-the dramatic shift in U.S. policies under President Donald Trump and the post-Trump moves to redo the global scene

-the coronavirus pandemic and its impact around the world

-Brexit, and its consequences for the European Union

-the rise of China and Russia in the international order

-technological developments in weaponry and the militarization of outer space

* the growing importance of the politics of identity, the environment, nationalism and populism.

while retaining much of the structure and many of the features of past editions, including a revised range of faculty and student aids– a test bank, flash cards, glossary, web links, PowerPoint slides, chapter outlines, suggested video clips, map exercises, cultural references, and boxed features. Stimulating and provocative, the book is designed to appeal to students and instructors interested in international relations as a broadly defined, multidisciplinary subject encompassing politics, history, economics, military science, psychology, sociology, anthropology and philosophy.

- Comprehensive textbook which uses an historical context to explain contemporary global politics. Integrates theory and practice throughout the text allowing students to see real world illustrations of abstract concepts.

- Written in a clear and approachable manner it discusses all the main conceptual issues and theoretical debates as well as main substantive themes and issues in world politics.

- One of the strengths of earlier editions was an innovative range of pedagogy to enhance and facilitate student understanding. This edition builds on this by adding up-to-date text and illustrations.

- Ultimately an optimistic book, clear about global solutions as well as global problems.

- Straightforward, coherent, comprehensive, and thoroughly documented, the book can serve as a handy reference for scholars as well as a university textbook.

- Chapters, sections and illustrations are neatly consolidated and labelled, allowing teachers to adapt and arrange topical elements of the textbook to highlight the preferred thematic progression of their courses.

- Includes much non-Western history (China, Islam), often lacking in IR textbooks

- The `student activities´ section at the end of each chapter is great to inspire and activate students, and to reflect on their own opinions or convictions

- Has a solid focus on the learning outcomes identified by most university programs such as interpretation and analysis