International Cooperation Against All Odds: The Ultrasocial World

The book "International Cooperation Against All Odds: The Ultrasocial World" challenges the traditional view of international relations as primarily driven by conflict and power by highlighting the biological predisposition of humans to be ultrasocial. It demonstrates how this predisposition has led to significant breakthroughs in peaceful cooperation and the decline of violence. Through original research on various topics, the book shows how ultrasociality works in different contexts and offers a roadmap to promote more international cooperation for a more stable and peaceful world order.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 03 November 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Ultrasocial World presents a groundbreaking perspective on international relations by delving into the influence of human evolutionary tendencies towards ultrasocial behavior on the global success, transformation, manipulation, and inspiration of political ideas. In a context where pessimism about our current global order reaches unprecedented levels, this book challenges prevailing notions that international relations revolve solely around conflict, power, and national self-interest. Recent scientific discoveries have revealed that as a species, we are biologically predisposed to exhibit other-regarding and cooperative behaviors. Despite this inherent ultrasocial nature, governments worldwide have largely overlooked this aspect in their policies. Political leaders, experts, and the media have fostered a narrow view of global conflict, perpetuating an obsession with immediate crises while disregarding the prevalence and significance of peaceful cooperation and overall trends in declining violence.

This book aims to rectify this oversight by showcasing how our ultrasocial predisposition has consistently driven us towards transformative ideas that unite and inspire us around the boundless possibilities of the world. Through extensive original research on international cooperation in various domains, including outer-space exploration, European Union integration, nuclear weapons, and climate change, Mai a K. Davis Cross demonstrates the tangible manifestation of ultrasociality in diverse contexts. By tracing the path from social neuroscience and evolutionary biology to the power of ideas in shaping international agreements, International Cooperation Against All Odds offers a fresh and comprehensive understanding of world politics. By embracing our species nature and recognizing the immense potential we possess to work together, we can foster a more harmonious and prosperous global community.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198894995