A Classic Textbook on International Relations: Palmer and Perkins' World Community in Transition

International Relations by Palmer and Perkins PDF Free

If you are looking for a comprehensive and classic textbook on international relations, you might want to check out International Relations: The World Community in Transition by Norman D. Palmer and Howard C. Perkins. This book was first published in 1953 and has been revised and updated several times since then. It covers a wide range of topics and issues related to the theory and practice of international relations, such as the state system, diplomacy, war, peace, security, law, organization, development, cooperation, conflict, ideology, culture, nationalism, imperialism, regionalism, integration, globalization, and more.

International Relations By Palmer And Perkins Pdf Free

The authors of this book are both distinguished scholars and practitioners in the field of international relations. Norman D. Palmer was a professor of political science at Brown University and a former president of the American Political Science Association. He also served as a consultant to various government agencies and international organizations. Howard C. Perkins was a professor of history at New York University and a former director of its Center for International Studies. He also worked as a researcher and editor for various publications and institutions.

This book is not only a valuable source of information and knowledge, but also a stimulating guide for critical thinking and analysis. It challenges the readers to examine their own assumptions and perspectives on international relations, as well as to explore alternative viewpoints and approaches. It also encourages the readers to apply their learning to real-world situations and problems, both past and present.

The main themes and arguments of the book

The book is divided into eight parts, each consisting of several chapters that deal with different aspects and dimensions of international relations. The parts are:

• Part One: The Pattern of International Life

• Part Two: Instruments for the Promotion of the National Interest

• Part Three: The Controls of Interstate Relations

• Part Four: The Course of International Politics, 1900-1945

• Part Five: Conflict and Change in the Postwar World

• Part Six: Formulations of the National Interest

• Part Seven: The Resumption of the Great Experiment

• Part Eight: The Future of the World Community

The book adopts a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to international relations, drawing on various fields such as history, geography, economics, sociology, psychology, law, philosophy, ethics, culture, religion, art, literature, science, technology, etc. It also integrates different levels of analysis such as individual, group, state, systemic/global.

The book argues that international relations is not a static or fixed phenomenon, but a dynamic and evolving one that reflects and affects the changes in the world community. It emphasizes that international relations is not only about power politics or conflicts among states, but also about cooperation and interdependence among peoples and societies. It recognizes that international relations is not only shaped by material factors or rational calculations, but also by ideational factors or emotional motivations. It acknowledges that international relations is not only influenced by objective realities or empirical evidence, but also by subjective perceptions or normative judgments.

The book proposes that the main challenge and goal of international relations is to achieve a balance between the national interest and the common interest, between the rights and duties of states, between the diversity and unity of the world community, between the stability and change of the international system, and between the order and justice of the international society.

The historical context and significance of the book

The book was written and published in the aftermath of World War II, which was a watershed event in the history of international relations. The war had exposed the horrors and costs of war, as well as the limitations and failures of the existing international order. The war had also created new opportunities and challenges for peace, as well as for the emergence and transformation of the new international order.

The book reflects and responds to the major developments and trends that shaped and reshaped the international relations of its time, such as:

• The rise and fall of fascism and totalitarianism in Europe and Asia

• The emergence and expansion of communism and socialism in Eurasia

• The rise and decline of colonialism and imperialism in Africa and Asia

• The emergence and consolidation of nationalism and independence movements in Asia, Africa, and Latin America

• The rise and spread of democracy and human rights in Europe and America

• The emergence and proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction

• The emergence and evolution of the United Nations and other international organizations

• The emergence and development of regional integration schemes such as NATO, EU, OAS, etc.

• The emergence and growth of global trade and economic cooperation such as GATT, IMF, World Bank, etc.

• The emergence and diversification of global communication and cultural exchange such as radio, television, cinema, etc.

The book also anticipates and predicts some of the future developments and trends that would affect and shape the international relations of the subsequent decades, such as:

• The rise and fall of the Cold War between the US-led Western bloc and the Soviet-led Eastern bloc

• The rise and decline of the bipolar world order dominated by two superpowers

• The rise and spread of non-alignment movement among developing countries

• The rise and emergence of new powers such as China, India, Japan, etc.

• The rise and intensification of global problems such as poverty, hunger, disease, environmental degradation, terrorism, etc.

• The rise and expansion of global civil society such as NGOs, social movements, transnational networks, etc.

• The rise and transformation of global governance such as multilateralism, regionalism, globalism, etc.

The strengths and weaknesses of the book

The book has been widely praised and acclaimed by many scholars and experts in the field of international relations for its merits and contributions. Some of its strengths are:

• It provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of the theory and practice of international relations, covering a broad range of topics and issues in depth and detail.

• It adopts a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to international relations, drawing on various fields and disciplines, and integrating different levels of analysis.

• It offers a balanced and nuanced perspective on international relations, recognizing its complexity and diversity, and avoiding simplistic or biased views.

• It challenges and stimulates the readers to think critically and analytically about international relations, as well as to explore alternative viewpoints and approaches.

• It applies and relates its learning to real-world situations and problems, both past and present.

However, the book also has some limitations and shortcomings that have been pointed out by some scholars and critics. Some of its weaknesses are:

• It is outdated and obsolete in some aspects, as it does not reflect or address some of the recent or emerging developments or trends in international relations, such as globalization, digitalization, human security, etc.

• It is biased or skewed in some aspects, as it reflects or favors some perspectives or interests over others, such as Western or American views over non-Western or non-American views, or state-centric views over non-state-centric views, etc.

• It is vague or ambiguous in some aspects, terms or arguments clearly or consistently.

• It is repetitive or redundant in some aspects, as it covers some topics or issues multiple times or in similar ways, without adding much new or relevant information or analysis.

The contemporary relevance and applicability of the book

Despite its age and flaws, the book still remains relevant and applicable for the study and practice of international relations today. It offers a rich and diverse source of insights and lessons that can help us understand and address the current and future challenges and opportunities in international relations. Some of these are:

• It reminds us of the importance and complexity of history and context in international relations, as well as the need to constantly update and revise our knowledge and perspectives based on new developments and evidence.

• It shows us the value and difficulty of achieving a balance between different interests and values in international relations, as well as the need to seek common ground and compromise among different actors and stakeholders.

• It teaches us the necessity and possibility of cooperation and interdependence in international relations, as well as the need to foster mutual trust and respect among different peoples and societies.

• It warns us of the dangers and costs of war and conflict in international relations, as well as the need to prevent and resolve them peacefully and effectively.

• It inspires us to envision and pursue a better and more just world community in international relations, as well as the need to take action and responsibility for making it happen.

The availability and accessibility of the book

If you are interested in reading this book, you might be wondering how and where to find it online for free. Fortunately, there are some options available for you to access this book without paying any money. Some of these are:

• You can download a PDF version of the book from the Internet Archive, which is a non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, music, and more. You can find the link to the book here: https://archive.org/details/internationalrel00palm.

• You can read a digital version of the book from Google Books, which is a service that searches the full text of books and magazines that Google has scanned, converted to text using optical character recognition, and stored in its digital database. You can find the link to the book here: https://books.google.com/books/about/International_Relations.html?id=obkzAAAAIAAJ.

• You can borrow an e-book version of the book from Open Library, which is an online project intended to create "one web page for every book ever published". It provides access to many public domain and out-of-print books, which can be read online or downloaded. You can find the link to the book here: https://openlibrary.org/books/OL6135579M/International_relations.

However, if you prefer to read a physical copy of the book, or if you want to support the authors and publishers, you might want to buy a new or used copy of the book from online or offline bookstores. You can also check if your local library has a copy of the book that you can borrow.

Conclusion

In conclusion, International Relations: The World Community in Transition by Norman D. Palmer and Howard C. Perkins is a classic and comprehensive textbook on international relations that covers a wide range of topics and issues related to the theory and practice of international relations. It reflects and responds to the major developments and trends that shaped and reshaped the international relations of its time, especially during the Cold War era. It also anticipates and predicts some of the future developments and trends that would affect and shape the international relations of the subsequent decades. It offers a balanced and nuanced perspective on international relations, recognizing its complexity and diversity, and avoiding simplistic or biased views. It challenges and stimulates the readers to think critically and analytically about international relations, as well as to explore alternative viewpoints and approaches. It applies and relates its learning to real-world situations and problems, both past and present. It also provides a rich and diverse source of insights and lessons that can help us understand and address the current and future challenges and opportunities in international relations. It is available and accessible online for free, as well as in physical form for purchase or borrowing.

Here are some questions for reflection and discussion:

• What are the main similarities and differences between the international relations of the Cold War era and the international relations of today?

• What are the main challenges and opportunities for international relations in the 21st century?

• What are the main skills and competencies that are needed for studying and practicing international relations in the 21st century?

• What are some of the sources or resources that you use or recommend for learning more about international relations?

• What are some of the topics or issues that you are most interested or curious about in international relations?

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the book and the article:

• Q: Who are the authors of the book?

• A: The authors of the book are Norman D. Palmer and Howard C. Perkins, who are both distinguished scholars and practitioners in the field of international relations.

• Q: When was the book first published?

• A: The book was first published in 1953, and has been revised and updated several times since then.

• Q: What is the main theme or argument of the book?

• A: The main theme or argument of the book is that international relations is a dynamic and evolving phenomenon that reflects and affects the changes in the world community, and that the main challenge and goal of international relations is to achieve a balance between different interests and values.

• Q: What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of the book?

• A: Some of the strengths of the book are that it provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of the theory and practice of international relations, adopts a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to international relations, offers a balanced and nuanced perspective on international relations, challenges and stimulates the readers to think critically and analytically about international relations, and applies and relates its learning to real-world situations and problems. Some of the weaknesses of the book are that it is outdated and obsolete in some aspects, biased or skewed in some aspects, vague or ambiguous in some aspects, and repetitive or redundant in some aspects.

• Q: How can I access the book online for free?

• A: You can access the book online for free by downloading a PDF version from the Internet Archive, reading a digital version from Google Books, or borrowing an e-book version from Open Library.

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