Celebrating its landmark tenth edition, The Globalization of World Politics remains the best-selling and most comprehensive introductory text to international relations.

Fully updated and expanded, this milestone edition continues to tackle the most urgent and complex challenges that dominate international relations today. Written by leading scholars in the field, The Globalization of World Politics now includes brand new chapters on ecological thought in international relations, the rise of the modern international order, and Marxist theories of international relations.

Tailored pedagogical features are seamlessly woven throughout the text and are designed to help students to cultivate analytical thinking and bridge the gap between theory and real-world practice. Interactive activities such as multiple-choice questions and the 'Opposing Opinions' feature foster active learning, enhancing students’ understanding of key concepts and debates.


Key features

- Unrivalled coverage of history, theory, structures, processes, and international issues by leading international scholars makes it ideal for introductory courses while also being a valuable reference for the remainder of an IR degree.

- Reflects the latest developments in the field including the US presidential elections, climate change, and Artificial Intelligence.

- A wide-range of case studies span cultures and geographies and highlight contemporary crises such as the UN and conflict in Gaza, ending plastics pollution, and the Russia-Ukraine war, connecting theory to today’s most pressing international challenges.

- Integrated learning features, including author videos, opposing opinions features, and end-of-section multiple-choice questions are carefully developed to help students achieve a firm foundation in the discipline.

- Carefully edited by highly respected International Relations experts John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens to ensure a coherent style throughout, making it ideal for students who are new to international relations.

- Available as an e-book enhanced with self-assessment activities and multi-media content to offer a fully immersive experience and extra learning support.

New to this edition

- New Chapter 3: The rise of the modern international order by Ayse Zarakol

- New Chapter 8: Marxist theories of international relations by Maïa Pal

- New Chapter 13: Ecological thought in International Relations by Andrea Brock

- Expanded coverage of non-Western approaches, particularly perspectives from the Global South, are woven throughout all the chapters to emphasise the importance of viewing international relations from representative and varied perspectives.

- Updated exploration of the contemporary crisis of the liberal international order and the challenge of the second Trump administration to ideas about ‘globalization’.


Digital formats and resources

The Globalization of World Politics is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats and is supported by extensive online resources.

The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access, with learning resources embedded and hyperlinked throughout to offer self-assessment activities and extra support: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks

The student resources, accessible via the e-book and Politics Trove, include:
- Topical videos
- End-of-section multiple-choice questions
- Flashcard glossary

The book's teaching resources, accessible online for adopting lecturers, include:
- PowerPoint slides
- Test bank
- Question bank

John Baylis, Emeritus Professor of Politics and International Relations and former Pro Vice Chancellor, Swansea University,Patricia Owens, Professor of International Relations, University of Oxford,Steve Smith, The UK Government's International Education Champion since 2020; and former Vice-Chancellor and Professor of International Politics at the University of Exeter, University of Exeter

Part 1: International relations in a global era1. Introduction, Patricia Owens, John Baylis, Steve Smith2. Globalization and global politics, Anthony McGrewPart 2: The historical context3. The rise of the modern international order, Ayse Zarakol4. International history of the twentieth century, Len Scott5. From the end of the cold war to the crisis of the liberal order, Michael Cox6. Emerging powers and the global south, Andrew HurrellPart 3: Theories of world politics7. Liberal internationalism, Tim Dunne8. Marxist theories of international relations, Maïa Pal9. Realism, Or Rosenboim10. Feminism, Helen M. Kinsella11. Postcolonial and decolonial approaches, Meera Sabaratnam12. Poststructuralism, Lene Hansen13. Ecological thought in International Relations, Andrea Brock14. Social constructivism, Michael BarnettPart 4: Structures and processes15. War and world politics, Tarak Barkawi16. International and global security, John Baylis17. Global political economy, Nicola Phillips, Danielle F.S. Cohen18. Gender, Paul Kirby19. Race in world politics, Robbie Shilliam20. International law, Christian Reut-Smith21. International organizations in world politics, Susan Park22. The United Nations, Devon E.A. Curtis, Paul Taylor23. NGOS in world politics, Jutta Joachim24. Regionalism in international affairs, Edward Best, Thomas ChristiansenPart 5: International issues25. Environmental issues, John Vogler26. Global health, Sophie Harman27. Refugees and forced migration, Ariadna Estevez, Danielle F.S. Cohen28. Poverty, hunger and development, Tony Evans29. Global trade and global finance, Matthew Watson30. Terrorism and globalization, James D. Kiras31. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Sheena Chestnut Greitens32. Nationalism, national self-determination, and international relations, John Breuilly33. Human rights, Ratna Kapur