World Affairs

"Ralph Pettman is one of the most accomplished, versatile, and imaginative generalists at work in the field of international Relations. Here he gives an excellent overview of how best to conceive of this subject matter...[while] providing a critical assessment...for anyone interested in how to think...about world affairs..." -Richard Falk Albert G. Milbank Professor of International Law and Practice, Emeritus Princeton University

This book provides a systematic and comprehensive overview of a subject that every thoughtful person wants to understand: world affairs. Though many attempts have been made to summarise this subject, all have so far resulted in no more than accounts of current events, issueareas, and lists of ideologies or perspectives. For the first time it has proven possible, in the light of the assumptions that analysts and practitioners make with regard to human nature, human nurturing practices, and the cultural context of Enlightenment rationalism, to provide a clear and coherent account of the entire discipline. With this account it is evident at once not only what particular analysts or practitioners are saying but also what they are not saying. World Affairs represents, therefore, a superior textbook for graduate or undergraduate students, as well as a unique introduction for academics and general readers who want to know how analytical languages are used to articulate every relevant description, explanation and foreign policy prescription. Examples are drawn from the literature on the subject to exemplify each such language and attention is drawn throughout to their weaknesses and strengths.