IR
Seeking Security, Prosperity, and Quality of Life in a Changing World

Fifth Edition

James M. Scott - Illinois State University, USA
Yasemin Akbaba - Gettysburg College, USA
Ralph G. Carter - Texas Christian University, USA
A. Cooper Drury - University of Missouri, USA

Other Titles in:
International Relations (General)

June 2024 | 568 pages | CQ Press

IR: Seeking Security, Prosperity, and Quality of Life in a Changing World presents a comprehensive approach to understanding world politics through the lens of security, prosperity, and quality of life in a rapidly evolving global environment. The book not only acquaints students with events, but also broadens the context to analyze larger patterns, making the experience immersive and engaging.

Thoroughly updated, the Fifth Edition incorporates new theoretical perspectives, coverage of important events and trends of recent years, and current data and research.

Chapter 1. World Politics: Seeking Security, Prosperity, and Quality of Life in a Complicated World

Part I. Theory and Practice

Chapter 2. The Players and the Playing Field: Anarchy, States, and Non-state Actors

Chapter 3. Powerful Ideas: Realism, Liberalism, and Constructivism

Chapter 4. Alternative Perspectives on International Relations

Part II. International Security

Chapter 5. Understanding Conflict: The Nature and Causes of Conflict and War

Chapter 6. Seeking Security: Managing Conflict and War

Chapter 7. Building Peace: Structures of Cooperation

Part III. Economic Security

Chapter 8. The Pursuit of Economic Security: Trade, Finance, and Integration

Chapter 9. Economic Statecraft: Sanctions, Aid, and Their Consequences

Chapter 10. International Development: Relations Between the Haves and Have-Nots

Part IV. Human Security

Chapter 11. Human Rights: People, Human Security, and World Politics

Chapter 12. Managing the Global Commons: Whose Responsibility?

Chapter 13. Transnational Advocacy Networks: Changing the World?

Part V. Looking Ahead

Chapter 14. Security, Prosperity, and Quality of Life in the Balance: Future Directions and Challenges

Appendix of World Maps

Glossary

References

Index

Supplements

Instructor Resource Site
LMS cartridge included with this title for use in Blackboard, Canvas, Brightspace by Desire2Learn (D2L), and Moodle

The LMS cartridge makes it easy to import this title’s instructor resources into your learning management system (LMS). These resources include:

Test banks
Editable chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides
Sample course syllabi
Lecture notes
All tables and figures from the textbook

Don't use an LMS platform?

You can still access the online resources for this title via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site.

"A comprehensive and well-thought-out book for Introduction to International Relations that includes rich features beyond just text."

Marni Berg

Colorado State University

Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

The new edition is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
- Flashcards and note-taking tools help students better prepare for class.
- NEW! Audiobook Player allows students to listen to text content, boosting comprehension and retention. It offers flexible, on-the-go access, engaging both reluctant readers and auditory learners, improving the overall reading experience.
- The Offline Reading option in the Student Dashboard offers greater accessibility to Vantage’s reading content, regardless of where students are or how strong their internet connection may be.
An expanded focus on critical and post-colonial perspectives throughout the text and particularly in Chapter 4 highlights the significance of colonial legacies and identity-based oppression.
Throughout the text, chapter features are updated or replaced to be timely and current. Topical revisions and updates strengthen the coverage and relevance of the text, including changing global power and leadership, challenges to international order, new and ongoing world conflicts including the Ukraine War, and global issues including climate and health.
New coauthor Yasemin Akbaba brings new perspective and expertise to the text.
New and updated tables, charts, maps, and photographs illustrate important political events and players and bring concepts to life for today’s students.

KEY FEATURES:

The authors' student-friendly, clear writing style makes international relations concepts approachable and manageable for undergraduate students.
A concise organizational structure that can fit into a typical semester provides students with a foundational understanding of international relations complimented by a rich array of relevant examples that stimulate classroom discussion.
A thematic approach revolving around the challenges of anarchy, diversity, and complexity unifies the chapters and enables instructors to easily incorporate current events into the course.
The authors apply a theoretical lens throughout the entire book and clearly tie theory to real-world behaviors and policies.
Authors stress a problem-based approach to issues of world politics – each example is structured around an explanation, a meaning, and implication that helps frame our understanding around each event.
Learning objectives at the start of each chapter guide students through their studies and are incorporated into end-of-chapter features to ensure each objective is met.
A series of unique pedagogical tools throughout the text help students learn and teachers teach.
- Chapter-opening vignettes create excitement for international relations and prepare students for the material that follows.
- The Revenge of Geography illustrates how geography and borders can influence international relations.
- Theory in Action examples simplify concepts by demonstrating how the ideas of real people are directly translated into current policy and action.
- Foreign Policy in Perspective discussions illuminate the motivations and behaviors behind the political actors of the world—exploring their pursuit for international, economic, and human security.
- Spotlight On stories provide additional clarification on topics that are more difficult to understand by taking a closer look at the concept and connecting it to thought-provoking case studies that emphasize the issue's importance.
- Think About This problems and puzzles encourage active reading and reinforce important concepts by asking students to analyze a variety of situations and "solve" international problems.
- Key Concepts provide a study aid for students to master the chapter goals. These summaries are tied to chapter learning objectives and help students focus on core content.
- Review Questions prompt critical thinking and encourage classroom discussion.
- For More Information… provides students with recommendation for further individual study.

II. Chapter-Specific Changes

Please list changes to each element, including textual revision, tables, maps, charts, figures, data, readings, etc, as applicable.

Preface:

Revised to outline changes in 5^th edition

Chapter 1:

Please check all that apply

?Major Changes ?Minor Changes ?Changed Tables/Figures