This best-selling reader is designed to introduce students to both the enduring theoretical concepts and the evolving issues that define the field of international politics. The book is structured in four main parts: the effects of anarchy on state behavior, the functions and limits of force, the role of the economy in international politics, and the challenges of a new era—including terrorism, humanitarian intervention, and global governance. Each section features a blend of seminal works and recent essays, offering perspectives from leading scholars such as Thucydides, Hans Morgenthau, Kenneth Waltz, Alexander Wendt, Robert Keohane, and more.

The editors provide introductions to each part, summarizing key concepts and organizing the central debates that students must grasp. Readings are chosen for their analytical depth and for the way they engage with one another, exposing readers to fundamental disagreements and alternative viewpoints within the discipline. Topics range from the nature of power and the logic of anarchy, to the relevance of force in the nuclear age, the impact of globalization, and the emergence of new actors and issues in world politics.

The book’s philosophy is to bridge theory and practice: enduring concepts are paired with essays on contemporary problems, helping students understand not only the abstract principles of international relations but also their application to real-world events. This approach makes it suitable as either the core text for an introductory IR course or a supplement to a standard textbook.