Lee Marsden Libri

The book examines the significant impact of religious actors on US foreign policy during the Bush and Obama administrations, highlighting how their influence has shaped diplomatic decisions. It offers a detailed analysis of both the changes and continuities in policy approaches between Republican and Democratic leadership, providing a nuanced understanding of the intersection between religion and international relations in the 21st century.

This is an ideal introduction for all embarking on a degree in Politics or International Relations. Starting from the premise that the 'doing' of political science is an active, and interactive, process of critical evaluation, it addresses the crucial question of how – as well as what – we should study. The book examines a wide range of theoretical perspectives and shows how they can be usefully applied to questions such as 'Why do states go to war?' and 'In whose interests does the political system work?' Chapters are organized by core areas of study – such as power, the state, policy, institutions, the media, security, political economy – and show how theories can be used and applied within each topic.