Abstract
Textbooks should be given more attention than is usually the case: even though they do not claim to open new paths in a given field, they might be more influential than they are given credit for because they condition and shape young people's minds and orientations. The international relations textbook here under review distinguishes itself from many others by the fact that it incorporates more material and more problems related to peace research, to third world issues and to the social ills of the international system. Unfortunately, these positive and laudable aspects do not make up for serious flaws in approach, and the book displays what the reviewer considers to be another manifestation of American academic provincialism. He argues that the book does not contribute to a critical education — neither students and future scholars nor citizens in general are stimulated by it to engage in any policies for change.
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