International relations Books

Book SynopsisIn this new book on Africa-China relations, Ngonlardje Kabra Mbaidjol strongly engages in the heated debates on African cooperation with China, an increassingly rich and powerful partner. The current dominant view highlights the neo-colonial and exploitative nature of these relations with a denial of any positive results for African people. However, the growing China-Africa partnership took its roots at Bandung 1955 conference, to culminate with an overt competition between China and other nations over African resources. For many, "a new scramble for Africa" emerges. The author argues there is rather a "global scramble for China," a fierce battle to get the PRC's kind attention. Africa is right to engage the struggle to access China's development funding. Africa may wish to avoid being distracted by rival voices, but to endeavor doing its own homework and rehearse for the global competiton, in the only interest of African people. Mbaidjol's book unpacks Africa's preparedness and rehearsal strategy.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments 1. A Call to Action for Africa 2. The Founding Principles of South-South Cooperation 3. The Shift Toward ‘Multi-polarity’ 4. BRICS: New Dimensions of China’s International Cooperation 5. China and Its Neighbors: Lessons for Africa 6. Asian Regional Institutions, and Implications for Africa 7. Examining China’s Foreign Aid 8. A Closer Look at Sino-African Trade 9. Chinese ‘Neocolonialism’: Fact or Fiction? 10. Gaps and Opportunities in Sino-African Cooperation 11. Harmonizing Legal and Administrative Infrastructures in Africa Conclusion: The Way Forward Bibliography

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Book SynopsisThis book reveals the limitations of dominant Western International Relations for studying the Arab Uprisings. It shows instead that focusing on varied social forces and non-state actors, as well as domestic semi-political and socio-economic transformations, can establish new ways of reading foreign policy and politics of post-revolutionary Middle East countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and GCC countries.Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction Arab Uprising in Ten: Studying Change from Inside/Outside  1 The Post Arab Uprising(s) Chaos: What Went Wrong?  2 The Arab Uprising and the Prolonged Crisis of the Arab States  3 Book Structure 1 Theories of International Relations and Change in the Arab World Nine Fallacies  1 Structural Change in International Politics since the End of the Cold War  2 Critical School and Change  3 Critical International Relations Theories and the Arab Uprising(s)  4 Political Identity  5 The Failure of Neoliberal Policies  6 Political Will  7 Arab Uprising and ir Theories: an Encounter  7.1 Cognitive Fallacy  7.2 Eurocentric Fallacy  7.3 Modernity/Enlightenment Fallacy  7.4 Monologic Fallacy  7.5 Pedagogical Fallacy  8 The [Mis]representation and [Mis]location of the Arab World in the Field of ir  9 Knowledge Production of ir in the Arabic Speaking World  10 The Ahistorical Perspective of ir in the Arab World  11 The Fallacies of Applying ir Theories to the Study of the Arab World 2 No Revolution Why as-Ṣa’īdiyya Did Not Really Revolt?  1 Saʿid: Identity and Politics  2 Doing Ethnography in Upper Egypt  3 Reflexivity/Limitations  4 Peasants and Rural Societies: an Overview  5 al-Saʿidiyya, al-fellaheen, and the 2011 Uprising  6 Findings  7 Abu-Qurqas Case Study  8 Conclusion 3 Incomplete Revolution The Determinations of Post-revolution Egyptian Foreign Policy  1 Introduction  2 Theories of International Relations and Revolution  3 Revolution and Foreign Policy  4 The Determinations of Egyptian Foreign Policy after the Arab Spring  4.1 The Nature of the Revolution  4.2 Regional and International Changes  4.3 Global Public Opinion Orientations  5 Domestic Policy and Post-revolution Foreign Policy  5.1 National Choices  5.2 National Performance  5.3 Domestic Policy  5.4 Regime Type  5.5 Civil-Military Relations  5.6 Public Participation  5.7 National Strategy 4 Counter-Revolution: Egypt–Gulf Relations after the Arab Uprising From Predominance to Bandwagon  1 Introduction  2 Revolution and War and Peace  2.1 The Nature of Revolutionary Organizations and Ideologies  2.2 Domestic Repercussions of Internal Changes  2.3 The Type of Revolutionary Regimes and Leadership  3 Revolution from the Perspective of ‘Balance of Values’ Theory  3.1 Security Concerns  3.2 Threat Perception  3.3 Misperception and Miscalculations  3.4 Foreign Aid  3.5 Stability Concerns  4 Regional Balance of Power in the Middle East after the Arab Uprisings  5 Between Morsi and Sisi: Regime Change and Egypt-gcc Relations  5.1 Locally  5.2 Regionally  6 Egypt–gcc Relations Issues  7 Bilateral Relations  8 The gcc and the Arab Uprising in Egypt  9 Egypt and Saudi Arabia  10 Economic Aid  11 Political Support  12 Regional Stability  13 Conclusion 5 Undesired Revolution: Power Transition in the Arab World The Fall of Egypt, and the Rise of Gulf States  1 Structural Realism and International Relations of the gcc Countries  2 The Characteristics of the Arabian Gulf Regional System  3 The Small States in the Arabian Gulf: an Outline  4 How to Study Small States: a Historical Sociology Perspective  5 Historical Sociology and the Rise of Small Arab Gulf States  6 A Three-Level Model  7 Welcome to “The Khaleeji Age”  8 The Pillars of the gcc Rise  9 The Aspects of the gcc Rise  10 The Objectives of the gcc Rise  11 Challenges and Obstacles to the gcc Rise  12 Great Expectations? Conclusion Much Ado about Nothing: [Eurocentric] Theories of International Relations and the Study of Arab Uprisings  1 Towards New Imagination: On Decolonising the Study of the Arab World Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisBahrain has roots deep in the past, going back some 5,000 years. It was a vital link between civilisations, such as the Phoenicians, the Levant and Mesopotamia. The 'modern' era of Bahrain began in 1783, following the island's conquest by Ahmed al-Fateh. It has been ruled by the al-Khalifa family since 1961. Bahrain was declared independent from the United Kingdom in August 1971, and issued its first constitution in 1973.

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Book SynopsisThe elections of nonpermanent members to the Security Council have become an increasingly competitive political and diplomatic game. Why do states assign to the lengthy, expensive, and difficult commitment that a Security Council candidature entails? What do they want to achieve and why are some states more successful in their endevour? This book establishes that the electoral results over time contribute to a stratified order between states and associate a term in the Council with multiple power enhancing benefits. It explores, especially, the significance of the campaigns carried out by competing candidates for the outcome of the UNSC elections. Contributors are: Anna María Eggertsdóttir, Jóna Sólveig Elínardóttir, Fredrik Dybfest Hjorthen, Touko Piiparinen, Tarja Seppä, Anni Tervo and Baldur ThorhallssonTable of ContentsAcknowledgments List of Figures and Tables Notes on Contributors 1 The Candidates for a Nonpermanent Seat in the Security Council: Who, Why and How?   Ann-Marie Ekengren and Ulrika Möller 2 Competing for an Elected Seat on the Security Council: Who, Why and How?   Ann-Marie Ekengren and Ulrika Möller 3 Candidatures and Terms: Detecting Winner and Losers   Ulrika Möller and Ann-Marie Ekengren    4 Why do States want a Seat on the unsc? Expectations between Different Types of States   Ann-Marie Ekengren, Fredrik D. Hjorthen and Ulrika Möller 5 Candidature Decisions: Six In-depth Examinations   Ann-Marie Ekengren, Ulrika Möller, Touko Piiparinen, Tarja Seppä, Anni Tervo, Baldur Thorhallsson, Jóna Sólveig Elínardóttir and Anna M. Eggertsdóttir 6 Competing Small Powers: Austria versus Iceland on the unsc   Baldur Thorhallsson, Jóna Sólveig Elínardóttir and Anna M. Eggertsdóttir 7 Greater than Its Size? Comparing Finland’s and Luxembourg’s Campaigns to the Security Council   Touko Piiparinen, Tarja Seppä and Anni Tervo 8 Election 2016: Sweden and the Kingdom of the Netherlands   Ann-Marie Ekengren and Ulrika Möller 9 Results, Conclusions, and Reflections   Ann-Marie Ekengren and Ulrika Möller Index

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Book SynopsisUncover the fascinating story of Greece's unwavering quest for European belonging. This thought-provoking book explores the intersection of geopolitics and political myth, tracing Greece's enduring determination to align with Europe and the West. From the early days of European integration to the challenges of the Eurocrisis, Greece's commitment remains steadfast. By analyzing the geopolitical myths that shape its identity, the book illuminates the multifaceted factors driving Greece's pro-European strategy and foreign policy. By introducing and using Analytical Geopolitics as a pioneering approach, the book provides a historical-structural framework and expands the role of myth in understanding international relations.Table of ContentsList of Maps and Tables 1 Introduction  1 Explanations Based on Interests and Identity  2 The Constitutive Role of Political Myth and Geography  3 Political Myth and Geopolitical Analysis 2 A Short History of Geopolitics  1 From Classical to Critical Geopolitics   1.1 Classical Geopolitics, Rise and Demise   1.2 Geopolitics’ Revival and Critique   1.3 Postmodern, Critical Geopolitics   1.4 Textual Deconstruction in Critical Geopolitics   1.5 The Critique of Critical Geopolitics  2 From Critical to Analytical Geopolitics   2.1 Myth and Political Myth   2.2 Political Myth, ir, and Geopolitics   2.3 Toward an Analytical Geopolitics  3 A Structural-Historical Method of Analysis   3.1 Geopolitical Myths as Structural Objects   3.2 Types and Form of Geopolitical Myths   3.3 The Functions of Geopolitical Myths 3 Geopolitical Mythmaking in Modern Greece  1 Excursus: Locating “Greece” in Space and Time  2 Imitating the West and the Greek Enlightenment   2.1 The Great Idea as a Foundational Geopolitical Myth   2.2 Modern Times, Modern Space: Enlightenment, Science, and Geography   2.3 Centrality, Continuity, and Affinity in Greek Political Geography   2.4 Interim Conclusion: The Diffusion of Belonging  3 Opposing the West and Greek Romanticism   3.1 Absolutism, Religion, and the Russian Expectation   3.2 Romantic Historiography and the Byzantine Revival   3.3 Western Dependence and the Limits of Opposition   3.4 Interim Conclusion: Opposition and Adaptation of Belonging  4 Belonging to the West and European Integration   4.1 Western Dependence from the Turn of the Century to World War II   4.2 Belonging to the West from the Civil War to European Integration   4.3 Europeanization, Modernization, and the Geopolitics of the Euro Crisis   4.4 Interim Conclusion: Ritualization and Sacralization of Belonging 4 Conclusions  1 Belonging to the West as a Geopolitical Myth  2 The Making of an Efficient Geopolitical Myth  3 Analytical Geopolitics: A Research Agenda References Index

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Book SynopsisComposed of original articles from academics and policy notes from practitioners, this book attempts to draw up the state of multilateralism through the UN model and identify potential ways to address its challenges and shortcomings. The contributors question the role of multilateralism, sometimes accused of being fragmented, inefficient and unrepresentative, and its impact on global governance, democracy, trade and investment, the environment, and human rights. Since most of the authors are not from the UN system, the content of the contributions provides an external and more neutral assessment of the UN’s ability to continue to function today as a serious actor within a global movement in favor of a renewed form of multilateralism. Does the UN Model Still Work? Challenges and Prospects for the Future of Multilateralism is now available in paperback for individual customers.Table of ContentsContents Acknowledgments IX List of Figures and Tables X Abbreviations XI Notes on ContributorsV Introduction Part 1: Special Contribution 1 Post-Bipolar Challenges to Multilateralism  Bertrand Badie Part 2: Global Governance, New Actors and Challenges to Multilateralism 2 Is Classic Multilateralism Outdated? The Case of the UN  Marcello Scarone 3 Geopolitical Shifts: Issues and Challenges for the Arctic Region  Lutz Feldt 4 New Multilateralism: The United Nations and Governance in the Era of Nonstate Actors  Elizabeth A. Bloodgood 5 Inclusive Multilateralism: Cities Take a Seat at the Table  Henri-Paul Normandin Part 3: Threats to Democracy Undermining the Multilateral System 6 Democratic Erosion and Multilateralism:When Authoritarian Leaders Challenge the Liberal International Order  Marianne Kneuer Part 4: International Multilateral Trade Governance 7 Multilateralism, Interdependence and Globalization  Michèle Rioux 8 The Gradual and Uneven Consolidation of an International Investment Protection Regime Decoupled from Multilateral Economic Organizations  María Teresa Gutiérrez Haces 9 Reframing the International Trade and Investment Framework to Meet the Challenges of the 21st Century  Mehdi Abbas Part 5: Environmental Governance and the Climate Challenge 10 A New Climate Club Is the Best Way to Reduce Global Emissions of Greenhouse Gases  Guy Saint-Jacques 11 Biodiversity Loss Under the Lens of Multilateralism: An Environmental Governance and International Law Perspective  Valériane Thool 12 Fostering Sustainable Economic Growth, Transformation and Promotion of Responsible Consumption and Production: The Subnational Government’s Role in Contributions to Multilateralism  Patrícia Iglecias 13 Challenges for the Coming Years: Learning Regional Lessons on Environmental Protection and Achieving the Participation of Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations System  Walter Arévalo-Ramírez Human Rights and Migration Governance 14 Migrants’ Protection and Assistance in the Face of a Changing World: Taking Stock of the Challenges and Responses  Emnet B. Gebre 15 What UNRWA Tells Us About Refugees and the United Nations  Yasmeen Abu-Laban 16 The Value of Re-socializing Boys and Men for Positive Gender Relations to Curb Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in South Africa  Christopher Isike Special Contribution 17 The UN at 75: A Political Declarationand a Global Conversation  Cecilia Cannon Index

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Book Synopsis"Religion is high on the agenda of international politics today. Though there has been a retreat from religion in Europe, the international debate on the meaning and relevance of religion has intensified after the Iranian revolution and has gained new strength with the recent terror attacks, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the proliferation of intrastate conflict, and the process of European integration. The issues of secularism and its relationship to democracy, globalization and foreign policy are explored in this book. It is most relevant for politicians, policymakers, academic researchers, non-governmental organisations, peace and development practitioners, as well as the media. The book deals with the practical and policy-related consequences of the debate for development organisations and their views on poverty, religion and conflict. The Society for International Development (SID) has brought together eminent international writers and leading authorities in the field of religion, coming from different backgrounds and regions. Among the contributors are Peter Berger, Leonardo Boff, Abdullahi An-Na’im, Riffat Hassan, Thomas Pogge, Scott M. Thomas and Jonathan Fox."

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