Designed as an introductory survey of world history in the 20th century , this book discusses the major political and economic changes that have reshaped global relations and focuses on the forces leading to the collapse of empires and the resulting rise of nationalism throughout the world. The Fourth Edition develops the thematic argument that the single most profound global transformation in human relations during the 20th century has been the demise of all remaining empires and the emergence—in their place—of nation-states.