This volume focuses on several theoretical topics in world politics and analyzes prominent cases of global conflicts and their potential peaceful resolution. It covers issues such as the multiplication of nation states in the era of globalization, failed peace policy concepts in the 20th century, and the question of who was to blame for the outbreak of the Great War. The author discusses three influential patterns of interpretation of international relations and global events: the conviction that war is eternally rooted in human nature and history, the renewed interest in geopolitical thought and the theory of a clash between the predominantly religious-based civilizations. Finally, individual conflicts, such as the rebellion in several Arab countries, the potential war of intervention against Iran, the Indo-Pakistani-Chinese entanglement in the disputes over Kashmir and the present war in Ukraine are examined in detail.

Autorentext

Studies in History, Political Science, Geography, and Pedagogics in Marburg/ Lahn, Berlin, Bratislava, 1974-1990 Research Director at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt, 1975-1993 Professor of Political Science and Political Sociology at the Goethe University of Frankfurt, 1993-2005 Chair/Professor of Political Science and Contemporary History at the University of Mannheim, Visiting Professor at the Universities of Copenhagen, Irvine, Cal., Vilnius, 1993-2009 Research area and project director at the Mannheim Centre for Social Research, since 2009 Lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Goethe University of Frankfurt.

Inhalt

Preface.- 1 The Wondrous Growth of Nation-States in the Age of Globalisation.- 2 Democracy and Nationalism - Twin Children of the Sovereignty of the People.- 3 A Global-Human Perspective: The United Nation States of Europe and the World.- 4 The Peace Congress of the Socialist International in Basel, November 24-25, 1912.- 5 A Century of Wars and Striving for peace since the Peace Congress of Basel.- 6 Sarajevo 1914. A Century of Debate About the Guilt for the First World War.- 7 On the Saying: There have Always Been Wars. There will Always Be Wars as Long as Humanity Exists.- 8 The Present Clash of Religious Communities and Regional Civilisations in the Global Civilising Process.- 9 Geopolitics - An Ideology for the Legitimising the National Socialist Policy of Conquest or a Scientific and Political Field, That Is Unappreciated Today?.- 10 Democratization or the Restoration of Dictatorship as the Outcome of the Arab Rebellion.- 11 "With What Ink Remains": Stabbing a Pen Into the Hornet's Nest of Israeli, Jewish and German Sensitivities.- 12 Kashmir - Flashpoint for a Nuclear War or Even a Third World War?.- 13 The New Western War of Intervention in Mali.- 14 Linguistic Assimilation of All Citizens or Minority Protection: Åland Islands.- 15 Canada: Has It Passed the Tests as a Multicultural Nation, or Hasthe Democratic Secession of Quebec Been Postponed?.- 16 The Exacerbation of the Competition Between Brussels and Moscow Over the Integration of Ukraine.