Now updated to address recent developments in the post-9/11 world; A World of Nations; Second Edition; provides an analytical narrative of the origins; evolution; and end of the Cold War. Much more than a simple account of the long struggle between the two superpowers; this vibrant text opens with chapters exploring the development of regional conflicts--ethnic; religious; cultural; economic; and military--that dominated international relations until the breakup of the Soviet Union. The final chapters examine the war on terror and the salience of interstate and transnational conflicts in the era of globalization. In engaging; compelling language; author William R. Keylor provides a genuinely international history of this turbulent period.Designed to serve the needs of both political scientists and historians; the new edition has been reorganized along regional lines while still maintaining the chronological approach of the previous edition. Building on its historical foundation; the second edition discusses International Relation theory and explores such timely critical topics as human rights; environmental issues; NGOs; immigration; and international terrorism. In addition; numerous new photographs and helpful maps animate the text; drawing students into this dynamic subject.Thoroughly revised and even more relevant in its second edition; A World of Nations offers a riveting exploration of international relations as they have evolved from the Second World War to the present. It is ideal for political science courses on international relations; as well as courses on the history of U.S. foreign policy; European diplomatic history; the history of international relations; and world history since 1945.
#1149587 in Books Mark Noll 2007-09-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.10 x 1.20 x 9.10l; 1.58 #File Name: 0195317157520 pagesReligion and American Politics From the Colonial Period to the Present
Review
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Very good collection of essays; highly recommendedBy D. ZanattaI used this book for my thesis; very thorough collection of essays on most of the religion topics.7 of 95 people found the following review helpful. Eminent scholarship?By SuppresstI bought this book because I was given to understand Noll is one of the deans of the history of Christianity in the United States. I was given to understand that he is; first and foremost; a scholar; and the pursuit of truth makes him sometimes controversial (at least among Christians) for portraying that history in a light less than flattering to Christians. I can live with that; as I too prefer truth.Of course Noll is only the editor of this particular volume; but he is solely responsible for what he included and excluded. The first essay is by John M. Murrin and treats religion and politics from the first settlements to the Civil War. Murrin's characterization of the faith-environment in early settlements is strictly true from the perspective Murrin offers; but is a gross falsehood when that same environment is viewed from a broader perspective. Murrin states; probably correctly; that; by and large; early settlers did not enjoy the religious liberty they are famed for having fled England in search of - choices of religious expression were probably limited it is true; but this is like arguing - as a communist might - that; There is no real political freedom in America since one's only real option for political expression in America is democracy.Murrin caps his distorted perspective on the early settlements with this gem: "A mere half-century before the drafting of the Bill of Rights; a well-informed observer could not easily have detected in most of the American colonies much of the popular base for the active separation of church and state as proclaimed in the First Amendment." Today's well-informed observer will readily find the deep flaws in Murrin's analysis. First it presumes that "separating" church and state was the intention expressed in the First Amendment. Scholars of quality know that "separation" is not the most apt word to express Founders intent. Founder's main intent - arising out of fears of an overreaching federal government - was to prevent that federal government from ever using its power to establish an state church. Moreover; Founders did not envision First Amendment limitations as extending to the state governments - First Amendment was to serve as check upon the federal government. If Murrin understood and accepted this truth; than his entire warped perspective on the religiously oppressive environment in the early settlements would have to change; wouldn't it? Of course; the truth about the First Amendment solves Murrin's conundrum - it was precisely because the early settlers had a firmer grasp on the truth than Murrin; or Noll apparently; and had erected a fairer and balanced approach to governance and religion than Murrin or Noll would probably be capable of; that they were able to fashion the kind of Constitution we ended up with.In sum; with my exposure to this volume has dispelled the notion I once had about Noll as a first rank scholar. If Murrin's mush is the kind of scholarship Noll deems worthy of highlighting; than I know all I need to know about Noll - a scholar overrated at best; and a gross distorter of history at worst.
