Instructor Manual: D’Anieri, International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs, 6e, ©2027, 979821415704;
Chapter 1: Introduction: Problems and Questions in International Politics
Instructor Manual
D’Anieri, International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs, 6e, ©2027, 979821415704; Chapter 1: Introduction:
Problems and Questions in International Politics
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................1
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter ........................................................................... 2
What’s New in This Chapter ................................................................................................ 2
Chapter Outline ..................................................................................................................... 3
Learning Objective 1.1 Identify ways in which international politics is linked to
everyday life. ................................................................................................................................ 3
Learning Objective 1.2 Distinguish between explanatory and normative theory. ......... 4
Learning Objective 1.3 Analyze the links between theory and policy. ............................. 4
Learning Objective 1.4 Elaborate on how theories are evaluated in political science. 5
Learning Objective 1.5 Apply the concept of levels of analysis in international
relations. ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Cengage Supplements .......................................................................................................... 6
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or 1
posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: D’Anieri, International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs, 6e, ©2027, 979821415704;
Chapter 1: Introduction: Problems and Questions in International Politics
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce learners to the fundamental concepts and
analytical frameworks essential for understanding international politics. This chapter
establishes the foundational knowledge needed to examine how power and purpose
shape global affairs, from individual decision-making to systemic interactions.
Students will explore the scientific approach to studying international relations,
distinguishing between explanatory and normative theories while understanding their
practical applications in policy making. The chapter emphasizes the importance of
theoretical frameworks in analyzing complex global phenomena, introduces levels of
analysis as an organizational tool for understanding different explanatory approaches,
and demonstrates how academic theories directly connect to real-world policy
debates and decisions that affect individuals worldwide.
WHAT’S NEW IN THIS CHAPTER
The following elements are improvements in this chapter from the previous edition:
o New opening vignette focusing on the re-election of Donald Trump and the
questions resulting from changes in U.S. foreign policy relating to tariffs, WHO,
and the U.S. role in the world
o New opening vignette infographic using the Sudanese Civil War to illustrate the
range of actors in international politics
o Updated “Think It Through” feature focuses on WHO and politics on the global
transmission of disease
o New “The Policy Connection” feature on the relationship between the study of
international politics and the formulation of foreign policy
o Updated research findings on the American public opinion on the invasion of Iraq
o New “History Connection” feature on how history influences international
politics
o New discussion of public health and international politics
[return to top]
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or 2
posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: D’Anieri, International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs, 6e, ©2027, 979821415704;
Chapter 1: Introduction: Problems and Questions in International Politics
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Chapter Learning Objectives
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1.1 IDENTIFY WAYS IN WHICH INTERNATIONAL POLITICS IS
LINKED TO EVERYDAY LIFE.
PPT Slides: 3–6
Key Concept
International politics directly affects daily life through economic policies like tariffs
that influence prices of goods, security decisions that impact personal safety, and
environmental policies that affect weather patterns and health outcomes.
Discussion Question
How might changes in U.S.–China trade relations affect your ability to afford
everyday items like electronics, clothing, or food, and what does this reveal about
the interconnectedness of global politics and personal economics?
Key Concept
Global health crises like pandemics demonstrate how international cooperation or
lack thereof directly impacts individual health, economic opportunities, and social
freedoms through travel restrictions, vaccine distribution, and economic
disruptions.
Discussion Question
Based on the COVID-19 experience, how do decisions about international health
cooperation affect your personal freedom to travel, work, and socialize, and what
are the trade-offs between national sovereignty and global health coordination?
Key Concept
Immigration patterns and policies, driven by international conflicts, economic
disparities, and climate change, shape local communities, job markets, and
cultural dynamics in ways that affect individual opportunities and social cohesion.
Discussion Question
How do international factors like wars, economic crises, or climate change in
distant countries influence the demographic composition and economic
opportunities in your own community?
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or 3
posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: D’Anieri, International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs, 6e, ©2027, 979821415704;
Chapter 1: Introduction: Problems and Questions in International Politics
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1.2 DISTINGUISH BETWEEN EXPLANATORY AND NORMATIVE
THEORY.
PPT Slides: 11–14
Key Concept
Explanatory theory seeks to understand and predict how the world works by
identifying cause-and-effect relationships, while normative theory addresses what
goals should be pursued and what constitutes acceptable behavior in
international relations.
Discussion Question
When analyzing a military intervention to stop human rights abuses, how would
explanatory and normative approaches differ in their focus, and why might policy
makers need both types of analysis?
Key Concept
Policy recommendations require both explanatory theory to predict consequences
of different actions and normative theory to establish which outcomes are
desirable, making the distinction crucial for effective decision-making.
Discussion Question
In debates over climate change policy, how do explanatory and normative theories
contribute different but essential elements to policy formation, and what happens
when these are confused or conflated?
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1.3 ANALYZE THE LINKS BETWEEN THEORY AND POLICY.
PPT Slides: 9–10
Key Concept
Every foreign policy decision is based on theoretical assumptions about cause-
and-effect relationships, even when policy makers don't explicitly acknowledge
these underlying theories about how international politics works.
Discussion Question
How do different theoretical assumptions about the causes of terrorism lead to
fundamentally different counterterrorism policies, and what are the risks of
basing policy on unexamined theoretical assumptions?
Key Concept
Academic theories directly inform policy debates by providing frameworks for
understanding complex international problems and predicting the likely
consequences of different policy choices.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or 4
posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Chapter 1: Introduction: Problems and Questions in International Politics
Instructor Manual
D’Anieri, International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs, 6e, ©2027, 979821415704; Chapter 1: Introduction:
Problems and Questions in International Politics
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................1
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter ........................................................................... 2
What’s New in This Chapter ................................................................................................ 2
Chapter Outline ..................................................................................................................... 3
Learning Objective 1.1 Identify ways in which international politics is linked to
everyday life. ................................................................................................................................ 3
Learning Objective 1.2 Distinguish between explanatory and normative theory. ......... 4
Learning Objective 1.3 Analyze the links between theory and policy. ............................. 4
Learning Objective 1.4 Elaborate on how theories are evaluated in political science. 5
Learning Objective 1.5 Apply the concept of levels of analysis in international
relations. ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Cengage Supplements .......................................................................................................... 6
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or 1
posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: D’Anieri, International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs, 6e, ©2027, 979821415704;
Chapter 1: Introduction: Problems and Questions in International Politics
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce learners to the fundamental concepts and
analytical frameworks essential for understanding international politics. This chapter
establishes the foundational knowledge needed to examine how power and purpose
shape global affairs, from individual decision-making to systemic interactions.
Students will explore the scientific approach to studying international relations,
distinguishing between explanatory and normative theories while understanding their
practical applications in policy making. The chapter emphasizes the importance of
theoretical frameworks in analyzing complex global phenomena, introduces levels of
analysis as an organizational tool for understanding different explanatory approaches,
and demonstrates how academic theories directly connect to real-world policy
debates and decisions that affect individuals worldwide.
WHAT’S NEW IN THIS CHAPTER
The following elements are improvements in this chapter from the previous edition:
o New opening vignette focusing on the re-election of Donald Trump and the
questions resulting from changes in U.S. foreign policy relating to tariffs, WHO,
and the U.S. role in the world
o New opening vignette infographic using the Sudanese Civil War to illustrate the
range of actors in international politics
o Updated “Think It Through” feature focuses on WHO and politics on the global
transmission of disease
o New “The Policy Connection” feature on the relationship between the study of
international politics and the formulation of foreign policy
o Updated research findings on the American public opinion on the invasion of Iraq
o New “History Connection” feature on how history influences international
politics
o New discussion of public health and international politics
[return to top]
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or 2
posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: D’Anieri, International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs, 6e, ©2027, 979821415704;
Chapter 1: Introduction: Problems and Questions in International Politics
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Chapter Learning Objectives
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1.1 IDENTIFY WAYS IN WHICH INTERNATIONAL POLITICS IS
LINKED TO EVERYDAY LIFE.
PPT Slides: 3–6
Key Concept
International politics directly affects daily life through economic policies like tariffs
that influence prices of goods, security decisions that impact personal safety, and
environmental policies that affect weather patterns and health outcomes.
Discussion Question
How might changes in U.S.–China trade relations affect your ability to afford
everyday items like electronics, clothing, or food, and what does this reveal about
the interconnectedness of global politics and personal economics?
Key Concept
Global health crises like pandemics demonstrate how international cooperation or
lack thereof directly impacts individual health, economic opportunities, and social
freedoms through travel restrictions, vaccine distribution, and economic
disruptions.
Discussion Question
Based on the COVID-19 experience, how do decisions about international health
cooperation affect your personal freedom to travel, work, and socialize, and what
are the trade-offs between national sovereignty and global health coordination?
Key Concept
Immigration patterns and policies, driven by international conflicts, economic
disparities, and climate change, shape local communities, job markets, and
cultural dynamics in ways that affect individual opportunities and social cohesion.
Discussion Question
How do international factors like wars, economic crises, or climate change in
distant countries influence the demographic composition and economic
opportunities in your own community?
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or 3
posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: D’Anieri, International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs, 6e, ©2027, 979821415704;
Chapter 1: Introduction: Problems and Questions in International Politics
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1.2 DISTINGUISH BETWEEN EXPLANATORY AND NORMATIVE
THEORY.
PPT Slides: 11–14
Key Concept
Explanatory theory seeks to understand and predict how the world works by
identifying cause-and-effect relationships, while normative theory addresses what
goals should be pursued and what constitutes acceptable behavior in
international relations.
Discussion Question
When analyzing a military intervention to stop human rights abuses, how would
explanatory and normative approaches differ in their focus, and why might policy
makers need both types of analysis?
Key Concept
Policy recommendations require both explanatory theory to predict consequences
of different actions and normative theory to establish which outcomes are
desirable, making the distinction crucial for effective decision-making.
Discussion Question
In debates over climate change policy, how do explanatory and normative theories
contribute different but essential elements to policy formation, and what happens
when these are confused or conflated?
LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1.3 ANALYZE THE LINKS BETWEEN THEORY AND POLICY.
PPT Slides: 9–10
Key Concept
Every foreign policy decision is based on theoretical assumptions about cause-
and-effect relationships, even when policy makers don't explicitly acknowledge
these underlying theories about how international politics works.
Discussion Question
How do different theoretical assumptions about the causes of terrorism lead to
fundamentally different counterterrorism policies, and what are the risks of
basing policy on unexamined theoretical assumptions?
Key Concept
Academic theories directly inform policy debates by providing frameworks for
understanding complex international problems and predicting the likely
consequences of different policy choices.
a
© 2027 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or 4
posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
