Contemporary theory in international relations / edited by Stanley Hoffman

THE WORLD SCENE today is marked by revo lution, turmoil and confusion. So is the dis cipline of international relations. A better understanding of contemporary world poli tics, as well as greater progress in the disci pline, require clarification and improvement of the basic theories explaining international affairs.

Written with clear, scholarly exposition, this new book provides a timely approach to the development of doctrines capable of dealing more effectively with international problems.

While offering a panorama of contemporary thought on world politics, the volume shows how theories in the field can be studied and applied. It concentrates more on problems of method than on such substantive issues as the cold war or the end of colonialism. It deals with the principles, fundamental con cepts and methods which should precede and govern the study, or the reshaping, of policy.

After introducing the subject of interna tional relations as an autonomous discipline, the author discusses such significant subjects as the "realist" theory of power politics, philosophies of history, and sociological der ivations from social communications. He also deals with the equilibrium theory and decision making.