Developed out of the author's own substantial teaching experience, this introduction to political geography approaches its subject matter from the standpoint of political economy and the politics of difference. Unlike other similar texts, it incorporates critical approaches to human geography that have emerged over the past thirty years, such as the impact of cultural studies, those emphasizing the role of capitalist development, and work on the theory of the state. The text covers all the central issues in the field, including identity politics, state territoriality, and the way geography makes a difference in the form of attachments and commitments to place in contexts of interdependence. Students are introduced to ideas about how the geography of politics has been interpreted and can be studied in clear and accessible language. Numerous fascinating and relevant examples are used throughout in order to sustain reader interest.