The idea that world politics can be understood in terms of a US dominated unipolarity became generally accepted during the 1990s. Following the September 11 attacks, however, US foreign policy took an imperial turn and many began to question the form, style and substance of US leadership at the start of the 21st Century. But why is the US behaving as if it lived in a world of enemies? What can other great powers do to change the behaviour of the US, and what will be the consequences if they fail? Could the EU and China become superpowers alongside the US? And what would happen if the US stepped down from its superpowers role creating a world with only great powers and superpowers? In this important new book, Barry Buzan seeks to provide answers to these pressing questions. He begins by introducing the core concepts of polarity and identity in world politics, which he uses to develop three possible scenarios for the future development of the international political system. Buzan contends that we are t living in a strictly unipolar world, where the great powers are helpless in the face of the US. Instead he argues that the existence of great powers alongside an American superpower plays a crucial role in creating both opportunities and responsibilities which will shape the way in which world politics unfolds in the coming decades. What the great powers do or dona t do will be crucial to how long US dominance lasts. It will also help determine whether the period of American hegemony will develop or destroy the unique multilateral international society built up by US foreign policy over the last half century.
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Polity Press
ISBN-10
0745633757
ISBN-13
9780745633756
eBay Product ID (ePID)
96511114
Product Key Features
Author
Barry Buzan
Format
Paperback
Language
English
Subject
International Relations
Type
Textbook
Dimensions
Weight
368g
Height
228mm
Width
153mm
Additional Product Features
Place of Publication
Oxford
Spine
19mm
Content Note
0
Author Biography
Barry Buzan is Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Date of Publication
27/08/2004
Country of Publication
United Kingdom
Genre
International Relations
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