International Relations in the Anthropocene: New Agendas, New Agencies and New Approaches

This textbook explores the impact of the Anthropocene on global politics and International Relations, offering insights into challenges to traditional security approaches, governance, and agency. It contains 24 chapters authored by senior academics and early career scholars and is divided into four parts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 483 pages
Publication date: 21 April 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive textbook delves into the profound implications of the Anthropocene on the study of global politics and the disciplinary foundations of International Relations (IR). Written for advanced students and scholars in the field, the book comprises 24 chapters, authored by esteemed senior academics and early career scholars. It is meticulously divided into four parts, each exploring different aspects of the Anthropocene's significance to IR.

Part I: Why the Anthropocene Matters to IR
In the first part, the book delves into the reasons why the Anthropocene has emerged as a critical lens through which to understand global politics. It explores the geological, ecological, and social factors that have shaped the human-environmental relationship and led to the emergence of a new geological epoch. The authors examine how the Anthropocene challenges traditional approaches to security, such as the notion of deterrence and the balance of power, and highlights the need for a more holistic and interdisciplinary understanding of security.

Part II: Challenges to Traditional Approaches to Security
In the second part, the book addresses the challenges posed by the Anthropocene to traditional approaches to security. It examines how climate change, resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and population growth intersect to create complex security dilemmas. The authors explore how these challenges undermine the stability of states, regions, and the global system, and propose new frameworks and strategies for addressing them.

Part III: Governance and Agency in the Anthropocene
In the third part, the book examines the question of governance and agency in the Anthropocene. It explores how the emergence of new actors, such as corporations, non-governmental organizations, and grassroots movements, has reshaped the landscape of global politics. The authors discuss how these actors are responding to the challenges of the Anthropocene and how they are shaping the development of new policies and institutions.

Part IV: New Methods and Approaches, Beyond the Human/Nature Divide
In the final part, the book presents new methods and approaches that go beyond the traditional human/nature divide. It explores how the Anthropocene can be used as a catalyst for interdisciplinary research and collaboration, and how it can inspire new ways of thinking about global politics and IR. The authors showcase examples of innovative research and policy interventions that are taking into account the complex interconnections between human and natural systems.

In conclusion, this textbook offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the ways in which the Anthropocene is shaping global politics and the disciplinary foundations of IR. It provides a valuable resource for advanced students, scholars, and policymakers seeking to understand the complex challenges and opportunities that arise in this new era. By integrating a range of perspectives and disciplines, the book offers a roadmap for building a more resilient and sustainable global system.

Weight: 756g
Dimension: 163 x 234 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030530136
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021