"This textbook shows how to think about international relations and offers insights into its most important theories and issues. Written from beyond the Anglo-US academic environment, with attention to regional nuances, it teaches students to perceive international politics in an organized and theoretical way, thus helping them grasp the complexity of the subject and see simple ways of making sense of it. Providing a thorough introduction to the main theories and approaches to international relations, the book covers the main dilemmas, concepts and methodological issues alongside a number of neglected theoretical paradigms such as institutionalism, Marxism, critical approaches, feminism and power in world politics. It will be of great use as a main textbook as well as a supplementary guide for related courses, including Foreign Policy Analysis, Conflict Studies, Security Studies, History of International Relations, International Organizations and Global Governance"--
"This textbook shows how to think about international relations and offers insights into its most important theories and issues. Written from beyond the Anglo-US academic environment, with attention to regional nuances, it teaches students to perceive international politics in an organized and theoretical way, thus helping them grasp the complexity of the subject and see simple ways of making sense of it. Providing a thorough introduction to the main theories and approaches to international relations, the book covers the main dilemmas, concepts and methodological issues alongside a number of neglected theoretical paradigms such as institutionalism, Marxism, critical approaches, feminism and power in world politics. It will be of great use as a main textbook as well as a supplementary guide for related courses, including Foreign Policy Analysis, Conflict Studies, Security Studies, History of International Relations, International Organizations and Global Governance"--
This paper examines three major theoretical frameworks to explain Russia's decision to invade Ukraine. It is argued that although the war caught many by surprise, it can still be explained by at least several International Relations theories. President Putin's decision may be erroneous but it should be treated as rational.
The purpose of this research is to suggest theoretical frameworks suitable for understanding and evaluating the key foreign policy and security decisions taken by the current Russian leadership. It is assumed that the moves and choices taken by the Kremlin, in particular on the eve of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, resulted from the way decision-makers had perceived the threats and options of the time. It is also assumed that International Relations as a scientific discipline has relevant explanations and frameworks for dealing even with such seemingly irrational decisions like the one taken before the invasion. Political leaders are not going mad; they rather act within specific environments framed by available information and some basic theoretical assumptions.
This article focuses on examining Russia's invasion of Ukraine through the lenses of security dilemma, rational decision-making and power transition process. The author argues that each of these approaches can provide a coherent explanation of a strategic logic behind the decision to wage war. Moreover, by using each of these instruments it may be possible to assess Russia's foreign and security policy beyond its Ukrainian direction, and also in a retrospect.
An interstate war in a modern world is assumed to bear extremely high costs and generate high risks. Because of that, wars are so rare. But this does not imply that wars are impossible. At different levels and under certain conditions, launching a war may still seem to be the best course of action, in particular for revisionist states, even if it a choice between the bad and the worst.
The article examines manifestations of China's rise and the attendant risks for the international security system.
The author draws on a set of key approaches to measuring state power in his analysis of China's hard and soft power as well as its structural capabilities. It has been demonstrated that China is closing the gap on the USA on key power indicators – the economic capabilities and military resources. However, a number of factors are slowing down its progress. With regard to the structural power, soft power and potential to engage allies the USA continues to hold significant advantages.
China's hegemonic aspirations bring about considerable structural transformations into international politics and impact international security. Redistribution of power and influence would reconfigure alliances, and impose new limitations on the actions and expectations of states. The rise of China and growing tensions between China and the USA would cause a complex and large-scale impact on the security of not only those two states, but the rest of the world as well. At both global and bilateral levels, security institutions and structures will undergo changes.
The rise of bipolarity will escalate the standoff. The USA and China may become hostages to Thucydides Trap, whereby steps to maximize one's security will lead to a greater threat – and eventually to a devastating conflict – as the other party will also try to reciprocate. China's rise may also pose a security dilemma for potential allies of both countries, weaken international institutions of cooperation and security, and engender a deep crisis of confidence.
Scenarios of how the system of international security could respond are examined from the perspective of a security dilemma, power transition theory, and hegemonic stability theory. While both theories view the situation as challenging, they differ in their analysis of the sources and scale of risks.
The article addresses causes, effects, and ways of managing the crisis in and over Ukraine, which started with uprisings in Kiev and continued with Russian annexation of the Crimea and triggering internal conflict in the Donbas. Regional implications of the Ukrainian crisis are specifically targeted, while broader consequences for European security are examined through a change of the security paradigm prism. ; Artykuł koncentruje się na przyczynach, konsekwencjach i koncepcjach zarządzania kryzysem na Ukrainie (i wokół Ukrainy), który rozpoczął się wraz z "rewolucją" w Kijowie i pogłębił po aneksji Krymu. Wpływ na ten kryzys ma także wywołany przez Rosję wewnętrzny konflikt w Donbasie. Tekst odnosi się głównie do regionalnych implikacji kryzysu ukraińskiego i jego konsekwencji dla bezpieczeństwa europejskiego, analizowanych przez pryzmat zmiany paradygmatu bezpieczeństwa. ; Статья фокусируется на причинах, последствиях и концепциях управления кризисом в Украине (и вокруг Украины), который начался вместе с «революцией» в Киеве и углубился после аннексии Крыма. На этот кризис повлиял также вызванный Россией внутренний конфликт на Донбассе. Текст относится преимущественно к региональным последствиям украинского кризиса и его влиянии на европейскую безопасность, анализированных через призму изменения парадигмы безопасности.
The article covers current Ukrainian crisis by exploring its sources, possible scenarios, and impact on regional security. The impact of the Russian factor before and during the crisis is given special attention. Transformations in general regional arrangements are assessed. A broader context, including possible challenges for the EU, is provided.
"This collection by leading scholars from the region explores the various crises affecting Ukraine since independence. Valuable crisis management research is made available from both Russian and Ukrainian sources and the on-going crisis in Ukraine put in context and analysed.This accessible volume interacts with many disciplines including political science, security studies, crisis management and communication studies; and should prove useful to both students and researchers"--
Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. In the decades between the end of the cold war and the crisis of 2014, the country suffered a large decline in agricultural and industrial production, plunging economic indicators into a sharp decline and leading to large-scale poverty and hardship. This collection by leading scholars from the region explores the various crises affecting Ukraine since independence. Valuable crisis management research is made available from both Russian and Ukrainian sources and the on-going crisis in Ukraine put in context and analysed. This accessible volume interacts with many disciplines including political science, security studies, crisis management and communication studies; and should prove useful to both students and researchers.
