Preface: AI usage in Higher Education

Welcome to International Relations: Concepts, Cases, and Global Crises! This textbook was designed with one simple mission: to make understanding global politics engaging, practical, and unforgettable. It’s not just about treaties and power struggles—it’s about connecting abstract theories to the dynamic, sometimes chaotic, world we live in. With chapters that pair IR theory with cultural touchstones like zombie apocalypses, superhero dilemmas, and dystopian futures, this book ensures students see the relevance of IR in the media they consume and the world they navigate. By emphasizing real-world applications and critical thinking, we aim to transform global politics from a daunting field of study into a vibrant, relatable exploration of humanity’s challenges and triumphs.

To assist us in creating this textbook, we employed the help of generative AI. Why generative AI, you ask? Because we wanted this textbook to reflect the cutting-edge spirit of its subject. Generative AI allowed us to distill complex ideas into accessible language, generate fresh examples, and infuse each page with clarity and creativity. AI tools helped ensure our writing stayed approachable yet academically robust, bringing consistency across a wide range of topics. Plus, by embracing AI, we’re modeling a forward-thinking approach that aligns with IR’s growing focus on emerging technologies. This book is a partnership between human expertise and AI innovation—reflecting the kind of collaboration that defines the 21st century.

The book is organized into four thematic units: Theory, Practice, and Global Disasters, International Security and Superheroes, Economic Security and Dystopias, and Human Security, Robots, and Aliens. Each unit introduces core IR concepts through both traditional frameworks and creative, often cinematic, case studies. From understanding realism through zombie outbreaks to analyzing economic globalization with dystopian corporations as the backdrop, every unit combines rigor with relatability. Together, these units build a scaffolded understanding of global politics, ensuring students leave with both theoretical knowledge and the critical tools to analyze the world around them. We hope that this is more than just a textbook but a conversation starter for the next generation of global thinkers.