Exploring themes associated with corruption, sustainable development, and human rights and security, Robert J. Hanlon considers the political dynamics of corporate social responsibility (CSR) within the context of the 'Asian Century' and its place in an increasingly multipolar world. By assessing how social responsibility is changing the discourse around trade, development and diplomacy, Hanlon sheds light on how competing visions of social responsibility are influencing political narratives in China and the West, examining multipolarity, the construction of Global China, and the ascent of competitive pluralism. Chapters argue that the liberal economic order founded at Bretton Woods is wavering with Western governments and multinational corporations who are seeking new strategies to compete against China, especially in emerging economies known for weak governance structures and dysfunctional rule of law. As CSR emerges as a political tool for states and business actors, this timely book adopts a human security approach for assessing the weaponization of political values within an increasingly fragmented rule-based liberal order. Expanding on the themes of constructivism, competitive pluralism and progressive neoliberalism, while introducing the novel concept of developmental CSR, this forward-thinking book will prove a vital resource for students, scholars and policymakers interested in Asian politics, public policy, CSR and international relations.

This Handbook provides an in-depth analysis of the multiple ways in which oil has shaped, changed and affected international relations and global politics. Theoretically innovative, it provides new insights into the interaction between the materiality of oil and its social, economic and political manifestations. International contributors address the continuing legacy of oil, colonialism, and neo-imperialism and how this has had lasting effects on regions like the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Chapters also assess the complex ways in which oil has influenced the trajectory of global capitalism with the emergence of multiple and powerful economic actors and institutions, and how this has affected the less powerful, the marginalised and the dispossessed. The Handbook concludes by considering the future of oil in the context of the transition to a low-carbon energy system and the challenges and geopolitical consequences of a world becoming less dependent on oil. Exploring the interaction between oil, hegemony and the international political order, this Handbook will be critical reading for scholars and students of international relations, energy policy and environmental governance and regulation. It will also be beneficial for practitioners and policy makers in the field of the international political economy of energy.

This collection addresses human rights and development for researchers, policymakers and activists at a time of major challenges. 'Critical issues' in the title signifies both the urgency of the issues and the need for critical rethinking. After exploring the overarching issues of development and economic theory, gender, climate change and disability, the book focuses on issues of technology and trade, education and information, water and sanitation, and work, health, housing and food. The chapters then examine how to operationalize human rights in development through accountability, the right to development, indicators and the Sustainable Development Goals. The conclusion proposes international standards and social mobilization for human rights and sustainable development as normative and policy-oriented tools for addressing the climate emergency, the coronavirus pandemic, social inequality, racial injustice, and the rise of populist authoritarianism and for advancing social justice and the equal value of all human beings. This book is of interest to students of development and human rights studies, international relations, international law and contemporary social issues, as well as professionals working at government, intergovernmental and civil society organizations dealing with these issues.

Exploring the importance of the EU Services Directive (Directive 2006/123), this book provides an expansive insight into the controversial legislation regulating the internal market in services, whilst examining the challenges of positive harmonisation. In addition, by analysing the functioning and judicial interpretation of the directive, it considers EU trade regulation values and the broader significance of EU regulation in global regulatory standard setting. The book analyses the directive's contribution to the fundamental freedoms and to the completion of the internal market, with particular focus on the remit of EU and national regulatory autonomy and general interests protection in the context of positive harmonisation. Through the lens of the directive, the study evaluates the status of EU integration and appraises the resilience of the internal market regulatory paradigm, including the interaction between primary and secondary law and the effectiveness of administrative law reinforcement, for the governance of the modern economy, as well as exploring more broadly the import and international influence of EU trade regulation. The book considers a variety of policy themes, including the relationship between national autonomy and supranational competence; the interaction of economic advancement and related general interests, such as environmental and consumer protection; market harmonisation techniques and enforcement challenges, along with potential mechanisms for regulatory enhancement. Discussing a central legal and economic framework for the regulation of trade in services, from regulatory, constitutional and policy perspectives, this book will be of significant interest to students, academics, practitioners and officials on European Union policy and law, as well as to anyone interested more generally in business regulation in evolving technological contexts, international trade law and comparative market integration themes.

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. The power of borders emerges not only from their institutional and legal nature but also from their symbolic and identity-forming significance. This innovative Research Agenda uncovers links between different levels of border-making processes, or bordering, from the political to the cognitive, and connects everyday processes and experiences of border-making to the wider social world. Grounded in their original research, contributors offer a variety of discussions on future directions for border studies, including two areas which may prove particularly fruitful; firstly, the question of the broader political salience of borders and secondly, the ways in which the border studies paradigm increasingly connects ontological and ethical questions to processes of border-making. Taken together, these address the question of how everyday bordering practices and discourses can be productively linked to different aspects of social relations. This timely book will be an invigorating read for those studying borders across a wide range of disciplines including human geography, political science, sociology, anthropology, history, international law as well as the humanities, notably art, media studies and philosophy.

Concerns about the position and function of nation-states in the international arena have led to a growing interest in the role of cities in international relations. This timely book advances the argument that cities are becoming active and informal actors in international law-making, indicating the emergence of a 'third generation' of multi-level governance. Expansive in scope, the book investigates various areas of city cooperation such as the economy, migration, security, sustainable development, ecology, and the position of cities in international law. Interviews conducted with the official representatives of several cities and international institutions, including UN-Habitat, the EU Committee of the Regions, and the Congress for Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, offer key insights into the most pressing urban issues of the 21st century. Examining the latest information on the international activities of cities, this engaging book explores the possibility that cities may soon reach the level of international subjects, capable of both implementing and creating international law. Contributing to the under-represented literature on the evolving function of cities in the modern world, this prescient book will be of interest to academics and students of urban studies, international relations, political science, and international law. City authorities dealing with international cooperation will benefit from its consideration of further development opportunities.

In an era of turbulent ocean geopolitics, where environmental concerns and resource extraction are increasing interest in who owns what at sea, this timely book examines the international politics involved in how states delineate ownership and rights in the ocean. Analysing why some states settle their maritime boundary disputes and why others erupt into conflict, Andreas Osthagen uses the innovative approach of combining international law and international relations theory to examine four countries and their maritime disputes: Australia, Canada, Colombia and Norway. With a focus on marine resources, chapters unpack the dispute dynamics concerning offshore oil and gas, fisheries, and strategic security concerns. Through an examination of what led these states to settle their disputes, this innovative book delineates the wider political and legal factors behind boundary-making at sea and aims to improve the way that society resolves ocean conflicts. Navigating the complexities of international law and conflict resolution at sea, this book will prove a thought-provoking read for students and scholars of geopolitics and law. With ocean-governance an increasingly pressing matter on the political agenda of international negotiations such as UN Climate Change conferences, it will also prove an informative resource for officials engaged in ocean affairs, geopolitics, and the law of the sea.

Exploring how changes in advanced technology deeply affect international politics, this book theoretically engages with the overriding relevance of investments in technological research, and the ways in which they directly foster a country's economic and military standing. Scholars and practitioners present important insights on the technical and social issues at the core of technology competition. Technology and International Relations emphasizes the importance of leadership styles, domestic political agendas and the relative weight of technologically driven countries in global affairs. It highlights the now widely shared belief among both developed and developing countries that technology will be the defining factor in international politics. The book also unpacks the complexity of real-life cases of key technological advances, including artificial intelligence, UAVs, satellites and the responses of governments and the private sector to rising technological challenges. This will be an important read for scholars of political science, international relations and international political economy, particularly those looking at the impact of technology and innovation.

International Law provides a comprehensive theoretical examination of the key areas of international law. In addition to classic cases and materials, Carlo Focarelli addresses the latest relevant international practice to illustrate contemporary themes and trends in international law and to examine its most topical challenges. The key features of this textbook include: A unitary - 'systemic' and 'realist-constructivist' theoretical illustration of international law, essential to an understanding of how international law works in practice and can, or should be changed A clear logical structure and thorough cross-referencing, for accessible, systemic and consistent learning Up-to-date bibliographies at the end of each chapter and academic commentary on the very latest cases, covering all aspects of international law. Insightful and topical, this textbook will be an invaluable teaching resource for students of law, political science, and international relations. 'Carlo Focarelli's textbook aims to achieve theoretical cohesiveness about international law as a system and yet at the same time emphasises the importance of state practice, not just the practice of courts but also diplomatic practice more widely. What is particularly welcome is the book's aim to familiarise readers outside Italy with international legal thinking and state practice from an important European country that for centuries has been a significant contributor to the discourse of international law. This unique approach reflects well the contemporary trend for studying international law from comparative perspectives and will make the book a valuable read for students interested in international law.' - Lauri Malksoo, University of Tartu, Estonia

New technological innovations have given birth to paradigms such as robotization, increased and advanced mechanization, and dehumanization of public diplomacy around the world. Other related developments have been the acceleration and growing popularization of the smart city concept as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, which have all combined to compel almost all major industries-including diplomacy-to shift online and to be revolutionized. The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Digitalization of Diplomacy explores the influences of the new ICTs, AI, and smart cultures on the conduct of public diplomacy. It further examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the conduct of digital diplomacy in the world and analyzes the implications of the dynamics of ICTs and AI for teaching and research in digital diplomacy. Covering topics such as defense diplomacy, the fourth industrial revolution, and technological determinism, this premier reference source is an essential resource for diplomats, politicians, government officials, ICT developers, students and educators of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

Addressing the growing economic, political, and cultural presence of Asian states in the Arctic region, this timely book looks at how that presence is being evaluated and engaged with by Arctic states and their northern communities. A diverse range of authors addresses the question that underpins so much of this interest in Asian engagement with the northern latitudes: what do Asian countries want to gain from the Arctic? Although China, Japan, India, Singapore and South Korea were only accepted as formal observers to the Arctic Council in 2013, this book outlines a longer history of Asian-Arctic engagement that spans centuries. It highlights how this role as observer generates new challenges, dangers and opportunities for Arctic states and their northern communities. Climate change, energy and other resources such as fish, global geopolitical change and northern autonomy are shown to all play a part in mediating how Asian states are observed and evaluated in the Arctic Council and beyond. Students of Asian and Arctic studies will find the exploration of the roots of religion, culture and trade in the long-standing Asian interest in the Arctic to be compelling. This will also be a beneficial read particularly for scholars in geopolitics, international relations and political science as it shows how an intergovernmental forum can have global, national and local impacts. Contributors include: M.M. Bennett, S. Chaturvedi, K. Dodds, N. Filimonova, N. Hong, S. Knecht, N. Liu, I.A. Medby, Y.-K. Park, U. Sinha, C.Y. Woon

Preface by Anton Hemerijck, Professor of Political Science and Sociology, European University Institute, Florence, Italy While for some scholars the Euro crisis dashed the dream of Social Europe, this thought-provoking book proposes a more nuanced assessment, challenging the notion of austerity as the only way forward. Tracing the evolution of the political debate on European social integration and its interplay with the European economic governance after the Euro crisis, it sheds light on the conflict dynamics and political conditions that enabled the progressive shift away from the initial post-crisis EU 'conservative reflex', towards a new European holding environment for flourishing welfare states. This timely book provides a detailed reconstruction of the European social agenda after the Great Recession, touching upon budgetary, legislative and coordinative policies and including an in-depth analysis of the EU response to the Covid-19 crisis. Utilising innovative approaches and methodology, Francesco Corti identifies four lines of functional and territorial conflict which characterise the debate on EU social integration. An original focus on the role of the European Parliament in fostering further social integration gives the book an original and insightful perspective. The Politicisation of Social Europe will be a key resource for students and scholars of European politics, political sociology and welfare states, as well as EU officials and policy makers seeking to identify strategies that can facilitate them in pursuing a successful social agenda.

This comprehensive and essential Commentary examines both the origins and effect of the EU's 2015 Payment Services Directive (PSD2). Addressing a significant gap in the available literature, the book is divided into two parts: Part I analyses the legislative provisions of the Directive, while Part II explores the PSD2 implementation experience in selected EU Member States as well as in the United Kingdom.

This comprehensive textbook provides a thorough guide to the economic analysis of law, with a particular focus on civil law systems. It encapsulates a structured analysis and nuanced evaluation of norms and legal policies, using the tools of economic theory. Key features include: Examples and cases that illustrate central concepts of the economic analysis of law in relation to civil law doctrines Examination of the core areas of civil law: tort law, contract law, property law, intellectual property law as well as basic problems of insolvency law and corporate law In-depth analysis of the legal rules of statutory law and judge-made law, demonstrating the extent to which these rules are either based on economic criteria or run parallel to them - and the extent to which such criteria facilitate the application and further development of law. This substantially revised second edition presents the latest insights into legal economic research, including important empirical and behavioural deliberations. It will be a valuable guide for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students of law and economics.

Challenges the mainstream understanding of BRICS and US dominance to situate the new global rivalries engulfing capitalism.

BRICS is a grouping of the five major emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Volume five in the Democratic Marxism series, BRICS and the New American Imperialism challenges the mainstream understanding of BRICS and US dominance to situate the new global rivalries engulfing capitalism. It offers novel analyses of BRICS in the context of increasing US induced imperial chaos, deepening environmental crisis tendencies (such as climate change and water scarcity), contradictory dynamics inside BRICS countries and growing subaltern resistance.

The authors revisit contemporary thinking on imperialism and anti-imperialism, drawing on the work of Rosa Luxemburg, one of the leading theorists after Marx, who attempted to understand the expansionary nature of capitalism from the heartlands to the peripheries. The richness of Luxemburg’s pioneering work inspires most of the volume’s contributors in their analyses of the dangerous contradictions of the contemporary world as well as forms of democratic agency advancing resistance.

While various forms of resistance are highlighted, among them water protests, mass worker strikes, anti-corporate campaigning and forms of cultural critique, this volume grapples with the challenge of renewing anti-imperialism beyond the NGO-driven World Social Forum and considers the prospects of a new horizontal political vessel to build global convergence. It also explores the prospects of a Fifth International of Peoples and Workers.

Current conceptions of mediation can often fail to capture the complexity and intricacy of modern conflicts. This Research Handbook addresses this problem by presenting the leading expert opinions on international mediation, examining how international mediation practices, mechanisms and institutions should adapt to the changing characteristics of contemporary international crises. Chapters consider the challenges facing the international community when aiming to achieve lasting resolutions in intrastate and interstate conflicts during acute periods of crisis and potential or actual violence escalation. The authors also provide much-needed context for 'gray zone conflict', the actions of non-state actors, gender dynamics and biases that hinder mediation. The ever-expanding role of mediation means authors also cover human security, climate diplomacy and cyber disputes. Using extensive analysis of salient cases as well as quantitative studies of aggregate trends, this Research Handbook is the vital reference work for mediation in contemporary international politics. The concluding chapter explores the overarching themes and key policy recommendations from the leading voices in mediation. An essential reference for postgraduate researchers of international politics, this Research Handbook provides both quantitative and qualitative analysis to further case knowledge for research. In addition, the case studies and concluding chapter will be a much-needed resource for policymakers and practitioners in defence policy and peace advocacy due to their emphasis on lessons learned and best practice. Contributors include: P. Aall, Z. Bakaki, J.A. Bangerter, M. Barrett, K. Beardsley, D. Belo, T. Boehmelt, A. Boutellis, M. Brecher, D. Carment, A.B. Celik, K. Christie, C.A. Crocker, D.E. Cunningham, K. DeRouen Jr., P.F. Diehl, Y. Duman, S.S. Gartner, M. Gelfand, S. Gent, Z. Goncz, J.M. Greig, F.O. Hampson, E. Hoffman, P.T. Hopmann, L. Hultman, L. Kemp, R.C. Maness, M.M. Melin, E.J. Menninga, M. Nikolko, P. Olander, A.P. Owsiak, D. Quinn, L. Reid, M. Sarver, N. Schreffler, J.A. Stevenson, I. Svensson, B. Valeriano, S. Vukovic, P.B. White, J. Wilkenfeld, M.-J. Zahar, I.W. Zartman

Why our democracies need urgent reform, before it's too late A generation after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the world is once again on the edge of chaos. Demonstrations have broken out from Belgium to Brazil led by angry citizens demanding a greater say in their political and economic future, better education, heathcare and living standards. The bottom line of this outrage is the same; people are demanding their governments do more to improve their lives faster, something which policymakers are unable to deliver under conditions of anaemic growth. Rising income inequality and a stagnant economy are threats to both the developed and the developing world, and leaders can no longer afford to ignore this gathering storm. In Edge of Chaos, Dambisa Moyo sets out the new political and economic challenges facing the world, and the specific, radical solutions needed to resolve these issues and reignite global growth. Dambisa enumerates the four headwinds of demographics, inequality, commodity scarcity and technological innovation that are driving social and economic unrest, and argues for a fundamental retooling of democratic capitalism to address current problems and deliver better outcomes in the future. In the twenty-first century, a crisis in one country can quickly become our own, and fragile economies produce a fragile international community. Edge of Chaos is a warning for advanced and emerging nations alike: we must reverse the dramatic erosion in growth, or face the consequences of a fragmented and unstable global future.

The launching of economic and political reforms in 1978 has transformed China's standing in world politics. A new power has emerged. Yet, after more than four decades, the question of how to understand and interpret China's foreign policy remains a source of debate and contention. Nicholas Khoo examines China's arrival as a major power in contemporary world politics, making the case for a neorealist model highlighting the operation of state interests and relative power. He illuminates the relevance of economic and military power projection, spiral dynamics, and the use of wedge strategies to split adversaries. Khoo also reviews influential alternative theories of Chinese foreign policy that emphasize the concepts of trade, identity, socialization, domestic politics, and the security dilemma. Presenting readers with an analysis of the major issues and theoretical debates on China's role in bringing the Cold War to a close in East Asia, and its relations with the US and Japan, China's Foreign Policy since 1978 will be of great interest to university students at all levels, as well as specialists on Chinese foreign policy, East Asian international relations, and international security.

The story of the British Empire at its maximum territorial extent.

On Saturday 29 September 1923, the Palestine Mandate became law and the British Empire now covered a scarcely credible quarter of the world's land mass, containing 460 million people. It was the largest empire the world had ever seen. But it was beset by debt and doubts.

This book is a new way of looking at the British Empire. It immerses the reader in the contemporary moment, focusing on particular people and stories from that day, gleaned from newspapers, letters, diaries, official documents, magazines, films and novels: from a remote Pacific island facing the removal of its entire soil, across Australia, Burma, India and Kenya to London and the West Indies.

In some ways, the issues of a hundred years ago are with us still: debates around cultural and ethnic identity in a globalised world; how to manage multi-ethnic political entities; racism; the divisive co-opting of religion for political purposes; the dangers of ignorance. In others, it is totally alien. What remains extraordinary is the Empire's ability to reveal the most compelling human stories. Never before has there been a book which contains such a wide spread of vivid experiences from both colonised and coloniser: from the grandest governors to the humblest migrants, policemen and nurses.

Drawing together international experts on research methods in International Relations (IR), this Handbook answers the complex practical questions for those approaching a new research topic for the first time. Innovative in its approach, it considers the art of IR research as well as the science, offering diverse perspectives on current research methods and emerging developments in the field. Empirical chapters are split into five distinct parts guiding the reader through the research process, covering the key topics including scope and methods, concepts, data and techniques and tools and applications. Highlighting the wide-ranging differences in the topic, the illustrative case studies and research models also provide guidance on how and when to use these tools, including how to evaluate research at the start and end of projects. Furthermore, it examines how to publish research and provides advice on how to manage a research team. This informative read will provide an excellent resource for established researchers taking on new projects, rethinking their approach to IR or those interested in learning new methods. Students and scholars of international politics and public policy as well as social scientists will also find this illuminating and instructive.

This incisive book provides an unparalleled insight into the ways in which international human rights law functions in a real world context across cultural, religious and geopolitical divides. Written by a professor, former ambassador and international judge, the book demonstrates how power, diplomacy, tactics and processes operate within the human rights system from the perspective of a non-Western insider with more than three decades' experience in the field. Taking a comprehensive approach, chapters cover the treatment of human rights in all major cultures, religions, ideologies and global regions and assess the competence of all relevant international institutions. The book investigates the idea of human rights relativism and allegations of hypocrisy and double standards, as well as illuminating the diplomatic methods employed by nations wishing to evade human rights obligations. It also analyses the place of the law within the United Nations and regional human rights systems, along with compliance and enforcement mechanisms, and examines two emerging dimensions of human rights: in cyberspace and at sea. Students and scholars of human rights across the fields of law, politics and international relations will find this unique book invaluable. Its concise, accessible style will also make it useful reading for government officials, those working for NGOs and members of the public with an interest in human rights.

Discussing the ongoing and future challenges of EU Cohesion Policy, this book critically addresses the economic, social and territorial challenges at the heart of the EU's policy. It identifies the multifaceted and dynamic nature of the policy as well as the interlinkage with other policies and considers unresolved questions of strategic importance in territorial governance, urban and regional inequalities, and social aspects and well-being. Interdisciplinary perspectives offer well-founded historical views, conceptual thoughts, policy insights and empirical analyses of EU Cohesion Policy, exploring under-represented territorial and spatial perspectives. Fostering a long term, visionary debate, the book looks into the controversial aspects of the policy. It concludes with a rich synthesis of the debate, emphasising three key concerns: disintegration as an alternative to the eroding idea of greater European integration; the discontent of cities and regions due to widening inequalities; and the discretion of member states which prevents the EU from engaging more deeply with social issues. With commentaries on each of the key areas provided by top scholars, this book will be an invigorating read for EU policy makers keen to gain a more critical understanding of key issues around territorial, social and economic cohesion. It will also be an insightful read for economic geography, spatial planning, political science, international relations, European studies and social science scholars in general.

This cutting-edge book explores the practices and socialization of the everyday foreign policy making in the European Union (EU), focusing on the individuals who shape and implement the Common Foreign and Security Policy despite a growing dissension among member states. The authors provide theoretically informed analyses based on up-to-date empirical material from the Political and Security Committee, Council working groups, the European External Action Service, EU delegations, military and civilian missions and operations and EU member state embassies. They illustrate the ways in which European foreign policy is shaped through the daily work of diplomats, exploring the communities of practice that are formed in the process of policy-making in the EU. Combining socialization and practice approaches, the book offers an innovative take on the motivations behind integration at a time of European discord. Providing a unique inside account of diplomatic practices and the coordination of EU foreign policy, this insightful book is crucial reading for students of political science and international relations at all levels seeking to better understand the minutiae of formulating and coordinating EU foreign and security policy. Its empirical analyses will also benefit scholars and researchers interested in European integration and socialization in international organizations, as well as practitioners, such as diplomats and European civil servants.