Using a consistent three-part framework within each chapter--moving from Ideas, to Arguments, and then Contexts & Application--International Relations, Fourth Edition, shows students how to think critically about issues and current events in world politics. Each chapter first describes key concepts and developments in the field, then presents the main theoretical and analytical approaches, and finally applies the main theories and approaches within the individual, state, and global contexts.

The text builds on this effective framework with a variety of features that support students' understanding of key concepts. Historical information is woven throughout the text through "History Lab" features, and every chapter ends with an extended "Case Study" that demonstrates how what we have learned from the past can influence our future actions. "Visual Reviews" at the end of each chapter not only recap key points but include "Critical Thinking" questions that reflect the chapter's learning objectives. A unique Conclusion, "Forecasting the World of 2030," serves as a capstone exercise and includes discussion and writing prompts to help students synthesize what they've learned.