The Globalization of World Politics, the bestselling introduction to international relations, offers the most comprehensive coverage of the key theories and global issues in world politics.

The eighth edition engages with contemporary global challenges, featuring a brand new chapter on Refugees and Forced Migration and updated coverage of decolonization to ensure the book continues to cover those topics that will define the key issues in IR into the future.

Tailored pedagogical features help readers to evaluate key IR debates and apply theory and concepts to real world events. A fully updated Opposing Opinions feature facilitates critical and reflective debate on contemporary policy challenges, from decolonising universities to debates over migration and the state.

Leading scholars in the field introduce readers to the history, theory, structures and key issues in IR, providing students with an ideal introduction and a constant guide throughout their studies.

Students and lecturers are further supported by extensive online resources to encourage deeper engagement with content:

Student resources:

International relations simulations encourage students to develop negotiation and problem solving skills by engaging with topical events and processes

IR theory in practice case studies encourage students to apply theories to current and evolving global events

Video podcasts from contributors help students to engage with key issues and cases in IR

Guidance on how to evaluate the Opposing Opinions feature, supporting students to engage in nuanced debate over key policy challenges

Interactive library of links to journal articles, blogs and video content to deepen students' understanding of key topics and explore their research interests

Flashcard glossary to reinforce understanding of key terms

Multiple choice questions for self-study help students to reinforce their understanding of the key points of each chapter

Revision guide to consolidate understanding and revise key terms and themes

Instructor Resources:

Case studies help to contextualise and deepen theoretical understanding

Test bank - fully customisable assessment questions to test and reinforce students' understanding of key concepts

Question bank - a bank of short answer and essay questions to promote students' critical reflection on core issues and themes within each chapter

Customisable PowerPoint slides help to support effective teaching preparation

Figures and tables from the book allow clear presentation of key data and support students' data analysis

John Baylis, Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations and former Pro Vice Chancellor, Swansea University,Patricia Owens, Professor and Head of International Relations, University of Sussex,Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor and Professor of International Relations, University of Exeter

John Baylis is Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations and former Pro-Vice Chancellor at Swansea University.


Steve Smith is Vice-Chancellor and Professor of IR, University of Exeter.


Patricia Owens is Professor and Head of the Department of International Relations, University of Sussex.

Part One: International Relations in a Global Era
Introduction, John Baylis, Patricia Owens and Steve Smith
1. Globalization and global politics, Anthony McGrew
Part Two: The Historical Context
2. The rise of modern international order, George Lawson
3. International history of the twentieth century, Len Scott
4. From the end of the cold war to a new world dis-order?, Michael Cox
5. Rising powers and the emerging global order, Andrew Hurrell
Part Three: Theories of World Politics
6. Liberal Internationalism, Tim Dunne
7. Marxist theories of international relations, Stephen Hobden and Richard Wyn Jones
8. Realism, Tim Dunne and Brian Schmidt
9. Feminism, Helen Kinsella
10. Postcolonial and decolonial approaches, Meera Sabaratnam
11. Poststructuralism, Lene Hansen
12. Social Constructivism, Michael Barnett
13. International ethics, Richard Shapcott
Part Four: Structures and Processes
14. War and world politics, Tarak Barkawi
15. International and global security, John Baylis
16. Global political economy, Nicola Phillips
17. Gender, Paul Kirby
18. Race in world politics, Robbie Shilliam
19. International law, Christian Reus-Smit
20. International organisations in world politics, Susan Park
21. The United Nations, Devon Curtis and Paul Taylor
22. NGOs in world politics, Jutta Joachim
23. Regionalism in international affairs, Edward Best and Thomas Christiansen
Part Five: International Issues
24. Environmental issues, John Vogler
25. Refugees and forced migration, Ariadna Estevez Lopez
26. Poverty, hunger, and development, Tony Evans
27. Global trade and global finance, Matthew Watson
28. Terrorism and globalisation, James Kiras
29. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Sheena Chestnut Greitens
30. Nationalism, national self-determination and international relations, John Breuilly
31. Human rights, Ratna Kapur
32. Humanitarian intervention in world politics, Alex Bellamy and Nicholas Wheeler