Dynamics of International Relations: Moving from International to Global Theory and Issues (Paperback - 2012)

The end of the Cold War and the changing nature of power and power structure have made serious implications for international systems. Significance of issues such as gender, human security and the rise of global environmental issues have increased and they have become the global agenda. Events since the end of the Cold War have made clear that the modern system of global politics based on independent sovereign states is eroding and evolving, and new political processes and institutions are assuming greater importance. The study of international politics is engulfed by state-centrism. Thus, global politics is concerned not only with political relations between states but also includes in its scope economic interdependence, human security, transnational corporations, international non-governmental organizations, the environment, gender inequalities, under-development, etc.

The contemporary state system is challenged by non-state actors. The rise of multinational corporations and growth of other types of non-state actors challenge the traditional state-centric theory of international politics, which holds that nation-states are the primary actors on the world stage. They may consist of global governance institutions, supranational actors (regional organizations), NGOs, MNCs, etc. Though, the era of state dominance is over, still states retain a monopoly on the use of coercive force and they are still shaping the transnational interactions of non-state actors.

Keeping all these developments and dimensions in view, this book is divided into three parts: History, Theory and Issues. The First Part contains the History of International Relations, particularly, the Cold War and post-Cold War era. The Second Part examines the Theory of International Relations. All major conventional theories such as Idealism, Realism/Neorealism, Liberalism/ Neoliberalism, and Dependency theories have been analysed. The Third Part comprises a discussion of various important issues and processes. This part is divided into Five Chapters: Human Security; Gender Sensitization of World Politics; Environment: Contrasting Conceptions and Global Responsibility; Globalization; and Role of State and Non State Actors in Global Politics.

The objective of this book is to extensively analyze the theory and important issues of international relations. The aim of this book is to explore the international relations, its scope, changing dimensions, theory and selected important issues. The scope of this book is to cover not only the conventional theories but also to focus on international political economy and post-positivist approaches such as critical theory, post modernism and constructivism.

About the AuthorParmjit Kaur Gill, M.A., UGC JRF, UGC NET, Ph.D., has more than 12 years experience of teaching at the university level and research experience of about 17 years. She has completed a major UGC research project on “South Asia Regional Cooperation and Cooperative Security—Problems, Progress and Prospects”. She has participated in several national seminars and international conferences in Pakistan, Taiwan and Canada, and has contributed articles in journals of repute. Presently she is working as Associate Professor, Political Science in the Department of Distance Education in Punjabi University Patiala. She is also supervising Ph.D. and M.Phil. students. Her area of specialization is International Relations and South Asia Regional Cooperation.

Sheveta Sehgal, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D., has presented papers at national seminars and international conferences. She has contributed articles in journals of repute. Her research topic was “Regionalism in the Post-Cold War Global Politics, With Special Reference to North American Integration.”