For courses in International Relations and any social science course that is designed to introduce students to world issues, in departments of anthropology, sociology, history, or political science. This book provides a multidisciplinary vocabulary for explaining general issues and trends facing the contemporary world involving cultural diversity, economic development, the natural environment, and international peace and violence. It affords equal time to the analysis of global issues using alternative perspectives. Eight major case studies-one for each of the central issues explored-encourage the application of concepts and perspectives presented in the narrative. It is the perfect compliment to any introductory IR text.