Engineering for Peace and Diplomacy
This book makes a compelling argument for the role of the engineering profession in advancing human development and security and its contribution to various peacebuilding and diplomatic efforts in the 21st-century world.
Southeast Asian Affairs 2025
Southeast Asian Affairs, produced since 1974, is an annual review of significant trends and developments in the region. The emphasis is on ASEAN countries but important developments in the broader Asia-Pacific region are not ignored. The publication seeks to provide readable and easily understood analyses of major political, strategic, economic and social developments within the region.
Wall Street & the Bolshevik Revolution
Since the early 1920s, numerous pamphlets and articles, even a few books, have sought to forge a link between "international bankers" and "Bolshevik revolutionaries." Rarely have these attempts been supported by hard evidence, and never have such attempts been argued within the framework of a scientific methodology. Indeed, some of the "evidence" used in these efforts has been fraudulent, some has been irrelevant, much cannot be checked. Examination of the topic by academic writers has been studiously avoided; probably because the hypothesis offends the neat dichotomy of capitalists versus Communists (and everyone knows, of course, that these are bitter enemies). Moreover, because a great deal that has been written borders on the absurd, a sound academic reputation could easily be wrecked on the shoals of ridicule. Reason enough to avoid the topic.Fortunately, the State Department Decimal File, particularly the 861.00 section, contains extensive documentation on the hypothesized link. When the evidence in these official papers is merged with nonofficial evidence from biographies, personal papers, and conventional histories, a truly fascinating story emerges.We find there was a link between some New York international bankers and many revolutionaries, including Bolsheviks. These banking gentlemen - who are here identified - had a financial stake in, and were rooting for, the success of the Bolshevik Revolution.Who, why - and for how much - is the story in this book.
Reproducing Revolution
In Reproducing Revolution, Jenny Hedstr繹m explores the Kachin revolution in Myanmar from the perspective of female soldiers, female activists, and women displaced by the violence in northern Myanmar. Hedstr繹m argues that the household is an inherently gendered, militarized, and political space that impacts, and is in turn impacted by, the external conflict with which it coexists. In this context, women's everyday labor--the gendered work of childcare, farming, fighting, and forging connections both across households and between the household and the army and the nation--is key to revolutionary survival. Hedstr繹m calls this labor militarized social reproduction, and in Reproducing Revolution she demonstrates that such labor is critical to the military effort, and that warfare itself is shaped through everyday domestic action.
A Letter On The Present Situation Of Public Affairs
璽€œA Letter On The Present Situation Of Public Affairs璽€ offers a considered reflection on the pressing political matters of its time. Authored by Richard Musgrave, this letter provides insight into the author's perspective on governance, societal challenges, and the direction of public policy. Delving into the complexities of the political landscape, Musgrave's work encourages readers to engage thoughtfully with the issues that shape their world. A valuable resource for those interested in the historical context of political discourse and the timeless relevance of public affairs.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
A Letter On The Present Situation Of Public Affairs
璽€œA Letter On The Present Situation Of Public Affairs璽€ offers a considered reflection on the pressing political matters of its time. Authored by Richard Musgrave, this letter provides insight into the author's perspective on governance, societal challenges, and the direction of public policy. Delving into the complexities of the political landscape, Musgrave's work encourages readers to engage thoughtfully with the issues that shape their world. A valuable resource for those interested in the historical context of political discourse and the timeless relevance of public affairs.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
The Empty Chocolate Wrapper
"The Empty Chocolate Wrapper" is a poignant memoir by Adis Ziga, chronicling his experiences as a child during the Bosnian War and its aftermath. The story begins in the small village of Zepa, where Adis enjoys a peaceful childhood until the outbreak of war in 1992. Adis recounts the siege of Zepa, the hardships endured by his family and community, and the constant threat of violence that became a part of daily life.Throughout the memoir, Adis weaves in themes of resilience, family bonds, and the search for identity. He recounts his experiences in athletics, which became a source of hope and achievement in the post-war years."The Empty Chocolate Wrapper" is a powerful testament to human resilience, the impact of war on children, and the enduring strength of family ties in the face of unimaginable adversity. It provides a deeply personal perspective on a significant historical event, offering insights into the long-lasting effects of conflict and displacement.
The End of Conflict
The end of conflict? Sounds impossible, like the lion lying down with the lamb. Well, what if it were achievable? That would be something worth striving for.In this groundbreaking book, negotiation expert Simon Horton reveals how artificial intelligence could end war, heal our divided societies, and improve our closest relationships.Humans know how to resolve conflict in theory but, in practice, our egos and emotions get in the way. AI, though, doesn't have egos and emotions. But it does have an ability to manage vast amounts of data and develop creative solutions to problems that can seem intractable to humans. And as it becomes increasingly embedded in our world, we will be continually exposed to collaborative processes, quietly operating in the background and win-win will become the norm.There's a catch, of course. Can we trust the AI? Can we trust the technology companies?Horton shows what we need to do to ensure everyone benefits fairly from the promise of these powerful new technologies.
Brotherhood of men and Nations
Explore the vision of John D. Rockefeller in "Brotherhood of Men and Nations," a compelling discourse on international relations and the pursuit of global harmony. Penned by Rockefeller himself, this book offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of fostering cooperation among nations. Delve into the early 20th-century perspectives on global politics and discover the author's insights on promoting understanding and collaboration across diverse cultures and societies. A significant contribution to the literature on international relations, this work provides historical context and thought-provoking ideas relevant to contemporary discussions on world peace and diplomacy. "Brotherhood of Men and Nations" remains a testament to the enduring quest for a more unified and peaceful world.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Unsafe Haven
For almost two hundred years the United States has been a safe haven for Irish political prisoners seeking refuge. More recently however the US government has sought deportation, extradition and prosecution to exclude Irish republicans from the country. In the first book to focus on the relationship between these tools of exclusion and US foreign policy, Karen McElrath examines why this change has come about and the extent to which the granting of political asylum in the US is influenced by relations with Britain and other countries. Karen McElrath questions US government attempts to portray an impartial role in the Irish conflict, arguing that historical and contemporary evidence reveals otherwise. She shows that, far from being a neutral process, the success of bids for political asylum often depends on the relationship between the US and the government of the applicant's country of origin. Drawing on exclusive interviews with Irish Republicans who have faced deportation or extradition from the United States, or who have been prosecuted in the US for politically-motivated offences, McElrath explores the links between deportation and extradition outcomes and foreign policy issues. The tools of exclusion are defined in their historical context, and the history of US extradition law is described, with particular focus on the treaties with Britain. McElrath also examines the offences for which Irish and Irish-American Republicans have been charged, discusses the various levels of support for Irish political prisoners in the US, and summarises the findings by international human rights organisations.
Municipal Affairs
"Municipal Affairs, Volume 1" offers a detailed look into the pressing issues facing American cities in the late 19th century. Compiled by the Reform Club's Committee on City Affairs, this volume addresses critical aspects of urban governance, exploring topics such as infrastructure, public services, and political reform. This work provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of urban development during a period of rapid industrialization and population growth.A vital resource for historians, political scientists, and urban planners, "Municipal Affairs" sheds light on the historical context of modern urban challenges and the ongoing quest for effective and equitable city governance.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Strategic Disputes in the Black Sea Region
The Black Sea region has undergone significant political and social transformations over the past few decades, resulting in a new geopolitical reality that demands scholarly attention. This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolving security dynamics and the associated narratives in this strategic area. With a particular focus on the interplay between European and regional perspectives, this volume explores the critical role of power, energy policy, and security interests in shaping the region's geopolitical landscape. It examines the resurgence of regional leading powers, notably Russia, which has pursued a militant and aggressive foreign policy to reclaim its dominant position. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had a profound impact on the Black Sea region, leading to political and social crises in reform-oriented states like Armenia, Georgia, and Ukraine. Moreover, this book delves into Turkey's shifting role in the Black Sea region, as it reevaluates its strategic position between Asia and Europe. The authors analyze Turkey's transition from a cautious and dialogue-oriented regional policy to a more offensive and aggressive foreign policy profile. By considering diverse perspectives, the volume evaluates the prospects for an effective EU foreign policy in the region, examines the potential for sustainable democratic transformation, and explores the growing militarization of Turkish and Russian foreign policies. It also sheds light on the challenges and opportunities for strengthening pluralistic systems in the afflicted states. Featuring contributions from leading scholars in international security studies and foreign policy, this book offers a timely and in-depth exploration of the Black Sea region's complex dynamics. It will be an indispensable resource for scholars and policymakers seeking to understand the strategic disputes and their implications for European and regional interests.
Securing Our Future
In an era marked by escalating global crises--climate change, cyber threats, pandemics, and nuclear weapons proliferation--this book introduces a science-based approach to security and global threats. It underscores the necessity of interdisciplinary science and technology to ensure that decisions and actions are grounded in knowledge. This vision seeks to inspire, promote, and facilitate collaboration across all sectors of global society. Building resilient societies and effectively addressing global threats will require substantial resources. Can we afford to save the Earth? Can we afford not to? Four Key Elements: A Science-Based Approach to Security and Global Threats: The book is structured around two key chapters: an opening chapter that outlines this new vision, and a concluding chapter that reflects on how to translate that vision into actionable steps. Evolution of Earth and Society: A review of the development of our planet leading to modern society, with a discussion on global demography and the economy--critical components of global security and resilience. Key Global Communities: An introduction to five global communities--states, cities, the business and scientific communities, and civil society. It examines how each can contribute to building security and assesses their vulnerabilities to various threats. Major Human-Created Threats: A discussion of five large-scale threats created by human activity or arising from human interaction with nature: global warming, natural disasters, biopandemics, nuclear weapons, and cyber threats. This book serves as a call for informed, collaborative action to address the pressing global challenges of our time.
A Political Economy of Sovereign Wealth Funds in the Middle East and Asia
Intelligence Failures and Strategic Surprises in Complex Geopolitical Environments
We are in an era marked by rapid geopolitical shifts and evolving security challenges, the need for a comprehensive understanding of intelligence failures and strategic surprises has never been more critical. In this important work, Frederic Lemieux analyzes intelligence failures and strategic surprises in geopolitical contexts, offering historical and contemporary case studies, exploring causes and consequences, and providing insights into improving intelligence practices and understanding future geopolitical challenges. Bridging the gap between academic theory and practical intelligence analysis in the context of modern geopolitical instability, Lemieux features in-depth case studies spanning over eight decades, from the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 to the recent Hamas Attack in 2023. Recounting not only the events but also dissecting the types and sources of intelligence failures and their broader geopolitical implications, this historical breadth provides readers with a diverse range of scenarios to understand the evolution and recurring patterns of intelligence oversights. By exploring how technological advancements such as artificial intelligence can mitigate human cognitive biases, Lemieux presents a forward-looking perspective on intelligence practices. Operating under the premise that understanding past failures is crucial for improving future intelligence operations, this study demonstrates how we can re-shape international relations and emphasizes the importance of adapting intelligence analysis to the changing nature of global threats. A timely work which integrates insights from political science, psychology, history, and technology, this text provides intelligence professionals, policymakers, scholars, and students with a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between intelligence, decision-making, and geopolitical dynamics.
Resource Governance and Protracted Conflict in Nigeria’s Niger Delta
Since the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other activists in 1995, Nigeria's Niger Delta has witnessed conflicts associated with oil production and agitations against oil companies operating in the region. Why did the initial peaceful protests of the oil-bearing communities turn violent? What are the recurring complaints of the people? What roles do the government and the oil corporations play in the perpetuation of the conflicts? In answering these and related questions, John B. Idamkue explores the deep-seated perceptions and grievances of the oil-producing communities by tracing the history of struggle in the region and eliciting the candid views and perspectives of key community actors and stakeholders using their words and responses in a study that is revealing and insightful. By isolating the six pillars of resource governance, Idamkue shines a bright light on the change in the actors, political institutions, and impact of oil production on the livelihood of the people to explain why conflicts linger.
Fear of a Yellow Vest Planet
The Yellow Vest (Gilets Jaunes) protests that started in November 2018 have rocked French political culture and led critics to denounce the movement as being a threat to democracy, or worse. Among other things the protestors were accused of being barbarians, philistines, racists, anti-Semites and reactionaries who would destroy both France and European civilization. In fact, this book argues that the protests must be understood as part of a wave of protests against the extension of the market into all areas of social life that have been taking place around the world since the 1980s. While the Yellow Vest protests embrace a range of actors that cut across the French political spectrum the agenda that rapidly emerged from the movement in the shape of the 'People's Directive' shows that it is a broadly progressive protest that has articulated radical ideas and practices with a view to transforming French political culture by means of direct democracy. The end goal is to be a new social order which is environmentally sustainable and built around principles of social justice. In this respect its ideas and actions are a challenge to mainstream French political culture.
China’s Path to Global Status
This book offers a comprehensive exploration of China's governance evolution, focusing on its domestic transformation and the global political impact. The book charts China's trajectory from the reform and opening-up under Deng Xiaoping to the strategies employed by Xi Jinping, emphasizing the shifts in ideology, centralized governance, economic models, and international ambitions. It combines historical context, theoretical insights, and a nuanced comparison of key Chinese leaders, presenting a rich narrative that ties domestic policy to global aspirations.
Southeast Asia Views the United States
This book is a comprehensive study of Southeast Asian views of their respective countries' foreign policies towards the United States. The Southeast Asian contributors are all individuals who bridge both academia and foreign policy circles in their countries, in Southeast Asia, the Indo-Pacific, more broadly, and globally.There is a dearth of theoretically informed, empirically rich literature on the foreign policies of Southeast Asian states. This volume, with eight chapters written by some of Southeast Asia's leading analysts, is therefore important, timely, and fills a large gap in the literature.
China in the Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Ocean, the third-largest ocean in the world, holds immense geopolitical and economic importance. It surpasses even the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in terms of strategic significance. As the world's most densely populated region, the Indian Ocean facilitates the movement of one-third of global bulk cargo and nearly two-thirds of oil shipments. China's growing interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) can be traced back to the early 1960s. Since then, Beijing has steadily expanded its presence in the region, driven by crucial factors such as energy needs, trade routes, and strategic security concerns.Over 30 percent of China's seaborne trade, valued at approximately $300 billion, passes through the IOR. With China housing nearly a quarter of the world's population, its demand for energy has risen sharply. Lacking sufficient domestic resources, China relies heavily on foreign energy imports-about 77 percent of its oil comes from West Asia and Africa, transported via the Indian Ocean and the Malacca Strait.China's dependence on the IOR continues to increase, not only for energy but also for trading with Europe and acquiring resources from Africa. Through its 'String of Pearls' strategy, which involves establishing naval bases across the IOR, China is boosting its military presence. This growing influence poses a significant strategic threat to India, both in the ocean and along the tense India-China border.
Covert Wars in Ukraine
What forces are operating in the shadows of the war in Ukraine, both inside and outside the theater of operations? What clandestine operations have been going on for three years, unknown to the general public? Who is assassinating oligarchs across Europe? How are Western secret services helping the Ukrainians? And, more broadly, how do Russian and Ukrainian conceptions of clandestine action differ? Like all conflicts, the one taking place in Ukraine is multi-layered. One is visible. It manifests itself in destruction, operational and tactical movements and their human consequences. Behind this war, however, there is another, less visible and more discreet, taking place beneath the surface of the news. This is the clandestine war.Based on official information as well as American, European, Ukrainian and Russian documents, Jacques Baud reveals this invisible war. Between secret diplomacy and clandestine operations, he looks back at the underground confrontation pitting Russia, Ukraine and Western countries against each other since 2014.
The Road to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation
This book offers a policy analysis of the emergence of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) through the lens of John Kingdon's Multiple Streams Framework. Drawing on 32 expert interviews with key stakeholders--including EU institution representatives (such as trilogue negotiators), member states, industry leaders, NGOs, and journalists--the author provides a deep dive into the decision-making process behind the regulation. Additionally, the study examines 462 position papers from the EU Commission's consultation phases (2009-2011) to uncover the factors that shaped the adoption of the GDPR. At its core, this work explores the 'window of opportunity' that enabled the regulation's adoption.
Blitzkrieg and the Russian Art of War
A cutting-edge investigation of how Russia makes war. Russian strategy in the twenty-first century has been described in terms of 'hybrid' warfare, an approach characterised by measures short of war, such as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. But as the invasion of Ukraine has brutally demonstrated, conventional armed violence remains a key element of Russian power. In Blitzkrieg and the Russian art of war, Andrew Monaghan offers a high-level view of Russian thinking about warfare. Drawing on extensive Russian sources, he addresses important questions that have been overlooked by most Western commentators: what is the military leadership's distinctive idea of twenty-first-century blitzkrieg? How does it understand holistic territorial defence? How does it manage the shifting balance between offence and defence? Introducing key concepts from Russian military thinking, Blitzkrieg and the Russian art of war is a crucial resource for understanding Russia's resurgent role on the global stage and the devastating threat the country poses to the international order.
Strategy Dynamics
With a wealth of valuable empirical materials, Strategy Dynamics explores the concept of adaptation in strategic decision-making through detailed engagement with professional military education at various war colleges and three in-depth case studies of significant strategic reversals by the United States, France, and former Czechoslovakia. It examines President Ronald Reagan's decision to withdraw U.S. Marines from Lebanon in 1984, Fran癟ois Mitterrand's reversal of his original plan for the French exit from the European Monetary System in 1983, and V獺clav Havel's strategic pivot towards NATO membership for Czechoslovakia in 1991. After introducing a novel process-oriented model of strategic decision-making that highlights the positive effect of friction on strategy adaptation, the author uses process tracing to analyse factors at the individual, domestic, and international levels that enabled and triggered these strategic U-turns. The research draws on declassified and previously unavailable documents, as well as interviews with key figures involved in these strategic decisions, providing unique insights into the complexities of strategic decision-making and the process of strategy adaptation. The book compels readers to see strategy as a dynamic process, continuously evolving in response to changing circumstances, rather than as a fixed plan. In doing so, Strategy Dynamics fills a critical gap in the literature by focusing on the processes that drive strategy adaptation. It offers a comprehensive study of the conditions that contribute to open societies' ability to adapt their strategies more effectively, and it will serve as a reference for anyone dealing with strategy adaptation.
Proxy Wars from a Global Perspective
Proxy warfare is a growing international phenomenon. Although states have used proxies in armed conflicts for centuries, evolving regional and global security architecture is now forcing states to radically change the way contemporary conflicts are fought. Based on ten case studies, this reassesses exactly how these changing global and systemic factors are shaping the ways in which states use non-state actors as proxies in their armed conflicts. Examining the use of proxy warfare worldwide, focusing on the last decade's conflicts, this volume brings together contributions from scholars of international relations and global security studies in order to explore cases of armed conflict of particular regional and global significance. These include recent developments in the conflict in Israel and Palestine, the Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Central Asia, Syria, Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, Brazil and Yemen. By drawing on both theory and practise, it offers a re-evaluation of contemporary understanding of "outsourced warfare", with policy implications for how we understand and negotiate with states using proxy warfare in the future.
Democracy for a Sustainable World
The path to global sustainable development is participatory democratic global governance - the only truly effective path to confronting pandemics, military conflict, climate change, biodiversity loss, and potential overall ecological collapse. Democracy for a Sustainable World explains why global democracy and global sustainable development must be achieved and why they can only be achieved jointly. It recounts the obstacles to participatory democratic global governance and describes how they can be overcome through a combination of right representation and sortition, starting with linking and scaling innovative local and regional sustainability experiments worldwide. Beginning with a visit to the birthplace of democracy in ancient Athens, a hillside called the Pnyx, James Bacchus explores how the Athenians practiced democratic participation millennia ago. He draws on the successes and shortfalls of Athenian democracy to offer specific proposals for meeting today's challenges by constructing participatory democratic global governance for full human flourishing in a sustainable world.
Blitzkrieg and the Russian Art of War
A cutting-edge investigation of how Russia makes war. Russian strategy in the twenty-first century has been described in terms of 'hybrid' warfare, an approach characterised by measures short of war, such as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. But as the invasion of Ukraine has brutally demonstrated, conventional armed violence remains a key element of Russian power. In Blitzkrieg and the Russian art of war, Andrew Monaghan offers a high-level view of Russian thinking about warfare. Drawing on extensive Russian sources, he addresses important questions that have been overlooked by most Western commentators: what is the military leadership's distinctive idea of twenty-first-century blitzkrieg? How does it understand holistic territorial defence? How does it manage the shifting balance between offence and defence? Introducing key concepts from Russian military thinking, Blitzkrieg and the Russian art of war is a crucial resource for understanding Russia's resurgent role on the global stage and the devastating threat the country poses to the international order.
Democracy for a Sustainable World
The path to global sustainable development is participatory democratic global governance - the only truly effective path to confronting pandemics, military conflict, climate change, biodiversity loss, and potential overall ecological collapse. Democracy for a Sustainable World explains why global democracy and global sustainable development must be achieved and why they can only be achieved jointly. It recounts the obstacles to participatory democratic global governance and describes how they can be overcome through a combination of right representation and sortition, starting with linking and scaling innovative local and regional sustainability experiments worldwide. Beginning with a visit to the birthplace of democracy in ancient Athens, a hillside called the Pnyx, James Bacchus explores how the Athenians practiced democratic participation millennia ago. He draws on the successes and shortfalls of Athenian democracy to offer specific proposals for meeting today's challenges by constructing participatory democratic global governance for full human flourishing in a sustainable world.
The Upside of US-Chinese Strategic Competition
US-Chinese strategic competition is a defining factor in world politics. The prevailing narrative on US-China relations predicts inevitable conflicts between these two giants, potentially leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy. While fully acknowledging the inherent dangers of potential wars or military conflicts between the two powers, this book shows that competition is not necessarily detrimental. By systematically examining US-China institutional balancing across security, economic and political domains, particularly in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, this book highlights three positive externalities or unintended consequences: the revitalisation of regional institutions to address emerging challenges, unexpected collaborations between great powers (the US and China) and regional actors, and the provision of public goods by both nations. The book argues that constructive and institutionalised competition between the US and China, if managed with strategic foresight and restraint, could inadvertently lead to positive outcomes - institutional peace - in the Asia-Pacific region.
Cosmopolitan Imaginaries and International Disorder
While the idea of a cosmopolitan order embracing all humankind is ancient, after the Cold War it was widely believed to be an emerging future. As global interdependence and interaction through new technologies increased, literature of cosmopolitan globalization argued that these changes were setting the stage for a structural transformation of world politics. Yet, a revolt against globalism and increasingly divisive and unstable international order has dramatically contradicted this idea. This presents a puzzle for International Relations theory: Why have attempts to construct cosmopolitan order struggled to emerge in the modern global world? Cosmopolitan Imaginaries and International Disorder argues that advocacy for cosmopolitan order reform in the modern world has struggled to recognize the political identities of states and populations and to legitimize its proposed political hierarchies. As a result, these efforts have been overwhelmed by states shoring up their power and remobilizing exclusionary nationalist identities, especially when struggles are intensified in contexts of international instability and economic turmoil. In developing a theory to explain these patterns of cosmopolitan politics, this book offers insight into the limits and role of cosmopolitanism in a dividing international order after liberal globalism.
Intellectuals and the Crisis of Politics in the Interwar Period and Beyond
This volume offers a broad-ranging and comprehensive analysis of the history and theory of the political idea of 'crisis', from the interwar period through to the present day. It considers how the multiple crises of civilization, capitalism, social cohesion, liberalism, democracy, socialism, and the nation-state were conceptualized; how these spheres of crisis became entangled; and who the intellectuals, politicians and experts were who employed these discourses. Intellectuals and the Crisis of Politics in the Interwar Period and Beyond maps the range of meanings the term 'crisis' has borne and the roles it has performed across disciplines and countries, de-centering the dominant narrative that takes Western European positions and developments as normative. It especially focuses on the historical roots of two key contemporary contesters of liberal democracy: neoliberalism and populism, and presents an innovative analysis of the roots of contemporary illiberalism in Europe. Bringing these ideas into the present day, Bal獺zs Trencs矇nyi offers ideas on how a reflective and self-critical liberal democratic political position could be defined and defended in our current predicament, which is increasingly compared to the interwar period and is often described as a "polycrisis".
Accountability After Economic Crisis
Accountability after Economic Crisis reconstructs the captivating story of how different nations responded to the 2008 economic crisis, one of the most challenging economic downturns in modern history. The book focuses on puzzling cross-country variations in policies of accountability. Why did some countries look for explanations of the economic failure and seek to hold those responsible to account, while others looked the other way? And among those countries looking for the truth, were some more successful than others? If so, were certain methods more effective than others? Is there, in fact, a best way? Iosif Kovras introduces an innovative framework to explain the varied political responses to an economic crisis, pushing the boundaries of traditional analysis by drawing on political economy, comparative politics, public administration, economic history, criminal law, and criminology. To test this framework, he draws on five post-2008 case studies, Ireland, Iceland, Greece, and Cyprus, and adds the experience of the United States in the Great Depression to refine the framework. He identifies three distinct accountability mechanisms used by leaders: retribution - prosecuting those at fault; truth recovery - establishing commissions of inquiry to reveal the facts; official acknowledgment - issuing formal apologies. Zeroing in on each country in turn, he shows how these mechanisms were employed and with what effect. Featuring original observations from a survey in Iceland and experimental data from a conjoint experiment, Accountability after Economic Crisis provides a thorough and engaging examination of how countries manage accountability in the wake of an economic crisis.
The Gamer's Guide to International Relations
Ready Player One meets Foreign Affairs-everything your students need to know about international relations through the lens of video games!The Gamer's Guide to International Relations uses massively popular video games as a stepping stone to learning about international relations. The study of international relations concerns itself with critical topics like war, civil war, terrorism, human rights, trade, monetary policy, and the environment. Each of these areas of human need, crisis, and response can be difficult to understand. However, gamers already implicitly understand the international world through the games they play. Drawing upon lessons gamers learn through gameplay, this volume guides readers as to how their existing knowledge can help untangle some of the most complicated topics facing humanity. The book progresses by introducing readers to how scholars use the scientific method in international relations. Readers will encounter pivotal international relations theories that explain why war occurs, like realism, liberalism, and constructivism, as well as understanding concepts like the bargaining model of war. The book discusses how we learn about international politics and guides the reader through how we can research world politics and gaming. Finally, the book focuses on key interest areas like international political economy, human rights, the environment, and civil war.
State Capture in the Militarized Fight Against Illegal Small-Scale Goldmining in Ghana
Urbicide in Syria
This book provides an exhaustive analysis of the relationship between violence, urban space, and political subjectivity in Syria. It does so through an exploration of how urbicide, the violent destruction and alteration of the urban fabric, becomes a tool for the regime's governmental and sovereign exercise of power, decisively redefining state-society dynamics and cementing political loyalty in Syria. Adopting a critical and postcolonial perspective, and through the cases of Damascus and Aleppo, the volume presents a unique perspective on the civil war by examining socio-material changes in everyday political spaces and processes, from mundane destruction to urban development and reconstruction efforts, and how these are experienced by local communities. Featuring rich data collection through interviews, archival research, and aesthetic sources, the book ultimately foregrounds Syrians' political agency and creativity despite ruination.
The European Commission's Toleration of Noncompliance with EU Law
EU law is widely recognized as the backbone of European integration. As 'the Guardian of the Treaties', the European Commission is expected to enforce EU law relentlessly and meticulously. Noncompliance by Member States, however, is not always prosecuted by the supranational guardian; instead, supranational enforcement by the Commission is known to be selective and strategic. In this book, Yaning Zhang argues that such forbearance is driven by divergent enforcement rationales. He assumes that the Commission, when enforcing EU law, is a hybrid institution of a political agent and a judicial trustee. The enforcement incentives of the Commission are to advance its legislative and political agenda and to safeguard the stability of the EU legal order, respectively. When these two incentives interact, it leads to four ideal types of toleration of noncompliance with EU Law by the Commission. Guided by the proposed typology, the book traces four cases of enforcement leniency concerning restrictive measures against pharmaceutical parallel trade, opaque defence procurement, degrading practices towards irregular migrants, and discriminatory regulation over car tolls. These cases demonstrate that the Commission's strategic enforcement is not driven by a singular or merely egocentric logic but by different configurations of divergent enforcement incentives. Naturally, the normative quality of individual types of forbearance is also rather diverse. With its novel typology and in-depth empirical evidence, The European Commission's Toleration of Noncompliance with EU Law offers a new way of understanding the complex interplay between law and politics in the EU.
Substantive Minority Representation in Parliament
This book explores why members of parliament (MPs) substantively represent minorities with invisible characteristics--those lacking outwardly recognizable features. This invisibility complicates the representational relationship, as minority members often do not publicly self-identify, leaving MPs unaware of their electorate's composition and citizens uninformed about MPs' affiliations. Studies on those minorities yield mixed results on the importance of minority membership for MPs' legislative behaviour. Analysing sexual minorities' representation, this work attempts to provide a clearer picture. Moreover, it looks at political values and awareness as additional explanatory factors. Both parts, a quantitative analysis of parliamentary questions and a comparative case study of legislative processes regarding same-sex marriage, reveal that minority membership significantly affects individual and macro-level substantive representation, with political values and awareness being at play, too. Overall, this book adds conceptual, theoretical, and empirical insights to research on representation, legislative studies, and comparative politics in general. Thereby, this study provides important clues on how the integration of minority interests in liberal democracies can succeed.
Varieties of Power
The introduction of gender quotas has significantly increased women's representation in national legislatures--not only in democracies but also in many autocracies. To what extent has the growing number of women in authoritarian legislatures granted them more power and influence? What conditions help or hinder women's political participation under autocratic regimes? And what does the role of women tell us about the politics of authoritarianism today? Drawing on a decade of fieldwork and a vast data set collected across the Middle East and North Africa, Marwa Shalaby develops a new theory of women's political representation in authoritarian regimes. She examines the dynamics of women's political inclusion in three Arab monarchies, Morocco, Jordan, and Kuwait, with varying levels of quota implementation and where the strength and capacity of political parties differ widely. Shalaby demonstrates that the degree to which individual parties have been institutionalized plays a significant role in women's legislative behavior and political power. Parties play integral roles in recruiting, cultivating, supporting, and elevating female candidates in contexts where women have been excluded from existing networks of power, in nondemocratic systems as well as democracies. Although the introduction of quota systems has expanded women's numerical presence, the absence of institutionalized parties has limited their ability to gain influence. Nuanced and incisive, Varieties of Power offers grounded, comparative insights into the study of gender and politics, political representation, and authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa.
Palestinians in Israel After the Arab Spring
The Arab Spring initially ignited excitement for Arab society in Israel. But following the outbreak of the uprising in Syria, Israeli-Arab attitudes shifted. This book demonstrates why the Arab Spring, and especially the war in Syria, provoked such deep fragmentation for Palestinians in Israel. Based on governmental and public surveys, the book shows that many more Arab-Palestinian citizens became supportive of instrumental integration with Israeli politics following the Arab Spring. But the momentous events convinced other Arab citizens to abandon the connection between finding a solution for the Palestinian problem if it involved integration with the state. At the same time, this book reveals that the younger generations wanted to search for alternatives to replace the existing political frameworks completely and were inspired to form a new model of political activism. This is the first study to explore how the Arab Spring affected Arab society in Israel in terms of identity, political discourse and behaviour. In doing so it covers the new policy adopted by the central government in Israel, formed after 2011 to strengthen civic discourse amongst Arab citizens. It has been neither Israelization nor Zionization; but Instrumental integration which meets the conditional citizenship offered by the state.
Europe’s World
The EU's international environment is increasingly characterized by power politics, great-power rivalry, ideological contestation and war. This has challenged the liberal-internationalist identity that has been at the heart of the EU since its birth. This book examines how the EU has responded to these new realities. It analyses the introduction of a flurry of concepts including European sovereignty, strategic autonomy, civilization, responsibility and strategic compass, and asks whether these signal a reconsideration of foreign policy objectives, a new strategic orientation or possibly a paradigm shift. The book develops a theoretical framework on policy paradigms, worldviews, grand strategy, strategic narratives and the drivers of institutional change followed by chapters on the anti-liberal challenge, the evolution of the EU framework of ideas, the search for grand strategy and strategic autonomy, the response to Russian aggression and imperial thinking, and continuity and change in EU unity, working groups, green leadership and strategic communication.
The British Civil Service
Taking account of its evolution in recent decades, this book provides an up-to-date account of the role of the Civil Service in the UK. The book offers a much-needed re-examination of the function and role of the Civil Service and considers the ways in which it has changed in response to today's pressures. It examines the changing relationships between ministers, civil servants and special advisers (spADs), as well as investigating challenges to the principles of the Civil Service such as service outsourcing, COVID-19 responses and Brexit. Asking whether the practices of the past are effective for the future, this book is a vital resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students of UK politics, public administration and public sector management.
The British Civil Service
Taking account of its evolution in recent decades, this book provides an up-to-date account of the role of the Civil Service in the UK. The book offers a much-needed re-examination of the function and role of the Civil Service and considers the ways in which it has changed in response to today's pressures. It examines the changing relationships between ministers, civil servants and special advisers (spADs), as well as investigating challenges to the principles of the Civil Service such as service outsourcing, COVID-19 responses and Brexit. Asking whether the practices of the past are effective for the future, this book is a vital resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students of UK politics, public administration and public sector management.
The Upside of Us-Chinese Strategic Competition
US-Chinese strategic competition is a defining factor in world politics. The prevailing narrative on US-China relations predicts inevitable conflicts between these two giants, potentially leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy. While fully acknowledging the inherent dangers of potential wars or military conflicts between the two powers, this book shows that competition is not necessarily detrimental. By systematically examining US-China institutional balancing across security, economic and political domains, particularly in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, this book highlights three positive externalities or unintended consequences: the revitalisation of regional institutions to address emerging challenges, unexpected collaborations between great powers (the US and China) and regional actors, and the provision of public goods by both nations. The book argues that constructive and institutionalised competition between the US and China, if managed with strategic foresight and restraint, could inadvertently lead to positive outcomes - institutional peace - in the Asia-Pacific region.
Violence and Development Along the India-Pakistan Border in Jammu & Kashmir
This book examines the impact of cross-border violence on communities living along the Line of Control and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Using Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, and 8 as metrics, it examines the first and second-order effects of ceasefire violations, efforts by state and private actors, and the role of coincident factors such as geography, terrain, and the socio-political environment. It uses diverse sources including newspapers, civil society reports, government records, surveys, stakeholder interviews, and field visits. The study finds that cross-border violence affects everyday life through confinement, displacement, and migration. Beyond death or injury, violence along the border impacts mental health, damages infrastructure, and reduces access to educational and financial facilities. It also discourages skilled human resources and private investment in these areas. The violence and the responses to it deter normal life and activity and, over time, leave a permanent impact on the socio-economic fabric of the region.
