International Relations: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions #164), Paul Wilkinson Covering topics such as foreign policy, the world economy, and globalization, this Very Short Introduction exemplifies the many disciplines that come together in the study of international events. He goes on to advice that Britain has to avoid this temptation and rely on soft power to ensure continued respect (even though Britain was, to an extent, complicit in these same acts) in the world stage.Īll this over-smart play-acting gets tiresome after a while and leads to loosing touch with the reader, especially since it is not insight but only known facts which is being pushed down the poor Secretary’s throat.more The one section that was of interest was the one where Wilkinson was tutoring the Secretary about how US has been a right bully by refusing to play by the rules which it expects all other countries to play by - even in extremely serious cases such as those relating to CTBT and proliferation of weapons. Wilkinson gets a bit carried away by this play-act structure and indulges in elaborate proxy-conversations (in proper British style, no less) such as asking respectfully of the Secretary to keep close contact with the NATO and mischievously hinting to her that your eyes seem to glazing over at mention of the structures of the EU’s working, so we better pass over that etc. Of course it would require a complete noob of a Secretary of State if the bar had to be set so low as a starting point for her training.
Wilkinson tries his best to make it interesting by adopting an innovative structure for the book - writing as if he were briefing the next Secretary of State (of Britain where they are not required to be experts, unlike in the US, and would be willing to read an introductory book) - and gives a quick tour of the major concerns and the major actors that the Secretary of State needs to be aware of.
It is too nebulous a topic and it is hard to tackle without either getting tangled up in the most intricate details or risking skimming over vital issues - easily drifting into bland nostrums in the process. Wilkinson has taken up a tough challenge with this VSI. Wilkinson tries his best to make it interesting by adopting an innovative structure for the book - writing as if he were briefing the next Secretary of State (of Britain where they are not required to be experts, unlike in the US, and w It has 772 Pages.Wilkinson has taken up a tough challenge with this VSI. This book is published by Oxford University Press back in 2008. For more insight get the oxford handbook of international relations.
The book also presents the case studies for better understanding of topics. Moving on further it cover major IR theories like Realism, Marxism, Constructivism, Feminism and more. Then it defines key topics like state, global societies and more. Starting from an Introductory chapter which explains the difference between utopia and reality. The book has covered almost all the topics in depth. Although the book has many contributors but the main editors of this book are Christian Reus-Smit who is a renowned IR professor from University of Queensland, Australia and Duncan Snidal who is a professor from Nuffield College. The oxford handbook of international relations is another one of the best books of international relations for students, professors, diplomats and policy makers.