Viewing International Relations and World Politics

In this textbook, authors contend that international politics is acted out in international arena and that analysis of politics and political behavior is based on perceptions of analysts and actors. Such perceptions provide major links, argue authors, among politics, international relations, and foreign policy. book is divided into two main parts: Part I, Politics, Perception, and Politics,55 consists of four chapters: (1) International Politics: Environmental Context55; (2) Ideology and Politics55; (3) Politics and Politics55; and (4) The State and Political System.55 Part II, Analytical Perspectives,55 comprises three chapters: (1) Analyzing Politics55; (2) Is sue Analysis: Vietnam War55; and (3) Conclusions and Reflections.55 volume also includes an appendix on how to write a term paper, as well as a selected bibliography and index. According to authors, volume explores the most important elements needed for a concerned citizen's understanding of international politics. ... It deals with core of essential concepts, important tools of analysis, and critical substance of international politics needed by an intelligent person as he or she observes international political scene.55 book is predicated on two major assumptions: first, that unin formed reader cannot comprehend complex nature of international relations without first understanding central concepts of discipline and requisite analytical skills; and second, that international events, like domestic affairs, are, to a large extent, governed by concrete political reali ties?that critical international decisions are shaped by a wide variety of political imperatives. Thus, world affairs cannot be understood without