The Global Political System

This elegant, wise and distinctive text by an eminent Italian scholar offers a fresh perspective on the dynamics of international politics and global governance that will be equally enlightening for introductory students and experienced hands.' - A. J. R. Groom, University of Kent' 'The world may not have a fully functioning central government but it has many of its characteristics like leadership, hierarchy, institutions, and concerns about authority and legitimacy. Fulvio Attina points the way beyond out-dated notions of anarchy in international relations to a better understanding of the global political system.' - William R. Thompson, Indiana University 'The Global Political System remains, without a doubt, a key component in the current debate on globalisation, offering a neo-liberal approach to the latest global challenges.' -The International Spectator

This fully revised and updated English edition of a successful Italian text provides a sophisticated assessment of the theory and practice of world politics in the 21st century. Attina examines the impact of issues, actors and trends on the contemporary world stage and assesses the future direction of change in global politics.What can international relations scholarship tell us about the global political system? This innovative text examines the contribution made by the principal schools of international relations to our understanding of the global system and draws on them to analyze some crucial issues for 21st century politics. Elegantly synthesising history and theory, this text introduces the concepts that have been used to explain the politics and policies of the global system. It challenges the dominance of purely state-based approaches and shows how non-state-based approaches are essential for a full and integrated understanding of today's global politics. Using both approaches, the author examines key issues in contemporary world politics, from international security to economic stability and migration to human rights.