Snow: International Relations_p1 - Softcover

When we began thinking about writing this book, our primary concern was the major events since the end of the Cold War. Patterns of behavior associated with the Cold War system had unraveled and had rendered much of the textbook literature of questionable relevance to understanding the world we face in the new millennium. It seemed to us a book grounded explicitly in a post-Cold War framework would be of some value. The result is International Relations and its emphasis on the "changing contours of power."

We have tried to emphasize phenomena and trends that capture the important attributes of our post-Cold War world, and are either missing or not so prominent in the older texts: the globalizing economy, the role of high technology in political and economic activity worldwide, the newer teeing played by traditional entities like the United Nations and newer entities like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and changing patterns of violence, like the Kosovo-style wars so common to the developing world. To deal with these changes, we propose a new and unique framework, a world of tiers, to help organize and think about how the new system works. The framework consists of two tiers: a First Tier composed of the most advanced market democracies, and a Second Tier of the developing world made of a series of developmental distinguished subtiers. We contend that the emerging system can only really be understood in terms of the dynamics of these two parallel tiers and the relationship within and between them. Our central theme, as reflected in the subtitle of the book is that although power relationships remain the basis of the system, the way they operate is being altered often at incredible speeds.

Ours is not the only post-Cold War text in the field, but the consciously student-oriented approach of this text sets it apart and better helps students to understand the complex field of international relations. A quick glance will reveal a number of features designed to enhance the comprehensioneven enjoyment on the part of the student reader. Each chapter, for instance, begins with a preview of the chapter contents and a list of key concepts to be grasped, presented in the order in which they appear in the text. Each chapter ends with a brief review of what the student has read.

That is not all. Each chapter includes a number of "boxed" features presenting additional material within eight recurring categories. Summary boxes preview lists of materials covered in the text. Amplification boxes provide fuller explanations, rosters of members of organization , and the like. Coming to Terms boxes elaborate on definition or conceptual matters. Cases in Point boxes are short case studies illustrating points made in the main text. The Impact of Technology boxes provide examples of how technological changes affect international relations. Views from Abroad boxes reflect non-American views of to I international matters as reflected in the foreign press. Contours of the Future boxes offer speculations on how events and trends may change in the future and, as such, parallel the "Changing Contours" sections that end most chapters. Finally, Web Sitings boxes direct students to Internet sources of additional material. At the end of each chapter, except the first, a longer case study explores a topic related to the main chapter subject.

We have also tried to make this a student-friendly text by making the text as readable and comprehensible as possible. Wherever possible, we have avoided technical language or have tried carefully to explain terminology and ideas. We have purposely avoided footnotes and quotations that might detract from the flow of the text. Rather, we have provided selected readings at the end of each chapter and a bibliography at the end of the book appropriate for an introductory student to use for research or future inquiry. A glossary provides a ready resource and reminder of the definitions of key concepts throughout the book. An extensive program of maps and photographs serves as a further guide to aid student understanding and interest.

Supplements

Instructor's Manual/ Test Bank The Instructor's Manual includes chapter outlines, chapter glossaries, a list of key ideas and objectives for each chapter, and a variety of thought-provoking discussion questions and student projects. The Test Bank contains hundreds of challenging and throughly revised multiple choice, and essay questions.

Longman Atlas of War and Peace Adapted from the work of Dan Smith, Director of the International Peace Institute, and introduced by James N. Rosenau of George Washington University, this series of pedagogical maps and explanations offers a nontraditional approach to cartography: how do nations compare to one another in such terms as military spending, ethnic strife, control of natural resources, and internal conflicts. FREE when packaged with the text.

A book of this length and complexity is a large task, and one that cannot be undertaken without the assistance of others who deserve acknowledgment. First, we want to thank our Addison Wesley Longman editor, Eric Stano, who inherited this work and has shepherded it to completion. Brooks Ellis at Electronic Publishing Services, Inc. and Gia Forakis at PhotoSearch, Inc. have done yeoman duty in bringing this to fruition. Very conscientious and helpful reviews have been provided by Gregory Hall of St. Mary's College of Maryland, Randy Kleff of Virginia Union University, Philip Meeks of Creighton University, Michael A. Preda of Midwestern State University, Renee Scherlin of Appalachian State University and Marc Simon of Bowling Green State University. We wish to thank our former editor and good friend, Don Reisman, who convinced us to undertake this work, and Paul Smith, who had faith in and directed it before the merger of Allyn & Bacon and AWL. Finally, thanks are due to our families for putting up with us while this was underway and to our home institutions, the University of Alabama and Lebanon Valley College, for the physical and moral support.

Donald M. Snow Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Eugene Brown Annville, Pennsylvania

Unique in that it takes a consciously student-oriented approach to the study of international relations, this exciting new text communicates concepts in a clear and concise manner, providing students with an abundance of high-interest features and pedagogical elements to help them learn. Aiming to maximize student understanding of the concrete world, each chapter concludes with a case study of a contemporary situation, so that students can apply what they've learned, and a Changing Contours section that asks students to consider the future of a particular topic. With a large, helpful map program and extensive photos and illustrations, this is a book students like-and because they like it, they learn from it.