Focusing on the main competing analytical perspectives, the first and second editions established an authoritative sense of the conceptual tools used to study world politics, as well as reflecting on the major debates and responses to changes in the world arena.

This third edition builds on the success of its predecessors by presenting a fresh set of readings within this framework:

• power and security
• interdependence and globalization
• dominance and resistance.

It also includes a much-expanded fourth section, 'World Politics in Perspective', which reflects the methodological and normative debates that have developed since publication of the previous edition.

This is an essential text for all students and scholars of politics and international relations.