The most student-friendly introduction to the political, social, economic, and cultural issues shaping our world today

Now in its second edition, this concise introduction to the wide-ranging field of international studies provides an overview of the political, social, economic, and cultural issues that shape our world. Known for its accessible tone, this text helps students develop a thorough understanding of our increasingly complicated and interconnected world while presenting an informed, Canadian perspective on important global issues.

Brian Orend is a professor of philosophy at the University of Waterloo in Canada. He is the author of six books, including the bestselling The Morality of War, one of the most widely-used books on the ethics of war and peace. He is best-known for his work on Human Rights and post-war justice. He has a Ph.D. from Columbia University in New York City, has been Distinguished Visiting Professor of Human Rights at Lund University in Sweden, and has lectured around the world and around the web. Brian has epilepsy owing to a brain tumour, which has motivated his research into happiness in spite of illness.

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"This textbook is an excellent introduction to international and global studies. The detailed nature of the various case studies presented is especially useful for students to apply theoretical discussion to real world examples." --Wayne Zhu, University of Regina

"This text offers a comprehensive overview of the diverse disciplinary approaches to International Studies. Frequent use of illustrative contemporary examples and case studies provide students with tangible applications for the core concepts of the field." --Greg Koabel, University of Regina