Richard W. Mansbach, Professor of Political Science at Iowa State University, USA, has authored or coauthored over 20 books, written numerous articles and book chapters, and received numerous awards.

Ellen B. Pirro, Associate Teaching Professor at Iowa State University, has coauthored or edited a number of books in international relation and European politics, as well as numerous articles and book chapters.

Prologue Part I Theory and Global Politics 1.Theoretical approaches to global politics Part II The Past as Prologue to the Present [...] evolution of the interstate system [...] world wars [...] Cold War 5.Decolonization and the global South 6.Globalization: The new frontier Part III Living Dangerously in a Dangerous World [...] issues in contemporary global politics [...] in global politics and the causes of war 9.Technology and the changing face of warfare 10.Managing conflict: international law and international and transnational organization Part IV Global Issues 11.Identity politics 12.International political economy [...] rights: The individual in global politics [...] security [...] environment: A global collective good Part V Epilogue