Peace studies and conflict resolution Books

Book SynopsisThe authors develop a theoretical framework to explain how and when public and non-public warnings about future conflicts affect decision-making in Western states and international organisations. For scholars and practitioners working on conflict prevention, strategic surprise, and advocacy in peace, intelligence and communication studies.Trade Review'Meyer, De Franco, and Otto show that the problem of warning needs to be conceptualized broadly and seen as part of an interactive foreign policy process, with important warners being not only government officials, but NGOs, the media, and informal advisors. The sophisticated analysis is supported by detailed case studies drawing on a wide variety of unusual sources, and the result is a book of great interest.' Robert Jervis, Adlai E. Stevenson Professor, Columbia University and author of How Statesmen Think'Warning about War is essential reading for all those who study and work in the field of conflict and atrocity prevention. It makes a significant contribution to our understanding of when warnings about violence are heeded, and what warners could do to make their messages more persuasive. Meyer, de Franco and Otto argue that warnings about conflict take place in the wider context of foreign policy-making, and they provide an innovative conceptual and theoretical framework for explaining when and why warnings have an effect on foreign policy-makers. Case studies include the Rwandan genocide and the more recent Russian-Ukrainian conflict.' Karen Smith, London School of Economics and Political Science'A fascinating study of how and when warnings about future conflict are listened to. The authors show that warnings are rarely as clear or as numerous in the actual event as they later seem in hindsight, making the job of warning of and preventing conflicts and humanitarian crises even more difficult than many believe.' Erik J. Dahl, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey'There has been a surge of academic interest in improving conflict predictions, often based on the premise that early warning can help promote early action to prevent conflict outbreaks or limit escalation, but often very little attention to how policy makers respond to prediction and when it is likely to motivate action. Popular discourse often tend to see conflicts and disasters as predictable, and criticize politicians for failing to act, with limited attention to the problems of hindsight bias and the difficulties in predicting conflict ex ante. This book summarizes a sustained research program on when warnings are likely to lead to action and what makes warnings more or less persuasive. It will deserves to be read by all scholars interested in conflict prediction, conflict management, and how to bridge the gap between research and policy.' Kristian Skrede Gleditsch, University of Essex and Peace Research Institute, Oslo'Warning about War: Conflict, Persuasion and Foreign Policy makes a tremendously valuable contribution to the study of and strategy for conflict prevention, and the 'warning-response gap' in particular. It draws on extensive research, integrates literatures across subfields too often treated separately, and builds its analysis through mixed methodologies. In so doing it both advances theoretical understanding of these crucial issues and delineates policy recommendations to help close the warning-response gap.' Bruce W. Jentleson, William Preston Few Professor of Public Policy, Duke University'This sophisticated analytical treatment of the theory of political conflict will interest specialists and professionals studying or involved in conflict resolution.' J. A. Rhodes, ChoiceTable of Contents1. Conflict warnings as persuasion attempts; 2. A theory of conflict warning as persuasion in foreign policy; 3. Inside-up warnings within states and international organisations; 4. Outside-in warnings I: persuasion by NGOs; 5. Outside-in warnings II: persuasion by journalists and media organisations; 6. (Mis-)identifying warnings and the problem of hindsight bias: the case of the Rwandan Genocide; 7. What makes individual officials persuasive warners? The case of the 2004 Darfur crisis; 8. Explaining differences in persuasiveness: the EU members states and the 2008 Five-Day War in Georgia; 9. Warning within EU institutions and the Ukrainian-Russian conflict of 2013–14; 10. When are warnings heeded and what can warners do?; References; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisD''Anieri explores the dynamics within Ukraine, between Ukraine and Russia, and between Russia and the West, that emerged with the collapse of the Soviet Union and eventually led to war in 2014. Proceeding chronologically, this book shows how Ukraine''s separation from Russia in 1991, at the time called a ''civilized divorce'', led to what many are now calling ''a new Cold War''. He argues that the conflict has worsened because of three underlying factors - the security dilemma, the impact of democratization on geopolitics, and the incompatible goals of a post-Cold War Europe. Rather than a peaceful situation that was squandered, D''Anieri argues that these were deep-seated pre-existing disagreements that could not be bridged, with concerning implications for the resolution of the Ukraine conflict. The book also shows how this war fits into broader patterns of contemporary international conflict and should therefore appeal to researchers working on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia''

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book provides an accessible, scholarly, and up-to-date examination of international humanitarian law, with relevant cases, examples, and discussion questions. It offers students and teachers a comprehensive and logical discussion and analysis of the law, and the developing trends in theory and practice of the law.Trade Review'This is one of the best primers around on the burgeoning field of international humanitarian law, useful for practitioners and students alike. It accurately and accessibly describes the law, deftly discusses uncertainties and controversies, is concise yet comprehensive, and traverses contemporary and historical challenges. Every law library worth its salt should hold a copy.' Ben Saul, Challis Chair of International Law, University of Sydney and Visiting Professor, Harvard University, Massachusetts'Crawford and Pert have produced a well-organised, thorough, and highly readable overview of a complex body of law. It includes ample citations, penetrating discussion questions and helpful lists of further readings. This work can serve effectively either as a text for a basic international humanitarian law course or as a reference guide in support of a broader course in international law.' Brad R. Roth, Wayne State University'Crawford and Pert have accomplished the seemingly impossible: produced a text on IHL that matches its concise explanations with real scholarly sophistication. It also deftly combines the history of the legal regulation of warfare with the most cutting-edge controversies of the field, including drones, targeted killings, and cyberwar. It will be as useful to students as it is to scholars, and has earned a permanent place on my desk. The second edition is even better than the first and incorporates many real-world events and the latest scholarly developments.' Jens David Ohlin, Cornell University, New YorkTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Historical development of international humanitarian law; 2. The contemporary legal basis of international humanitarian law and its fundamental principles; 3. Types of armed conflict; 4. Individual status in armed conflict – combatants, non-combatants, direct participation in hostilities and prisoners of war, and detention in non-international armed conflicts; 5. Protection of the wounded, sick and shipwrecked; 6. The law of occupation and the protection of civilians; 7. Targeting; 8. Means and methods of warfare; 9. Implementation, enforcement and accountability; 10. Conclusion.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book comprises of a range of case studies of military strategy, based on UN documents, observing and concluding the effectiveness of each individual case. Edstrom and Gyllensporre analyse the UN's military strategy, its consequences and its potential to fulfil political ambitions.Trade Review"This book is both an advocacy for better burden-sharing peacekeeping efforts and to take better into consideration military expertise. It is indeed high time that we reconcile political commitment with military efficiency." - Dr Alexandra Novosseloff, Senior Researcher at the Centre Thucydide of the University 2, Paris "Political Aspirations and Perils of Security provides a significant contribution to the study of strategic art. It breaks new ground by examining UN peace operations from a military strategic analytical context. The book's case study approach works well and sets up the background for the final discussion of how the UN processes address the fundamentals of strategy [...] This is a valuable work in gathering and synthesizing key thoughts and analysis on UN peacekeeping operations and presenting them in a clear and coherent manner." - Professor William J. Flavin, US Army War College, Carlisle, USATable of ContentsList of Tables and Figures Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Is there Utility in Applying Military Strategy? The Evolution of UN Peace Operations Mission in Southern Europe – UNFICYP Mission in the Middle East – UNDOF Mission in the Middle East – UNIFIL Mission in Northern Africa – MINURSO Mission in Central Africa – MONUC/MONUSCO Mission in Western Africa – UNMIL Mission in Western Africa – UNOCI Mission in the Caribbean – MINUSTAH Mission in Eastern Africa – UNMIS/UNMISS Mission in Eastern Africa – UNAMID Linking Political Goals with Military Objectives

Read more less

Book SynopsisIntroduction Civil Rights October 1968 - July 1969 Unionist Collapse and Adaptation January 1969 - June 1970 Free Derry August - October 1969 The British Army August 1969 - April 1970 Republican Revival August 1969 - August 1970 Reform and Repression August 1970 - July 1971 On to a New Plane After 1971 Bloody Sunday in Context Conclusion Maps BibliographyTrade ReviewReviews of Previous Edition: '...it offers a vivid portrayal, vibrating with contemporary relevance... Stylistically, this reads more like a work of investigative journalism than an academic treatise... a splendid, lively, sharp account.' - Eamonn McCann, Sunday Tribune '..written in a manner that is both scholarly and accessible to the general reader...manages to be balanced without ever concealing the author's evident passion for the city and its people. This really is a superb piece of work.' - Colin Coulter, Bullán: An Irish Studies Journal '...excellent book. What takes centre stage in this account is not the grand operas of high politics or totalising ideologies, but the popular airs of community, family and friendship networks, of local political activity and goals and the local experience of confrontation and conflict...It is this focus...that makes From Civil Rights to Armalites such a compelling read.' - Mark McGovern, Irish Political Studies 'It is rare indeed...to find a book about Derry which provides meticulously detailed nationalist and loyalist histories of the period 1968-1972, which is true to events - and yet is still gripping reading.' - Derry JournalTable of ContentsIntroduction Civil Rights October 1968 - July 1969 Unionist Collapse and Adaptation January 1969 - June 1970 Free Derry August - October 1969 The British Army August 1969 - April 1970 Republican Revival August 1969 - August 1970 Reform and Repression August 1970 - July 1971 On to a New Plane After 1971 Bloody Sunday in Context Conclusion Maps Bibliography

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe process of negotiation, standing as it does between war and peace in many parts of the globe, has never been a more vital process to understand than in today''s rapidly changing international system. Students of negotiation must first understand key IR concepts as they try to incorporate the dynamics of the many anomalous actors that regularly interact with conventional state agents in the diplomatic arena. This hands-on text provides an essential introduction to this high-stakes realm, exploring the impact of complex multilateralism on traditional negotiation concepts such as bargaining, issue salience, and strategic choice. Using an easy-to-understand board game analogy as a framework for studying negotiation episodes, the authors include a rich array of real-world cases and examples to illustrate key themes, including the intensity of crisis situations for negotiators, the role of culture in communication, and the impact of domestic-level politics on international negotiations. Trade ReviewAs international negotiations proliferate, so too does the need to understand their context, structure and process. This book provides a useful account of the myriad challenges facing negotiators today, addressing the changes in technology, actors and agendas. . . .The book’s value is in its easily accessible approach to explaining negotiations using a range of real-world examples. The authors aim not only to explain the processes, but also to provide a tool in the teaching and practice of negotiations. . . .The book is therefore of interest to those teaching and learning about the complexities involved in the ‘give-and-take’ processes of international negotiations. * South African Journal of International Affairs *This excellent text introduces students to the basic concepts, structures, processes, and outcomes involved in international negotiations in the complex global environment in which we live. The authors do an excellent job of presenting the basic components of international negotiation theory in a clear and engaging fashion, while also drawing on the latest scholarly research in a user-friendly manner. One comes away recognizing that negotiated agreements require a mutual ability to forego the optimal for mutually satisfactory terms that meet the fundamental needs and interests of all negotiating parties. Therefore, compromise and creative invention of mutually beneficial formulas that transcend conflicting interests are required in order to achieve joint benefits; achieving these outcomes requires patience, creativity, and a lot of hard work. This text is thus of value for both students approaching the subject for the first time as well as for experienced practitioners who may gain new insights into strategies for negotiating better, fairer, and more durable international agreements on some of the most complex but important issues of our time. -- P. Terrence Hopmann, Johns Hopkins University, SAISBy adopting a gameboard analogy and drawing on a wide range of recent case examples woven throughout the text, International Negotiation in a Complex World provides an approachable yet rich coverage of negotiation processes. The authors present a clear structural framework for discussing negotiations, incorporating a broad range of applicable literature. This text would fit very well into classes covering negotiation topics ranging from the environment and development to conflict and post-conflict issues. -- Carolyn Shaw, Wichita State UniversityTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface 1 Introduction Negotiation in Broad Context Negotiation in International Relations Negotiation as a High-Stakes Game Structuring Negotiation Summary 2 The Board The International System Negotiation Characteristics: A Checklist Summary 3 The Players Sovereign States as Negotiators Transnational Actors Actor Dynamics Summary 4 The Stakes The Traditional Issue Framework Issue Salience in a Changing International System Two-Level Negotiations Summary 5 The Moves Modeling Strategic Choices Weighing Strategic Choices Implementing Strategy Summary 6 Outcomes Identifying Important Trends Analyzing Real-World Cases The U.S.-Iraq Protracted Conflict: Balancing Force and Diplomacy Looking Forward Appendix 1: Instructors Guide to ICONS International Negotiation Simulation Simulation as Active Learning in International Relations Understanding the ICONS Simulation Process Appendix 2: Student Guide: It’s Your Turn to Play the Game Participation in ICONS Exercises: Understanding the Process Phase 1: Preparation Phase 2: Negotiation Phase 3: Debrief References Index About the Authors

Read more less

Book SynopsisBo Stråth is Professor Emeritus at the University of Helsinki, Finland. He has written widely on conceptual history and the history of European integration. His recent publications include States and Citizens: History, Theory and Prospects (2003), The Political History of European Integration (2010) and A European Memory? Contested Histories and Politics of Remembrance (2013).Trade ReviewThe book impresses with an amazing literacy, a masterful overview of the current status of research and committed commentaries. * H-Soz-Kult (Bloomsbury translation) *This is a major and wide-ranging history of Europe from the Congress of Vienna in 1815 through the Versailles Treaty of 1919 to the Schumann Plan of 1950. Strath masterfully reconstructs the history of Europe around how these utopias of peace sought to overcome the legacy of war. It is a significant study that shows how the post-second world project of European integration must be understood in the context of modern European history since the French Revolution. He shows with great acumen how new designs for political economy emerged around plans for international peace. * Gerard Delanty, Professor of Sociology, University of Sussex, UK *Stråth’s detailed and well-documented book argues a strong case … By isolating the concept of utopia, giving it thorough attention, and describing its evolution, Stråth has made a significant contribution to the historical literature on peace. * Journal of Modern History *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction: Utopia, History and Teleology: The Bicentenary European Search for a Political Economy for Welfare and Warfare, and Struggle with Nationalism and Democracy 1. The Vienna Peace Utopia of 1815 and the World of Trade 2. Welfare: The Dissolution of the Vienna Peace Utopia from Within 3.Warfare: The Dissolution of the Vienna Peace Utopia from Without 4. Versailles: the Utopia of Peace through Democracy 5. The Great Depression and the Collapse of the World Order 6. After World War II: From the Utopia of Peace for the Cold War to the Euro-Crisis and the Search for a New Narrative Epilogue: The Bicentenary European Struggle with Nationalism and Democracy, and Search for a Global Political Economy Bibliography Index

Read more less

Trade ReviewPraise for If Nuns Ruled the World “In an age of villainy, war and inequality, it makes sense that we need superheroes. And after trying Superman, Batman and Spider-Man, we may have found the best superheroes yet: Nuns.” —Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times “Piazza writes vividly about hardworking women who devote their time and energy to making other people’s lives better. The result is a readable, informative look at how nuns, as flawed and human and real as they may be, also have a calling and a faith, and they use that to create change in the world. . . . If Nuns Ruled the World is a little bit of a crowd pleaser and a little bit subversive, and it opened up my eyes to the everyday heroism of some amazing women.” —Flavorwire “Anybody looking to argue there is a place for Catholicism in the modern world should just stand on a street corner handing out Piazza’s book. By sharing the chills-inducing tales of the women toiling in ways most of us could never fathom, she has given oxygen to that flickering flame that is the Church's reputation in the U.S.” —The Daily Beast “Fascinating profiles of 10 women determined to make a difference. Piazza successfully updates the image of black-garbed brides of Christ to strong, proactive and, yes, devout women intent on addressing social ills and tending to souls the Catholic church seems to shun, like gays and lesbians. Piazza delivers a controversial and important book.” —Daily News (New York) “This affecting collection of journalistic pieces by Piazza . . . goes a very long way toward dispelling any notion of nuns as conformist knuckle-whackers. . . . Accessibly written, these ten portraits should speak to many students and church groups.” —Library Journal

Read more less

Book SynopsisWe know of the blood and tears provoked by the projects of transformation of the world through war or revolution. Starting from the essay published in 1921 by Walter Benjamin, twentieth century philosophy has been committed to the criticism of violence, even when it has claimed to follow noble ends. But what do we know of the dilemmas, of the betrayals, of the disappointments and tragedies which the movement of non-violence has suffered? This book tells a fascinating history: from the American Christian organizations in the first decades of the nineteenth century who wanted to eliminate slavery and war in a non-violent way, to the protagonists of movementsThoreau, Tolstoy, Gandhi, Capitini, M. L. King, the Dalai Lamawho either for idealism or for political calculation flew the flag of non-violence, up to the leaders of today's color revolutions.Table of ContentsIntroduction: From the Broken Promises of Perpetual Peace to Non-Violence 1. Christian Abolitionism and Pacifism in the USA 2. From Pacifist Abolitionism to Gandhi and Tolstoy 3. Gandhi and the Socialist Movement: Violence as Discrimination? 4. The Anti-Colonialist Movement, Lenin’s Party, and Gandhi’s Party 5. Non-Violence in the Face of Fascism and the Second World War 6. Martin Luther King as the “Black Gandhi” and Afro-American Radicalism 7. Gandhi’s Global Reputation and the Construction of the Non-Violent Pantheon 8. From Gandhi to the Dalai Lama? 9. “Non-Violence," the “Color Revolutions," and the Great Game 10. A Realistic Non-Violence in a World Prey to Nuclear Catastrophe

Read more less

Book SynopsisWidely recognized as one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the twentieth century, Jiddu Krishnamurti taught that in order for there to be peace in the world, we must each first make peace with ourselves. No spiritual path, leader, or personal or political philosophy will guide us in this endeavor, he said; this transformation of the human psyche is a truth that each of us must discover within. Here, Krishnamurti teaches that the war and destruction human beings wreak on each other and the environment are caused by our misplaced attachment to a sense of self and individuality that leads to aggression, competition, greed, and conflict. When we recognize that our consciousness is not individual but common to all humans, we can work together in a spirit of cooperation and compassion. Krishnamurti shows that taking personal responsibility for our actions and reactions—in our relationships and in our lives—is the necessary first step toward a global view.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this sequel to the hugely-popular This Man’s Wee Boy, young Tony Doherty struggles to come to terms with the murder of his father, Paddy, on Bloody Sunday and the impact it has on his mother, Eileen, and his brothers and sisters. At nine years old, he knows a terrible wrong has been committed against his family but lacks the understanding or the means to do anything about it – yet. For his fractured family, life goes on, with Tony determined to preserve the memory of his father and the bond they shared, even as he becomes increasingly immersed in the violent conflict raging on Derry’s streets. As the 1970s unfold his father’s absence remains the backdrop to the teenage Tony’s newfound friendships and relationships, an ever-present ache amidst the craic and excitement of Sunday dances, first kisses and a trip to Butlins. Then, at seventeen, Tony decides it’s time to join the fight.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlthough there is often opposition to individual wars, most people continue to believe that the arms industry is necessary in some form: to safeguard our security, provide jobs and stimulate the economy. Not only conservatives, but many progressives and liberals, support it for these reasons. Indefensible puts forward a devastating challenge to this conventional wisdom, which has normalised the existence of the most savage weapons of mass destruction ever known. It is the essential handbook for those who want to debunk the arguments of the industry and its supporters: deploying case studies, statistics and irrefutable evidence to demonstrate they are fundamentally flawed, both factually and logically. Far from protecting us, the book shows how the arms trade undermines our security by fanning the flames of war, terrorism and global instability. In countering these myths, the book points to ways in which we can combat the arms trade’s malignant influence, reclaim our democracies and reshape our economies.Trade ReviewIn an unflinching assessment of the arguments that support the global trade in conventional weapons, Holden holds this new book up to its title, finding such myths to be indefensible.' * Arms Control Today *Debunks the myths commonly used to defend the indefensible. The author helps us to recognise those myths on the basis of a breathtaking, well-researched array of cases, and leads us to the conclusion that change is not only needed, but is actually possible. * Ana Gomes MEP, member of the EU Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs *Bristling with facts, figures, and incisive case studies, Indefensible shines a bright light on the dark underbelly of the global arms trade. Cynicism, corruption, and sheer stupidity have produced a world awash with weapons. Holden and his collaborators show how we got into this mess and offer a way out. * Andrew J. Bacevich, author of America's War for the Greater Middle East *Essential reading for all those who believe that there are alternatives to the incessant cycle of wars and conflict. It is a calm and systematic analysis, which leaves the reader in no doubt that the arms trade can and must be challenged. * Anna Macdonald, Control Arms *Holden and his colleagues’ measured, succinct and cogent analysis of the shallowness of conventional wisdom is invaluable. This excellent book deserves the widest possible readership. * Nicholas Gilby, author of Deception in High Places: A History of Bribery in Britain's Arms Trade *A ground breaking effort in myth-busting, bringing together the foremost scholars on the global arms trade to untangle the web of lies surrounding this deadly industry. A must-read for anyone who wants to understand the players who make modern warfare and all its attendant suffering possible. * Nick Turse, investigative journalist and author of Kill Anything that Moves *Indefensible not only explains what is wrong with the arms trade, but also provides us with the tools needed for change. * Wendela de Vries, Dutch Campaign Against the Arms Trade *Table of ContentsIndefensible: Setting the Scene Introduction Section 1: There Is No Problem Myth 1: Higher Defense Spending Equals Increased Security Myth 2: Military Spending Is Driven by Security Concerns Myth 3: We Can Control Where Weapons End Up and How They Are Used Myth 4: The Defense Industry Is a Key Contributor to National Economies Myth 5: Corruption in the Arms Trade Is Only a Problem in Developing Countries Myth 6: National Security Requires Blanket Secrecy Section 2: The Arms Trade Can't Be Beaten Myth 7: Now Is Not the Time Conclusion: Change Is Possible

Read more less

Book SynopsisConstitution-making for democracy has always been a highly political and contested process. It has never been more ambitious, or more difficult, than today as politicians and experts attempt to build democratic institutions that will foster peace and stability in countries torn by violent conflict. The extended investigation out of which this book has grown has ranged across three continents. It has examined such apparently intractable cases as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sri Lanka and Fiji, as well as apparent 'success stories' like South Africa, Ghana and Uganda. The authors, while regarding democracy as a general entitlement, refuse to subscribe to a triumphalist view which sees it as a universal panacea. Instead they seek to understand how democratic institutions actually facilitate (or sometimes fail to facilitate) improved governance and the management of conflict in a variety of national settings. This thoughtful and empirical set of explorations is highly relevant to other societies wrestling with similar problems of institutional design in situations of democratic transition and/or deep-seated social conflict.Trade Review'These highly informed original contributions on the politics of institutional design offer a wealth of insights.' Martin Doornbos, Institute of Social Studies, the Hague 'The book reinforces a message that cannot be repeated too often, it seems, which is the need to relate institutions and institutional innovation to its specific political context.' Vicky Randall, University of EssexTable of Contents Introduction: Can Democracy be Designed? - Sunil Bastian and Robin Luckham 1. Democratic Institutions and Democratic Politics and Political Violence - Robin Luckham, Anne Marie Goetz and Mary Kaldor 2. The Politics of Institutional Design in the South African Transition - David Pottie and Shireen Hassim 3. The Reformulation of Ugandan Democracy - James Katalikawe and Aaron Griffiths 4. Ghana: The Political Economy of 'Successful' Ethno-Regional Conflict Management - E. Gyimah-Boadi 5. The Politics of Institutional Design: An Overview of the Case of Sri Lanka - Radhika Coomaraswamy 6. Proportional Representation, Political Violence and the Participation of Women in the Political Process in Sri Lanka - Kishali Pinto Jayawardena 7. The Political Economy of Electoral Reform: Proportional Representation in Sri Lanka - Sunil Bastian 8. Electoral Engineering and the Politicization of Ethnic Frictions in Fiji - Jon Fraenkel 9. Building Democracy from the Outside: The Dayton Agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Marcus Fox 10. Managing Ethnic Conflicts: Democratic Decentralization in Bosnia-Hercegovina - Vesna Bojicic 11. Conclusion: The Politics of Institutional Choice - Sunil Bastian and Robin Luckham

Read more less