Functioning of the international political system

This important book applies systems analysis to inter national politics. The author demonstrates the integra tive capacities of this approach and offers a set of as sumptions about international politics more realistic than those traditionally made. Each of the chapters con sists of a set of linked propositions centerir around a particular subject. This unusual format perrethe com pact and orderly presentation of large quantities of material; and encourages the author toke his as sumptions explicit, relieving the readers of the necessity of digging them out. It also pro otes analytic clarity by reducing a line of thought to entials

Thstems approach makes possible an integrated at include such elements as interests, attitudes, desion-making,ction, communications, theory, and y the use of specific foreign policy techniques. Established assumptions in the field are challenged and realistic alternatives offered. The volume is theory-oriented while its tone is primarily descriptive and analytical; its style is straightforward and it uses technical ter minology sparingly.