International relations: a self-study guide to theory

The book is written for active learners – those keen on cutting their own path through the complex and at times hardly comprehensible world of THEORY in International Relations. To aid this process as much as possible, this book employs the didactical and methodical concept of integrating teaching and self-study.



The criteria for structured learning about IR theory will be derived from an extensive discussion of the questions and problems of philosophy of science (Part 1). Theory of IR refers to the scientific study of IR and covers all of the following subtopics: the role and status of theory in the academic discipline of IR; the understanding of IR as a science and what a scientific theory is; the different assumptions upon which theory building in IR is based; the different types of theoretical constructions and models of explanations found at the heart of particular theories; and the different approaches taken on how theory and the practice of international relations are linked to each other.

The criteria for the structured learning process will be applied in Part 2 of the book during the presentation of five selected theories of International Relations. The concept is based on learning through example – that is, the five theories have been chosen because, when applying the criteria developed in Part 1 of the book, each single theory serves as an example for something deeply important to learn about THEORY of IR more generally.

In 'International Relations Since the End of the Cold War' many of the world's leading scholars examine the Cold War legacy. The authors examine several key issues including: the relationship between democracy and peace, the Cold War and the Third World superpowers, the role of post-Cold War nuclear weapons

The book is written for active learners - those keen on cutting their own path through the complex and at times hardly comprehensible world of THEORY in International Relations. To aid this process as much as possible, this book employs the didactical and methodical concept of integrating teaching and self-study. The criteria for structured learning about IR theory will be derived from an extensive discussion of the questions and problems of philosophy of science (Part 1). Theory of IR refers to the scientific study of IR and covers all of the following subtopics: the role and status of theory in the academic discipline of IR; the understanding of IR as a science and what a "scientific" theory is; the different assumptions upon which theory building in IR is based; the different types of theoretical constructions and models of explanations found at the heart of particular theories

International Relations; Preface; Contents; Part I: International Relations' Theory; 1. History of theoretical thought on inter-state relations and the formation of "International Relations" as an academic discipline; Learning steps; Introduction; Step 1: International Relations from an historical perspective: Interstate theory and discipline formation; Step 2: The core subject of International Relations and International Relations theory; Step 3: Check your understanding: key aspects and review questions; Step 4: Self-study and consolidation; 2. International Relations as science.

The book is written for active learners – those keen on cutting their own path through the complex and at times hardly comprehensible world of THEORY in International Relations. To aid this process as much as possible, this book employs the didactical and methodical concept of integrating teaching and self-study. The criteria for structured learning about IR theory will be derived from an extensive discussion of the questions and problems of philosophy of science (Part 1). Theory of IR refers to the scientific study of IR and covers all of the following subtopics: the role and status of theory in the academic discipline of IR; the understanding of IR as a science and what a "scientific" theory is; the different assumptions upon which theory building in IR is based; the different types of theoretical constructions and models of explanations found at the heart of particular theories; and the different approaches taken on how theory and the practice of international relations are linked to each other. The criteria for the structured learning process will be applied in Part 2 of the book during the presentation of five selected theories of International Relations. The concept is based on "learning through example" – that is, the five theories have been chosen because, when applying the criteria developed in Part 1 of the book, each single theory serves as an example for something deeply important to learn about THEORY of IR more generally

In 'International Relations Since the End of the Cold War' many of the world's leading scholars examine the Cold War legacy. The authors examine several key issues including: the relationship between democracy and peace, the Cold War and the Third World superpowers, the role of post-Cold War nuclear weapons.

In 'International Relations Since the End of the Cold War' many of the world's leading scholars examine the Cold War legacy. The authors examine several key issues including: the relationship between democracy and peace, the Cold War and the Third World superpowers, the role of post-Cold War nuclear weapons.