Monographs
Ohnesorge, Hendrik (Hrsg.): Soft power and the future of US foreign policy
The volume explores the role of soft power in US foreign policy past, present and future. It addresses vital issue areas – including terrorism threats, foreign economic policy and cultural diplomacy – as well as crucial bilateral relations – including Sino-American, Russian-American and transatlantic. In so doing, it offers an assessment of Joe Biden’s first year in office as well as future perspectives and recommendations regarding the role of soft power in US foreign policy. The book is an essential and unique resource for understanding how soft power informs US foreign policy and diplomatic practice today and how it will continue to do so in the years to come.
The book features a foreword from Joseph Nye, the ‘father of soft power’, and articles from Michael F. Oppenheimer, Naren Chitty and Chenjun Wang, Taryn Shepperd, Alister Miskimmon, Ben O’Loughlin, Laura Roselle, and Faith Leslie, Nicholas J. Cull, Farah Pandith and Jacob Ware, Giulio M. Gallarotti, Eugenio Lilli and Christopher Painter, Carla Dirlikov Canales, John M. Owen, Nancy Snow and Liwen Zhang and Giles Scott-Smith.
Ohnesorge, Hendrik W. / Gu, Xuewu (Hrsg.): Weltpolitische Gestaltung in Zeiten von COVID-19. Zur Rolle von Persönlichkeit und Führungsstil in der Coronakrise Ohnesorge, Hendrik W. / Gu, Xuewu (Hrsg.): Weltpolitische Gestaltung in Zeiten von COVID-19. Zur Rolle von Persönlichkeit und Führungsstil in der Coronakrise
Der Sammelband untersucht den Umgang ausgewählter Nationalstaaten mit der globalen COVID-19-Pandemie unter Anwendung des personenbezogenen Ansatzes der Politikwissenschaft. Der Band geht dabei von der grundlegenden These aus, dass sich der Umgang mit der Krise in entscheidendem Maße auf die Persönlichkeit und den Führungsstil der jeweils an der Spitze stehenden politischen Entscheidungsträgerinnen und Entscheidungsträger zurückführen lässt. Zu diesem Zweck nehmen die einzelnen Beiträge des Bandes ausgewählte Persönlichkeiten der Weltpolitik in den Blick, um deren Entscheidungen und Handlungen in der Coronakrrise zu untersuchen.
Ohnesorge, Hendrik W. (Hrsg.): Macht und Machtverschiebung. Schlüsselphänomene internationaler Politik – Festschrift für Xuewu Gu zum 65. Geburtstag Ohnesorge, Hendrik W. (Hrsg.): Macht und Machtverschiebung. Schlüsselphänomene internationaler Politik – Festschrift für Xuewu Gu zum 65. Geburtstag
Ohnesorge, Hendrik W.: Soft Power: The Forces of Attraction in International Relations. Cham u.a.: Springer International, 2020. Ohnesorge, Hendrik W.: Soft Power: The Forces of Attraction in International Relations. Cham u.a.: Springer International, 2020.
This book explores the phenomenon of soft power in international relations. In the context of current discourses on power and global power shift s, it puts forward a comprehensive taxonomy of soft power and outlines a methodological roadmap for its empirical study. To that end, the book classifies soft power into distinct components – resources, instruments, reception, and outcomes – and identifies relevant indicators for each of these categories.Moreover, the book integrates previously neglected aspects into the concept of soft power, including the significance of (political) personalities. A broad range of historical examples is drawn upon to illustrate the effects of soft power in international relations in an innovative and analytically differentiated way. A central methodological contribution of this book consists in highlighting the value of comparative-historical analysis (CHA) as a promising approach for empirical analyses of the soft power of different actors on the international stage.By introducing a comprehensive taxonomy of soft power, the book offers an innovative and substantiated perspective on a pivotal phenomenon in today’s international relations. As the forces of attraction in world politics continue to gain in importance, it provides a valuable asset for a broad readership.
“In this important and thoughtful book, Hendrik Ohnesorge explains and advances our knowledge of the ways that soft power, public diplomacy, and charismatic personal diplomacy are shaping the international relations of our global information age.”
Joseph S. Nye, Jr., Harvard University and author of The Future of Power
“Soft power is a much-used term, almost a commonplace in current-day international relations. Yet its multiple dimensions are seldom explored, and its usefulness as a methodological tool rarely explained. This book covers these gaps with some skill. By introducing a four-level approach, focusing on resources, instruments, reception, and outcomes, Hendrik Ohnesorge has provided a critical guidebook for the analysis of soft power in IR.”
Giles Scott-Smith, Roosevelt Chair in New Diplomatic History, Leiden University
Ying, Huang: Die Chinapolitik der Bundesrepublik Deutschland nach der Wiedervereinigung. Ein Balanceakt zwischen Werten und Interessen Ying, Huang: Die Chinapolitik der Bundesrepublik Deutschland nach der Wiedervereinigung. Ein Balanceakt zwischen Werten und Interessen
Using the theory of neoliberalism, Ying Huang examines the leitmotifs of Germany’s China policy after reunification. The analysis shows that German China policy always represents a balancing act between value dominance and domination of interests. Helmut Kohl, Gerhard Schröder, and Angela Merkel have different ways of striking this balance, so that the preferences for a China policy are a product of strong actors at the national (Federal Government, Bundestag, interest groups) and international level (EU, USA, NGOs). The author explains the circumstances and reasons of the fluctuations and provides an intensive insight into the formulation and implementation of German policy on China.
Suchanek, Christiane: Digging into Chaos. Security Sector Reconstruction and State-Building in Afghanistan Suchanek, Christiane: Digging into Chaos. Security Sector Reconstruction and State-Building in Afghanistan
With the terrorist attacks of 9/11, international attention has shifted to Afghanistan. This event also marked the beginning of a fundamental transformation in the country: It was and is target of an enormous military campaign that toppled the Taliban in a “War on Terror”. With the previous government deposed, a new one had to be built. Guided by a multinational coalition, the Afghan state was quickly reformed, but instabilities and conflicts have not only been inherited but also unintentionally triggered. Even after more than 15 years of international intervention, neither peace nor political stability or security seem to have taken roots in the country. The book takes a closer look at the international state-building regime and evaluates the impact and outlook of such efforts in Afghanistan. In order to facilitate the analysis, the study concentrates on Security Sector Reform (SSR) with special emphasis on the reconstruction of the Afghan military and police. With this, the author presents critical insights into state-building prospects in Afghanistan and introduces an analytical approach that may also be transferred to other cases of state reconstruction.
Fels, Enrico: Shifting Power in Asia-Pacific? The Rise of China, Sino-US Competition and Regional Middle Power Allegiance
This book investigates whether a power shift has taken place in the Asia-Pacific region since the end of the Cold War. By systematically examining the development of power dynamics in Asia-Pacific, it challenges the notion that a wealthier and militarily more powerful China is automatically turning the regional tides in its favour. With a special emphasis on Sino-US competition, the book explores the alleged linkage between the regional distribution of relevant material and immaterial capabilities, national power and the much-cited regional power shift.
The book presents a novel concept for measuring power in international relations by outlining a composite index on aggregated power (CIAP) that includes 55 variables for 44 regional countries and covers a period of twenty years. Moreover, it develops a middle power theory that outlines the significance of middle powers in times of major power shifts. By addressing political, military and economic cooperation via a structured-focused comparison and by applying a comparative-historical analysis, the book analyses in depth the bilateral relations of six regional middle powers to Washington and Beijing.
Fels, Enrico, Vu, Truong-Minh (Eds.): Power Politics in Asia´s Contested Waters – Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea Fels, Enrico, Vu, Truong-Minh (Eds.): Power Politics in Asia´s Contested Waters – Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea
This volume offers a comprehensive and empirically rich analysis of regional maritime disputes in the South China Sea (SCS). By discussing important aspects of the rise of China’s maritime power, such as territorial disputes, altered perceptions of geo-politics and challenges to the US-led regional order, the authors demonstrate that a regional power shift is taking place in Asia-Pacific. The volume also provides in-depth discussions of the responses to Chinese actions by SCS claimants as well as by important non-claimant actors.
Pustovitovskij, Andrej: Strukturelle Kraft in Internationalen Beziehungen Ein Konzept der Macht in internationalen Verhandlungen Pustovitovskij, Andrej: Strukturelle Kraft in Internationalen Beziehungen Ein Konzept der Macht in internationalen Verhandlungen
Im Mittelpunkt des Buches steht der vom Autor entwickelte Ansatz der strukturellen Kraft als eine Antwort auf eine der entscheidenden Schwächen der politikwissenschaftlichen Machtforschung im Bereich der internationalen Beziehungen: das Fehlen kohärenter und gleichzeitig breit operationalisierbarer Machtkonzeptionen zur plausiblen Analyse der internationalen Verhandlungen. Von einer kritischen Bestandsaufnahme der realistischen, relationalen, behavioristischen und strukturellen Machtkonzepte ausgehend, wird der deduktiv entwickelte „synthetische“ Machtansatz in mehreren aktuellen Fallstudien auf den empirischen Prüfstand gestellt. Damit bietet der Autor ein in sich stimmiges, mit unterschiedlichen ontologischen Annahmen kombinierbares Werkzeug für die Analyse der Macht in internationalen Beziehungen.
Klieman (eds.): Great Powers and Geopolitics – Great Powers and Geopolitics International Affairs in a Rebalancing World Klieman (eds.): Great Powers and Geopolitics – Great Powers and Geopolitics International Affairs in a Rebalancing World
This book presents the theoretical-historical-comparative political framework needed to fully grasp the truly dynamic nature of 21st century global affairs. The author provides a realistic assessment of the shift from U.S predominance to a new mix of counterbalancing rival middle-tier and assertive regional powers, while highlighting those geopolitical zones of contention most critical for future international stability. The book will appeal to scholars and policy makers interested in understanding the contours of the emerging world order, and in identifying its principal shapers and leading political actors.
Kirchberger, Sarah: Assessing Chinas Naval Power Technological Innovation, Economic Constraints, and Strategic Implications Kirchberger, Sarah: Assessing Chinas Naval Power Technological Innovation, Economic Constraints, and Strategic Implications
This book analyzes the rise of China’s naval power and its possible strategic consequences from a wide variety of perspectives – technological, economic, and geostrategic – while employing a historical-comparative approach throughout. Since naval development requires huge financial resources and mostly takes place within the context of transnational industrial partnerships, this study also consciously adopts an industry perspective. The systemic problems involved in warship production and the associated material, financial, technological, and political requirements currently remain overlooked aspects in the case of China.
Drawing on first-hand working experience in the naval shipbuilding industry, the author provides transparent criteria for the evaluation of different naval technologies’ strategic value, which other researchers can draw upon as a basis for further research in such diverse fields as International Security Studies, Naval Warfare Studies, Chinese Studies, and International Relations.
Mayer / Carpes / Knoblich (eds.): The Global Politics of Science and Technology Vol. I and II Mayer / Carpes / Knoblich (eds.): The Global Politics of Science and Technology Vol. I and II
An increasing number of scholars have begun to see science and technology as relevant issues in international relations (IR), acknowledging the impact of material elements, technical instruments, and scientific practices on international security, statehood, and global governance. This two-volume collection brings the debate about science and technology to the center of international relations. It shows how integrating science and technology translates into novel analytical frameworks, conceptual approaches and empirical puzzles, and thereby offers a state-of-the-art review of various methodological and theoretical ways in which sciences and technologies matter for the study of international affairs and world politics. The authors not only offer a set of practical examples of research frameworks for experts and students alike, but also propose a conceptual space for interdisciplinary learning in order to improve our understanding of the global politics of science and technology.
This this first volume summarizes various time-tested approaches for studying the global politics of science and technology from an IR perspective. It also provides empirical, theoretical, and conceptual interventions from geography, history, innovation studies, and science and technology studies that indicate ways to enhance and rearticulate IR approaches. In addition, several interviews advance possibilities of multi-disciplinary collaboration.
The second volume raises a plethora of issue areas, actors, and cases under the umbrella notion techno-politics. Distinguishing between interactional and co-productive perspectives, it outlines a toolbox of analytical frameworks that transcend technological determinism and social constructivism.
Boening/Kremer/van Loon (eds.): Global Power Europe – Vol. 1 / Vol. 2 Boening/Kremer/van Loon (eds.): Global Power Europe – Vol. 1 / Vol. 2
This two-volume project provides a multi-sectoral perspective over the EUs external projections from traditional as well as critical theoretical and institutional perspectives, and is supported by numerous case studies covering the whole extent of the EUs external relations. The aim is to strive to present new approaches as well as detailed background studies in analyzing the EU as a global actor.
Volume 1: The first volume “Theoretical and Institutional Approaches to the EUs External Relations” addresses the EUs overall external post-Lisbon Treaty presence both globally and regionally (e.g. in its “neighborhood”), with a special emphasis on the EUs institutional framework. It also offers fresh and innovative theoretical approaches to understanding the EUs international position.
Volume 2: The second volume “Policies, Actions and Influence of the EUs External Relations”, examines in both quantitative and qualitative contributions the EUs international efficacy from a political, economic and social perspective based on a plethora of its engagements.
Kremer/Müller (eds.): Cyberspace and International Relations – Theory, Prospects and Challenges Kremer/Müller (eds.): Cyberspace and International Relations – Theory, Prospects and Challenges
Cyberspace is everywhere in today’s world and has significant implications not only for global economic activity, but also for international politics and transnational social relations. This compilation addresses for the first time the “cyberization” of international relations – the growing dependence of actors in IR on the infrastructure and instruments of the internet, and the penetration of cyberspace into all fields of their activities. The volume approaches this topical issue in a comprehensive and interdisciplinary fashion, bringing together scholars from disciplines such as IR, security studies, ICT studies and philosophy as well as experts from everyday cyber-practice.
In the first part, concepts and theories are presented to shed light on the relationship between cyberspace and international relations, discussing implications for the discipline and presenting fresh and innovative theoretical approaches.
Contributions in the second part focus on specific empirical fields of activity (security, economy, diplomacy, cultural activity, transnational communication, critical infrastructure, cyber espionage, social media, and more) and address emerging challenges and prospects for international politics and relations.
Fels/Kremer/Kronenberg (eds.): Power in the 21st Century – International Security and International Political Economy in a Changing World Fels/Kremer/Kronenberg (eds.): Power in the 21st Century – International Security and International Political Economy in a Changing World
The Center for Global Studies (CGS) is a research institution at the University of Bonn, Germany. One of our main aims is to systematically investigate the phenomenon of the contemporary global power shift among states and regions. The CGS seeks to expand and supplement existing research on power in times of globalization. Key interest is to identify sources of power in the 21st century, their respective mechanism as well as potential interdependencies among them. The concrete effects such shifts may have in terms of power politics remain an important empirical question.
To foster research on this question a book project is set up in order to bring together scholars working in the fields of IR, IPE, economics and security studies. Main aim of the book project is to collect innovative contributions with new ideas and theoretical approaches (enriched with empirical data) that can increase our understanding of power as well as shifts under the conditions of globalization. Contributions should thus not only reflect current theoretical debates on ‘power’ as well as ‘power shifts’ among entities, but go further in their assessments by presenting fresh insights into relevant aspects of international power in the 21st century as well as new methods of identifying power and its sources, solutions for measuring shifts as well as outlining potential implications and challenges.
Fels, Enrico: Assessing Eurasia’s Powerhouse – An Inquiry into the Nature of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Fels, Enrico: Assessing Eurasia’s Powerhouse – An Inquiry into the Nature of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Situated in what Sir Halford Mackinder has called the ‘Eurasian heartland’ the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) covers a region of utmost geopolitical importance. Central Asia is not only rich in resources, culture and history but also central to a struggle in which three major powers – China, Russia, and the United States – compete for strategic influence. Having both China and Russia as member states the SCO is currently the most important regional organisation in Central Asia and a cornerstone of Moscow’s and Beijing’s regional strategic policies.