International Relations (IR) theory has seen a proliferation of competing and increasingly
trenchant worldviews with no consensus on how to evaluate their relative strengths and
weakness. This innovative new text provides an original interpretation of how best to navigate
the clash of perspectives in contemporary IR theory.The book provides a systematic overview of
the main worldviews - such as realism liberalism and constructivism - and their associated
theoretical underpinnings. Placing liberal internationalism at the heart of the debate it
argues that the main division in IR theory is between liberal internationalism and its critics.
Griffiths examines both the strengths and weaknesses of liberal internationalism as a worldview
and also explores the competing worldviews that have been generated by the perceived flaws of
this perspective.Examination of crucial policy issues is incorporated throughout the text
restoring the relevance of theory for those who wish to understand those policy issues.
Moreover this book revitalises the raison d'être of contemporary IR theory and shows the role
it can play in making sense of the twenty-first century.
