Existing textbooks on international relations treat history in a cursory fashion and perpetuate a Euro-centric perspective. This textbook pioneers a new approach by historicizing the material traditionally taught in International Relations courses, and by explicitly focusing on non-European cases, debates and issues. The volume is divided into three parts. The first part focuses on the international systems that traditionally existed in Europe, East Asia, pre-Columbian Central and South America, Africa and Polynesia. The second part discusses the ways in which these international systems were brought into contact with each other through the agency of Mongols in Central Asia, Arabs in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, Indic and Sinic societies in South East Asia, and the Europeans through their travels and colonial expansion. The concluding section concerns contemporary issues: the processes of decolonization, neo-colonialism and globalization – and their consequences on contemporary society. History of International Relations provides a unique textbook for undergraduate and graduate students of international relations, and anybody interested in international relations theory, history, and contemporary politics.
The book is a rich mine of historical narratives that give an interesting, objective and enlightening account of crucial stages of the world history. Without its comprehensive study, one cannot better understand the complexity of today’s world. It is a must read for graduate students, faculty and researchers. The book is highly recommended for all those who are keen enough to have an access to the world history through objective lenses.
B.M. Jain, Editor-in-Chief, Indian Journal of Asian Affairs
"Book Reviews: Erik Ringmar, History of International Relations: A Non-European Perspective". Indian Journal of Asian Affairs (0970-6402), vol. 33, no. 1/2, 2020.
Check the progress of the book and Erik Rigmar's research blog, where the author posts additional material and updates on the textbook project
Acknowledgments
This book
China and East Asia
India and Indianization
The Muslim Caliphates
The Mongol Khanates
Africa
The Americas
European Expansion