- How did today-s international systems emerge, and how are they shaped by war, unequal development and international cooperation?- How do individuals, firms, international organisations, and nation states operate within these systems?- How can students apply theories of global politics using real-world examples?Understanding International Politics offers a comprehensive and accessible guide to the key systems, actors, and issues of international politics. It covers core concepts and questions for political study, and presents a -toolkit- that enables students to apply theory and historical context in independent research. This introduction frames complex international systems coherently by focusing on political players, and, as a single-authored work, delivers a consistent critical approach throughout. This authoritative and clearly organised textbook offers:- Contemporary examples and case-studies for approaching international relations from the perspective of its actors- -How