An indispensable “toolkit” for organizing and processing information, this practical text provides students with a mental framework for understanding the historic, contemporary, and future developments of world politics. Using general perspectives and enduring worldviews as a foundation for discussions on more specific theories and concepts, it builds on the premise that a meaningful understanding of world politics consists of four principal elements —1) knowledge of the current world 2) familiarity with its history 3) analysis and interpretation 4) insight into dynamics. It provides a unique and balanced treatment of the competing perspectives on historical and contemporary global issues; consistently and systematically addresses the change—and continuity—that so strongly characterize the field today; and includes a substantial amount of information on global trends, economics, environmental issues, and possible directions of global development.