosovo, NATO's rift with Russia, terrorism and a host of other issues. It is then that we may see many illuminating analyses hitherto not done on those issues.

Gautam Maitra
Author of 'Tracing the Eagle's Orbit: Illuminating Insights Into Major US Foreign Policies Since Independence.'

4.0 out of 5 stars International Relations, August 2, 2011

By 

Frank (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: International Relations, 2008-2009 Update (8th Edition) (Paperback)

The book gives you a seminar in the topic of International Relations. Although there's always space to expand, mainly in security studies, the book worth the buy and the reading.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bad, biased, boring, July 6, 2010

By 

atomicski23 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: International Relations, 2008-2009 Update (8th Edition) (Paperback)

Not a good textbook, perfect for an armchair scholar but not someone who hopes to actually apply what they learn in college. The book presents theories that are outdated and thoroughly debunked and asserts them as fact.