This wide-ranging, historically informed study examines the career of the culture concept and related notions of context in comparative and international politics, tracing connections through the disciplines of anthropology and history as well as through issues in nationalism and democracy.

International relations emerged as a distinct academic discipline in the early twentieth century, but its philosophic foundations draw on centuries of thinking about human nature, power and authority, justice and injustice, the idea of sovereignty and the implications for relations within and between political communities. The historic sources of these ideas appear to draw largely on European or Western experiences but, as this book shows, influences have emanated from much further afield, while contemporary thought is becoming more open to insights from non-Western sources. In this fully updated and expanded fourth edition of her popular text, Stephanie Lawson retains a broad world historical and contextual approach to the central themes and theoretical perspectives in IR, while also addressing the most pressing issues facing the world today. Topics covered include the emergence of states and empires, theories ranging from classical realism and liberalism to postcolonial and green theory, twentieth-century international history, security and insecurity, global governance and world order, international political economy and the prospects for a ‘post-international’ world in an era that has seen both deepening globalization and accompanying challenges to the sovereign state, as well as the reassertion of nationalist ideas around the world. With a range of additional pedagogical features to assist learning and class discussion, this lively and accessible text is an ideal primer for beginner and intermediate students alike.

The many points of contact and conflict about culture and identity that exist between Europe and the Asia Pacific are highlighted in this book. This work surveys a variety of issues relating to culture, identity and representation from an interdisciplinary perspective, with contributions from sociology, economics, history, politics, international relations, security studies, museum studies, translation studies and literary and cultural studies. Each brings a different perspective to bear on questions of culture and identity in the contemporary period, and how these relate to the politics of representation.

The many points of contact and conflict about culture and identity that exist between Europe and the Asia Pacific are highlighted in this book. This work surveys a variety of issues relating to culture, identity and representation from an interdisciplinary perspective, with contributions from sociology, economics, history, politics, international relations, security studies, museum studies, translation studies and literary and cultural studies. Each brings a different perspective to bear on questions of culture and identity in the contemporary period, and how these relate to the politics of representation.

International relations emerged as a distinct academic discipline in the early twentieth century, but its philosophic foundations draw on centuries of thinking about human nature, power and authority, justice and injustice, the idea of sovereignty and the implications for relations within and between political communities. The historic sources of these ideas appear to draw largely on European or Western experiences but, as this book shows, influences have emanated from much further afield, while contemporary thought is becoming more open to insights from non-Western sources. In this fully updated and expanded fourth edition of her popular text, Stephanie Lawson retains a broad world historical and contextual approach to the central themes and theoretical perspectives in IR, while also addressing the most pressing issues facing the world today. Topics covered include the emergence of states and empires, theories ranging from classical realism and liberalism to postcolonial and green theory, twentieth-century international history, security and insecurity, global governance and world order, international political economy and the prospects for a ‘post-international’ world in an era that has seen both deepening globalization and accompanying challenges to the sovereign state, as well as the reassertion of nationalist ideas around the world. With a range of additional pedagogical features to assist learning and class discussion, this lively and accessible text is an ideal primer for beginner and intermediate students alike.

This wide-ranging, historically informed study examines the career of the culture concept and related notions of context in comparative and international politics, tracing connections through the disciplines of anthropology and history as well as through issues in nationalism and democracy.

Global Politics is a concise and engaging introduction to international relations. In it, Stephanie Lawson introduces the key theories and concepts underpinning the discipline, giving readers a foundation to study politics on both a personal and global scale, including issues relating to gender, sexuality, and ethnicity, as well as the economy, environment, and concepts of justice. The textbook presents theories in their historical context, demonstrating how they can evolve over time. Case studies, both contemporary and historical, and biographies of key figures, help bring these issues to life. Additional features, such as key debates and summary questions, provide opportunities to analyse issues from a range of perspectives. Digital formats and resources Global Politics is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats, and is supported by online resources. The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks The online resources include: For Students: - Multiple choice questions test your knowledge of the chapters and provide instant feedback - Extended case studies demonstrate theory in practice - Videos illustrate contemporary issues in International Relations For Lecturers: - Customisable PowerPoint slides support effective teaching preparation

Combining theory, comparative politics, and international relations ntroduction to Politics 5e, provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject for first year undergraduate students. As the only introductory text to cover both comparative politics and international relations, it is the most authoritative and global introductory politics textbook on the market. Written by three experts in the field, this book takes a balanced approach to the subject, serving as a strong foundation for further study. Assuming no prior knowledge, the authors use an accessible yet analytical approach which encourages critical analysis and debate, helping students to develop the skills that will be vital to their future studies and employment. The new edition has been fully updated with additional up-to-date case studies and examples to help students relate their studies to real-world events. The fifth edition includes coverage of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on global politics; provides an overview of Russia's imperial history, and the political economy of sanctions; a new section on decolonising political thinking; and additional examples from Non-Western settings throughout the text. This ensures that ntroduction to Politics 5e is the most comprehensive, global, and essential guide for students new to the study of Politics. The fifth edition includes a wealth of embedded digital resources, which are accessible through the enhanced e-book. These include: - Multiple-choice questions for every section, designed to reinforce your understanding of key points through frequent and cumulative revision, and to assist with independent self-study - Political scenarios which encourage you to apply your learning to a practical case to see how the content of the text can be reflected in real life. - A library of web links to relevant blogs, debates, and videos, to help explore your research interests and take your learning further - Videos of news reports, speeches, analysis, and key events help bring theories and concepts to life, exploring issues such as 'are Western values still relevant?' and 'Will China Become the Centre of the World Economy?' - An interactive flashcard glossary to test your knowledge and understanding of each chapter's key terms Teaching resources for adopting lecturers include: - Customisable PowerPoint slides that can be adapted for use in lectures - Discussion questions that lecturers can use to engage their students, based on the content of each chapter - A bank of questions for lecturers to use to test students' understanding of key concepts covered in the chapters

In 1987 two military coups in Fiji undermined institutions previously thought to be democratic in character. The coup leader, Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, claimed that the coups were necessary in order to protect the rights of indigenous Fijians against the demands of the large Indian community. Combining the techniques of the historian, the anthropologist, and the political theorist, Stephanie Lawson discusses the contemporary political situation in Fiji from both a historical and a theoretical viewpoint, and tracing the sources of the current divisions in Fiji to the well-intentioned, but in the end misguided, ambitions of colonial administrators to protect the way of life of indigenous Fijians. Dr Lawson's analysis reveals many ironies. The very presence in Fiji of a large Indian community, now made a scapegoat by the coup leaders, is a result of the desire of colonial administrators to avoid forcing the indigenous population to become landless labourers, while at the same time securing a source of labour for a plantation-based agricultural system. She argues that post-colonial political institutions, themselves shaped by generations of colonial administrators, exacerbated and possibly created the very tensions between the indigenous population and Indians that they were designed to temper. Dr Lawson demonstrates why race was never really an issue in recent events but why Rabuka could plausibly claim that it was. She comes to the provocative but convincing conclusion that Fiji has never really been a democracy in the Western sense of the word.

With an unrivalled combination of exceptional clarity and intelligent analysis, Politics is the perfect introduction to political studies. Written especially for undergraduate students, this is the only introduction to politics to combine genuine accessibility and an analytical approach, encouraging critical study and engaged debate right from the outset of a university course. Alongside comprehensive coverage of concepts, approaches, and ideologies, the book features chapters on all crucial elements of political studies, from institutions and states to security, political economy, civil society and the media, making it an ideal text for a broad range of modules. Current debates and key developments in contemporary politics are taken into account, with coverage of the rise of populism, Brexit, and the Trump presidency, as well as a broad range of international case studies and examples. Politics also features a lively and accessible design and a range of helpful learning features throughout, including key points, case studies, key debates, key thinkers, key quotes, and questions. The book is also fully supported by online resources to help students take their learning further. For students: - Test your knowledge of the chapters and receive instant feedback with online multiple choice questions. - Take your learning further with relevant web links to reliable online content. - Revise key terms and concepts from the text with a digital flashcard glossary. - Learn more about key thinkers' ideas and backgrounds. For registered lecturers: - Reinforce key themes from each chapter with suggested seminar and essay questions. - Incorporate active learning into your seminars with political scenarios, discussion questions, and teaching notes. - Use the adaptable PowerPoint slides as the basis for lecture presentations or as hand-outs in class. - Assess students' learning with a ready-made test bank, which can be customized to suit your needs.

Much literature on non-Western traditions celebrates the renaissance of indigenous cultures. Others have been more critical of this renaissance, especially with respect to its political implications. This study analyses the assertion of 'tradition' by indigenous elites, looking especially at the way it is used to differentiate 'the West' from the 'non-West'. This is important to contemporary discussion about the validity of democracy outside the West and problems concerning universalism and relativism. The discussion of Fiji focuses on constitutional development and the traditionalist emphasis on chiefly legitimacy. The rise of the Pro-Democracy Movement in Tonga is considered against the background of a conservative political order that has so far resisted pressure for reform. The move to universal suffrage in Western Samoa is seen not as a rejection of traditional ways in favour of democratic norms, but as a means of preserving important aspects of traditional culture.

This study analyzes the ways in which political elites use the idea of "tradition" to legitimize certain practices and institutions. Within this framework, case studies focus on constitutional development and the chiefly power in Fiji, the monarchy and the Pro-Democracy Movement in Tonga, and the political issues surrounding the move to universal suffrage in Western Samoa. The book provides a critical approach to the political implications of romanticizing non-Western cultural traditions, especially in terms of democratic development.