'The second edition of Short's book is a most welcome addition to the literature ... the most engaging feature of the new edition is the author's care and imagination in making the material accessible through judicious summaries, clear diagrams and carefully annotated bibliographies. Together, they should make the book an instant success in schools and higher education institutions.' - Geography`The principal quality of this book is that it has been written for undergraduate students, and not for senior researchers ... if a new general impression emerges from this textbook on political geography, it is one of the fluidity of the geopolitical configurations of international affairs, from the national (State) and social movements. The efforts of a renewed approach, and the modernity of Short's book constitute an appreciable contribution in political geography.' - Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie'This text is a masterful combination of classic and cutting-edge political geography from around the globe. It should have wide appeal.' - Michael Brown, University of Washington, USA'This innovative book is an excellent introduction to contemporary political geography. Its threefold structure provides valuable routes into material covering both current theoretical debates and illuminating case studies. It is up-to-date in every sense and enables students to appreciate the discipline's approaches through accessible exemplars.' - Ron Johnston, University of Bristol, UK'This book is much more than a basic introduction to political geography. It provides a critical, versatile alternative to traditional state-centric narratives in political geography and will be a valuable resource not only for political geographers but also for students in such fields as political science and sociology.' - Professor Anssi Paasi, University of Oulu

• Introduction Part 1 The Political Geography of the World Order Uneven Development: the Capitalist Whirlpool The Rise and Fall of the Superpowers: the East-West Fulcrum The Multipolar World Part 2 The Political Geography of the State The State and the World Order The Nation State The State as Spatial Entity Part 3 The Political Geography of Participation People and the State The Global Villagers Citizens and the City

'The second edition of Short's book is a most welcome addition to the literature ... the most engaging feature of the new edition is the author's care and imagination in making the material accessible through judicious summaries, clear diagrams and carefully annotated bibliographies. Together, they should make the book an instant success in schools and higher education institutions.' - Geography`The principal quality of this book is that it has been written for undergraduate students, and not for senior researchers ... if a new general impression emerges from this textbook on political geography, it is one of the fluidity of the geopolitical configurations of international affairs, from the national (State) and social movements. The efforts of a renewed approach, and the modernity of Short's book constitute an appreciable contribution in political geography.' - Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie'This text is a masterful combination of classic and cutting-edge political geography from around the globe. It should have wide appeal.' - Michael Brown, University of Washington, USA'This innovative book is an excellent introduction to contemporary political geography. Its threefold structure provides valuable routes into material covering both current theoretical debates and illuminating case studies. It is up-to-date in every sense and enables students to appreciate the discipline's approaches through accessible exemplars.' - Ron Johnston, University of Bristol, UK'This book is much more than a basic introduction to political geography. It provides a critical, versatile alternative to traditional state-centric narratives in political geography and will be a valuable resource not only for political geographers but also for students in such fields as political science and sociology.' - Professor Anssi Paasi, University of Oulu

• Introduction Part 1 The Political Geography of the World Order Uneven Development: the Capitalist Whirlpool The Rise and Fall of the Superpowers: the East-West Fulcrum The Multipolar World Part 2 The Political Geography of the State The State and the World Order The Nation State The State as Spatial Entity Part 3 The Political Geography of Participation People and the State The Global Villagers Citizens and the City