What does it mean to adopt a realist, or a world systems, or a feminist approach to international relations? Does the plethora of "isms"—liberalism and constructivism and postmodernism, to name just a few—have any relevance to the real world of global politics and policymaking? Making Sense of International Relations Theory addresses these questions by illustrating theories in action. With the case of Kosovo as a common point of reference, each contributor presents a particular framework for interpreting world affairs. This structure offers students tangible examples of the use of varying theories, while illuminating the explanatory differences among them. Incorporating extensive introductory sections, the book is uniquely designed to explore alternative ways of understanding current events—to assist students in making sense of, as well as with, IR theory.