Suchergebnisse

"The 1956 Suez Crisis as a Perfect Case for Crisis Research" published on by Oxford University Press.

"The Balance of Power in World Politics" published on by Oxford University Press.

This introduction to 12 essays on power relations & the balance of power in various nations or regions around the world notes that the findings run counter to the traditional theory that balance of power is the dominant pattern of state & interstate behavior. The forces that are changing international relations, primarily terrorism, are also changing traditional power politics. Some states are joining forces with each other against the threat of terrorism, while others are relying on international institutions to control the situation & to constrain the US war on terror policy. In the face of US global hegemony, each state seeks opportunistic strategies that will best ensure its own national security. While realism may explain much state behavior, it does not really capture contemporary international politics. J. Stanton

The volume's concluding chapter recaps major themes & issues arising from the question of whether major war is in decline. A chief conclusion from the contributions is that institutional & normative shifts matter. The process by which international law & norms have been institutionalized has altered international relations, perhaps permanently. It is obvious that international institutions & norms are not yet sufficiently potent to present an absolute deterrent to major war; it is just as obvious that the institutions of collective security & international law are not fail-safe. Yet international institutions have garnered new significance by establishing new normative standards & media for negotiation & communication. K. Coddon

Ralph Waldo Emerson's sentiment that "virtue is its own reward" is a favorite of many Canadians, but in terms of international relations & foreign policy, this is not the case. While Canada's moralizing reflects a generous value system that is enjoyed at home & genuinely wished for in other countries as well, this does not make it true. It is necessary to act, especially through alliances of like countries, to try to establish good value systems in countries where they do not exist. Long a question of Canadian public policy is how to usefully & peacefully share the experience of North America with its southern neighbors. It is contended that the only way to do so is in concert with the US, its more powerful neighbor. Canada's high ideals are shared by the US, but there are considerable differences in their ideas of how to extend them to others. To achieve this end, Canada must accept its responsibility to expend greater effort & money to the cause it shares with the US. Robert Kennedy once said "Canada has given us all support, short of help." Canada's goal for this new century should be to ensure that no one can make such a remark ever again. J. Stanton