Post-Cold War Predictions: Politicism in Practice

Post-Cold War Predictions examines how the international order evolved after the collapse of the Soviet Union and before the attacks on 9/11, focusing on the ways we study and understand major powers' security behavior within the evolving multipolar order. It discusses the central importance of power in international relations and reinterprets the purpose of theory, preferring explanatory theories to those that aim to predict outcomes. It also introduces a new methodology for studying political science: Politicist analysis.

Format: Hardback
Length: 150 pages
Publication date: 20 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Post-Cold War Predictions delves into the intricate transformation of the international order following the collapse of the Soviet Union and preceding the events of 9/11. By examining the dynamics of major power security behavior within the evolving multipolar framework, the book offers a comprehensive analysis of the shifting paradigms in global politics.

Beginning with an overview of Post-Cold War literature, Kassab summarizes and evaluates influential Post-Cold War texts to better understand the scholarship's need to predict. He emphasizes the central role of power in international relations and highlights the centrality of international structures in shaping global dynamics. Kassab connects his findings to the broader structure-agent problem, reinforcing the interconnectedness of different factors in shaping international outcomes.

In his reinterpretation of the purpose of theory, Kassab advocates for explanatory theories over those that solely aim to predict outcomes. He argues that political ideas are developed and followed as if they were political ideologies, necessitating a methodology that delves into the historical context and development of political ideas. To achieve this, Kassab introduces the concept of "politicist analysis," which combines historical analysis with a focus on political ideologies.

Using concise jargon and providing clear definitions when necessary, Kassab's text is accessible to a wide audience, including students and scholars of international politics. It serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of the post-Cold War world and the challenges and opportunities it presents.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032732824