1. The Oxford Handbook of Peaceful Change in International Relations
2. Restraining Great Powers: Soft Balancing from Empires to the Global Era
3. The Warrior State: Pakistan in the Contemporary World
4. The Tradition of Non-use of Nuclear Weapons
5. Asymmetric Conflicts: War Initiation by Weaker Powers
6. Power versus Prudence: Why nations Forgo Nuclear Weapons
7. India in the World Order: Searching for Major Power Status
8. Absolute Weapon Revisited: Nuclear Arms and the Emerging International Order
9. International Order and the Future of World Politics
10. The Nation-State in Question
11. Balance of Power: Theory and Practice in the 21stCentury
12. The India-Pakistan Conflict: An Enduring Rivalry
13. South Asia’s Weak States
14. Globalization and the National Security State
15. International Relations Theory and Regional Transformation
16. International Relations Theory and Regional Transformation
17. Status in World Politics (Co-edited); Cambridge University Press, 2014
18. Accommodating Rising Powers: Past, Present and Future
19. The China-India Rivalry in the Globalization Era
Reviews
1. The Oxford Handbook of Peaceful Change in International Relations (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021).
“Too much commentary on war and peace from pundits and the DC foreign-policy “blob” is based on an anachronistic set of cliches and anecdotes and is ignorant of the growing scholarship on peaceful change from a variety of perspectives. This handbook is a vital resource for introducing depth and fresh ideas into this arena.”
-Steven Pinker, Harvard University, and author of The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence has Declined.
“This handbook examines one of the critical questions of international politics going back to Immanuel Kant: how to explain and promote peaceful change in the relations between states. This issue was a major concern of international relations scholars in the 1930s, but since the Cold War, it has been sidelined by other concerns. The editors have mobilized a group of international authors to explore the issue. Forty-one outstanding chapters address the problem from diverse theoretical, historical, and regional perspectives. This handbook should help restore the problem of peaceful change to the center of the discipline.”
-Kal Holsti, University of British Columbia, and author of Taming the Sovereigns: Institutional Change in International Politics.
“Before the First World War, it was common for intellectuals in Europe and North America to proclaim war to be “necessary for human progress.” After that war, the sentiment was only rarely voiced, and over the next hundred years international war has declined greatly as a means for settling differences between states. Nonetheless, human progress has continued quite nicely without war’s stimulus. This volume gathers extensive commentary on the often neglected, but clearly important, process of peaceful change. It is much needed. “
-John Mueller, Ohio State University and Cato Institute, and author of The Stupidity of War: American Foreign Policy and the Case for Complacency.
“Its theoretical ambition, conceptual depth, and historical breadth make this volume a seminal contribution to the study of peaceful change. This book provides profound insight to scholars and practitioners alike into the potential for peaceful international change – but also illuminates the formidable obstacles that stand in its way. Peaceful change has long been understudied; this volume goes a long way toward filling the gap.”
-Charles A. Kupchan, Georgetown University and Council on Foreign Relations and author of How Enemies Become Friends: The Sources of Stable Peace
2. Restraining Great Powers: Soft Balancing form Empires to the Global Era (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2018).
From the Backcover
“Both critics and proponents of the role of the balance of power in international politics treat it as depending on military instruments. The signal accomplishment of T. V. Paul’s book is to show that there is a much larger set of tools that states can employ to restrain troublemakers.” – Robert Jervis, Columbia University, author of How Statesmen Think
“In this sophisticated and sweeping historical survey, T.V. Paul shows how modern states have pursued various types of balancing behavior—short of war—to constrain potential hegemonic powers. Restraining Great Powers is a tour de force that should be carefully read and reflected on by scholars and practitioners alike.” – David Shambaugh, George Washington University
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“Restraining Great Powers makes at least two significant contributions to international relations theory. First, the book brings legitimacy back to the debates about the balance of power and balancing strategies. Legitimacy played an important role in classical realist writings on the balance of power but was largely neglected in Kenneth Waltz?s reformulation of balance of power theory. Second, the book moves beyond the debate between structural (or neo)realists and (neo)liberal institutionalists in the 1990s about the “relevance” of international institutions. It does so by theorizing about how and under what conditions power politics are more likely to work through international institutions.”
Jeffrey W. Taliaferrro, Political Science Quarterly, Spring 2020, 151-52.
“Along with resurgent research on power transitions, the US-China relationship, and the prospects for peace and international stability, Paul’s remarkable book opens new venues for IR investigations. These include, inter alia, the impacts of hyper globalization and interdependence on the prospects for balancing; the strategies on hand for states to negotiate changes in global order; and the role of norms and institutions in times of both protectionism and threats to multilateralism. If one claims that the twenty-first century differs in many fundamental aspects from earlier periods, it is time now to search for empirical validation. Paul has just started, offering a valuable point of departure.” Augusto Rinadli, International Studies Review, (2019) 0, 1–2
“In Restraining Great Powers: soft balancing from empires to the global era, T. V. Paul seeks to explain the lack of intense balancing behaviour against contemporary Great Powers. In this timely and compelling book, Paul argues that states are choosing, instead, to engage in ‘soft balancing’ as a form of restraint.”
Hillary Briffa, International Affairs, November 2019, 1447-48
“The book is well written, cogently argued, and quite accessible to even non-experts.” Steve Chan, University of Colorado, Boulder, H-Diplo ISSF, June 24, 2019.
“While some scholars will challenge Paul’s innovative elaborations of soft balancing in the past two hundred years of world politics, the real value of Paul’s work lies not only in his elegant theoretical articulations and convincing case studies; it also reflects a new wave of the soft balancing debate that will inspire in the field.” Kai He, Griffith University, H-Diplo ISSF, June 24, 2019
“One of the important contributions of the book is its demonstration of the use of soft balancing in very different historical eras, not just the current unipolar one. Paul highlights the use of soft balancing even in periods when the climate was highly unfavorable for its success, showing that institutional means of restraining expansionist or aggressive great powers are not limited to the post-Cold War era.” Deborah Welch Larson, University of California, Los Angeles,H-Diplo ISSF, June 24, 2019
“Building on his influential and widely-cited 2005 article on “soft balancing,” Paul broadens and refines the concept, responds to common criticisms, develops the concept of ‘limited hard balancing,’ and demonstrates how strategies of soft balancing and other forms of restraint have become increasingly common over time.” Jack S. Levy, Rutgers University, H-Diplo ISSF, June 24, 2019
“This book is one of the most important contributions to the balance of power theory in recent years. It is a convincing attempt to craft a legitimate space for soft balancing (as well as limited hard balancing) to exist alongside other balancing strategies, such as hard balancing, to explain how states address threatening powers.” Bhubhindar Singh, Nanyang Technological University, H-Diplo ISSF, June 24, 2019
“Paul’s Restraining Great Powers both advances a full-fledged theory of soft balancing and finds empirical support for the pursuit of soft-balancing strategies by great powers and other states over the past two centuries.” Jeffrey W. Taliaferro, Tufts University, H-Diplo ISSF, June 24, 2019
“Paul argues that the idea of a balance of power is not dead; it has simply taken new, more peaceful forms, which he calls ‘soft balancing.’ . . . U.S. President Donald Trump’s ‘America first’ strategy and China’s growing military power will put his thesis to the test.”—G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs, November/December 2018.
3. The Warrior State: Pakistan in the Contemporary World(New York: Oxford University Press, 2014).
Paul lucidly and comprehensively explains the historical circumstances that led to a dearth of strong political leaders or political parties [in Pakistan] with a democratic sense or commitment…. This sobering study will appeal to anyone interested in the region.—Publishers Weekly, November 25, 2013.
In this grim yet thoughtful analysis of how it [Pakistan] got that way and how, however unlikely, it might straighten out. Painting a broader picture but covering much the same ground as former Pakistani ambassador Husain Haqqani’s Magnificent Delusions(2013), Paul delivers an equally insightful and harsh portrait of a dysfunctional nation. — Kirkus Review, December 1, 2013.
“The Warrior Stateis compelling, thought-provoking, and extremely well written, without the wordiness and redundancy that seem to plague academic works.” — New York Journal of Books, Feb 2014
Scholarly Praise
Pakistan and its army sometimes seem to be the same entity. They are not, and no other book than The Warrior State better places Pakistan’s army and the state in their international and comparative settings. It will be essential to scholars of the Subcontinent and of international and comparative politics as well as all those interested knowing why this country became the way it did. — Stephen P. Cohen, Brookings Institution and author of: Shooting for a Century: The India-Pakistan Conundrum).
In The Warrior State, T.V. Paul clarifies why nuclear-armed Pakistan continues to neglect all other aspects of development to maintain military parity with India. Even those who disagree with some of his conclusions will find useful his explanation of Pakistan’s insecurities and the policies they have inspired. This book is a valuable addition to the literature on Pakistan’s dysfunction and that dysfunction’s nexus with militarism and Jihadi militancy.—Husain Haqqani, former ambassador of Pakistan to the United States and Professor of International Relations, Boston University; Author of Pakistan Between Mosque and Military
The Warrior Stateis a provocative and insightful review of Pakistan’s tortured politics filled with interesting comparisons to other Muslim and emerging states.—Bruce Riedel, Director of the Brookings Institution’s Intelligence Project and author of: Deadly Embrace: Pakistan, America and the Future of the Global Jihad.
A timely commentary on Pakistan’s perennial search for stability.—Shuja Nawaz,Atlantic Council and author of Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army and the Wars Within.
The Warrior Stateprovides an unusual perspective on the links between Pakistan’s army-dominated political system and the weakness of the Pakistani state, looking at the different experience of some other army-dominated countries. A thought-provoking contribution. —Teresita Schaffer, retired U.S. Ambassador, Brookings Institution
The Warrior State is a sadly accurate assessment of the wasteful weakness of Pakistan’s predominant focus on military expenditure rather than its civil economic development, and on preparations for War rather than on peaceful cooperation with its neighbors. — Stanley Wolpert, UCLA History Professor and author of: India and Pakistan: Continued Conflict Or Cooperation?
The Warrior Stateis an incisive history of Pakistan’s primary national impulse: a holy war that has little resonance or justification in the modern context, but has turned the nation into a fortress that breeds terrorists with the consistency of a factory. Professor Paul’s brilliant study is essential to the understanding of the contemporary world’s most complex country—MJ Akbar,Author of: Tinder Box: The Past and Future of Pakistan
“In The Warrior State: Pakistan in the Contemporary World, T.V. Paul…unpack[s] the psychology behind Pakistan’s relationship with militants and its other national security pathologies. Paul’s most salient analysis of Pakistan’s ailments is what he calls the ‘geopolitical curse.'” –Shamila N. Chaudhary, New America Foundation, Political Science Quarterly
“Several books have recently tried to shed light on the role of the Pakistan army in Pakistani politics. Paul’s contribution receives strong endorsement from the Washington-based think-tank gatekeepers on Pakistan: Stephen Cohen, Hussain Haqqani, Bruce Riedel, Shuja Nawaz and Teresita Schaffer. The point the author wants to make is that historically war preparation and war in Europe proved to be an engine of economic development, but in Pakistan this has not been the case.” —Pacific Affairs
“TV Paul’s book The Warrior State: Pakistan in the Contemporary Worldbreaks fresh ground by using political theory and concepts to delve into why Pakistan is what it is. […] asks some very fundamental questions about why Pakistan has become the theatre of internecine violence, why it has emerged as a ‘failing state’, why does it remain a garrison or heavily militarised state, why does it remain so problematic for the international community and what sets Pakistan apart?”
—Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation
“Paul’s success, however, rests in locating the study of Pakistan in the broader context of political development in the post-colonial world. […] Paul’s use of political theory to explain the evolution of Pakistan makes The Warrior Statea very distinctive contribution to the literature on the contemporary subcontinent.”
— C. Raja Mohan, contributing editor, The Indian Express
“Paul’s book is well-researched and well-written…. His discussion underlying the spectacular success of European and a number of East Asian countries to transform themselves from warrior states of the past into industrial economies and stable democracies of today is superbly written. Thus, it should definitely be studied, especially by Nawaz Sharif’s top advisers, who are desperately struggling to draw up plans to industrialize and modernize their country.”
“The Warrior State is a mentally stimulating and well written account of how Pakistan has become the state it is today… I believe the situation in Pakistan would improve significantly if the leaders of Pakistan and the United States were to read and consider his work when drafting future policies and agreements.”
— Samuel Brooks, Sindh Guardian
“Paul’s Study makes several useful contributions. For one, he draws on insights from historical sociology, international relations, and comparative politics, including the resource curse, to make sense of the politics and geostrategic impulses of this important South Asian country. Second, his study advances the debate on the virtuous linkage between warfare and state building by making it more relevant to the experience of Pakistan in particular and developing countries in general.”Aquil Shah, Perspectives on Politics, 13, no.4, December 2015, 1103-12.
“By focusing a sorely needed comparative lens on Pakistan’s garrison policies and by innovating the concept of a geostrategic curse, T.V. Paul’s the Warrior State is a valuable contribution to the scholarly understanding of both the circumstances under which militaries govern and those under which states develop and effective capacities to extract and redistribute.” Maya Tudor, Perspectives on Politics, 13, 4, December 20-15:1097-1102.
“The Warrior State seeks to provide a new explanation for the important and complex issue of Pakistan’s failed development.” Contemporary Sociology, 45, 4, 523.
4. The Tradition of Non-use of Nuclear Weapons (Stanford University Press, 2009)
- “These two books [another book is also reviewed] are dedicated to the proposition that things that do not happen can be as important as things that do… Paul considers why those that chose to acquire them [nuclear weapons] have not used them… It is useful to be reminded of the instances in which the weapons might have been used, especially during the early years of the Cold War, before the tradition of non-use was established. There might be questions about some of Paul’s interpretations, but his basic analysis is carefully phrased and well judged.”
Lawrence Freedman, Foreign Affairs, September/October 2009: 151-52.
- “Paul has produced an excellent book. The central argument that a tradition of non-use has restrained the use of nuclear weapons is well-developed and largely convincing. Although the extent of this influence is, of course, debatable, Paul succeeds in exploring the historical influence and broader implications of the tradition. This book therefore makes an important contribution to the growing body of literature considering the non-use of nuclear weapons.”
David James Gill, International Affairs, 85, 4 (2009), 863-69.
- “The most important fact about the Bomb, at least in my view, is that it hasn’t been used on a battlefield since 1945. For this, among other things, we owe Ike [President Eisenhower] a large debt of gratitude. T.V. Paul has written an outstanding book that covers this ground and much more: The Tradition of Non-Use of Nuclear Weapons. I would highly recommend this book.”
Michael Krepon, ArmscontrolWonk.com, June 6, 2009.
- V. Paul has provided a solid, useful explanation of the major sources of that tradition and of the threats to its continuation. Both academics and policy makers would do well to pay attention to his work.”
Linton F. Brooks, Nonproliferation Review, 16(3), November 2009: 521-25.
Paul’s ‘riveting’ and ‘masterly’ book traverses the world of theory and policy with equal ease and is illustrative of how innovative theorizing can shed new light on real world issues in greater depth, offer a richer analysis of even much debated issues. This book deserves to be taken seriously by both policy makers and academics as it is one of the most original and significant contributions to our understanding of nuclear weapons to have come out in recent times.”
Harsh V. Pant, RUSI Journal, January 2010.
- “A good book is clearly written, methodically laid out, carefully researched, appropriately nuanced, and has interesting and important things to say. On these dimensions, T.V. Paul has written a very good book indeed… The Tradition of Non-Use of Nuclear Weaponsclearly has a great deal to offer to a variety of audiences. It speaks to an obviously important issue; it nicely balances theory and history; and it corrects a number of important misconceptions. Moreover, it accomplishes all this remarkably efficiently- in just over 200 pages of text.”
David Welch, H-Diplo Book Review Forum, December 2009.
- The strength of this book is two-fold: it develops a two-step political-historical argument to account for non-use, and examines non-use in a wide range of cases, many of them non-Western…It is accessible to policymakers due to its length and style and can only have the effect of reinforcing the tradition on non-use to the extent that those in power come away impressed by its logic and lessons and behave more responsibly in a crisis.”
Richard Ned Lebow, H-Diplo Book Review Forum, December 2009.
- This book is an excellent resource for students, scholars, and the policy community. It is well written and accessible, and appropriate for course use for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Scholars studying deterrence, the military role of nuclear weapons, and proliferation would all find the author’s analysis of use. Finally, policymakers concerned with defense policy and nuclear proliferation would be well advised to take heed of the interaction between the tradition of non-use, nuclear deterrence, and proliferation incentives.
Daniel R. Lake, International Studies Review(2009) 11, 781–783.
- V. Paul’s book joins the same political science debate, focusing instead on the “tradition” of non-use of nuclear weapons, which sometimes is described by other analysts as a taboo or a norm. Paul presents a valuable survey of the history of why such weapons have not been used since Nagasaki, arguing that the constructivist political scientists may be exaggerating the role simply of ideas, with the practical considerations of national interest playing a major part in keeping these weapons from being used. One could indeed find a logical parallel in terms of national interests between the continuing mutual-deterrence pattern of “no first use,” in which one side’s weapons are held in check as long as the other side does similarly, and a pattern of no first proliferation, where inherent capabilities to produce nuclear weapons are not employed, as long as the other side does not acquire such weapons…. The author presents an interesting analysis of conflicts where one side had nuclear weapons and the other did not, for example, in the Falklands War between Britain and Argentina. Political scientists may welcome Paul’s book as example of how one can apply alternative theories to concrete policy issues, but someone else will find this book all the more valuable, for the meticulous and nuanced coverage of the nuclear issue, presented in clearly written form.
George Quester, Parameter: US Army War College Review: Autumn 2009: 105-109.
- “Paul has written an interesting and useful book. He highlights the continuing and perhaps increasing dangers of nuclear use and the importance of maintaining the tradition of non-use. This is a debate that has been neglected and Paul puts it firmly back on the agenda both for students of strategic studies and practitioners involved in maintaining internationals security in a dangerous world.”
John Baylis, The International History Review41, December 2009: 936-37.
- [In this book] Paul uses his sources intelligently. He cites an impressive array of references to prove his case. In cases where policymakers actually considered the option of using nuclear weapons, Paul traces the points of contention and explains why they decided not to use nuclear weapons after all. He also charts the arguments that were put forward when the decision was taken, thus strengthening his main contention.”
David Tal, International Journal, Winter 2009-10: 265-67.
- “Paul builds on the impressive progress by scholars of deterrence, especially on the crucial concept of reputation. Unlike much of deterrent scholarship, which stresses reputation for credibility, Paul is more concerned with reputation in the form of esteem. Non-use, he argues, is a social norm based on calculation of interest. Like Joseph Nye’s work on soft power, Paul sees states restrained by their need for acceptance or support. Time and again, his scholarship reveals decision-makers pre-occupied not by the anguish of violating a moral taboo, but by fear of antagonizing various audiences, above all other states.”
Aaron Karp, Contemporary Security Policy, 31(1) April 2010, 196-202.
- “Paul’s framework is a timely and important contribution to the nuclear debate that incorporates valuable perspectives from both the rationalist and ideational perspectives. As the issues of arms control, force structure, and disarmament inevitably become mired in political trench warfare, creative and eclectic thinking on nuclear issues will be at a premium. The Tradition of Non-use of Nuclear Weaponsstands to provide an example of the rigorous scrutiny to which classic paradigms must be subjected in the search for real-world policy solutions.”
Jason Wood, Joint Forces Quarterly58(3), 2010, 112.
- “In this timely book, T.V. Paul offers a useful contribution to the debate over why nuclear weapons have remained unused since 1945…Paul’s work is an accessible, sensible, and useful contribution to what has become an ongoing dialogue on the factors behind nuclear non-use. Future students of the topic would be well- advised to take Paul’s work seriously.”
Nina Tannenwald, Political Science Quarterly, Fall 2010.
- “These two accounts [another book is also reviewed] provide insights for preventing a catastrophic nuclear accident, nuclear war and nuclear terrorism through active international participation and influence. Both authors, taking different perspectives (analytical, historical and conceptual), lay out the prospects for the twenty-first century under the shadow of nuclear weapons.”
Political Studies Review, 9(1), January 2011: 90-92.
From the Back cover of the book:
“The most astonishing event of the twentieth century did not occur: no nuclear weapons used in warfare since the two on Japan in August, 1945. Here is the first thorough history of the evolution of that powerful, completely unpredicted, tradition, with analysis of how to maintain and strengthen it.”
—Thomas Schelling, Nobel Laureate in Economics and Distinguished University Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland
“This is one of the best books on nuclear policy since George and Smoke’s classic, Deterrence in American Foreign Policy. It is a major and original contribution to our theoretical understanding and our empirical knowledge of nuclear weapons.”
—John A. Vasquez, Thomas B. Mackie Scholar in International Relations, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
“An impressive and nuanced assessment, at once wide-ranging and focused.”
—John Mueller, Professor of political science at Ohio State University and author of the forthcoming Atomic Obsession
“T.V. Paul’s fine Study traces the events and debates that have established a powerful tradition of non-use. It sheds light on where we may be going and where we should go.”
—Robert Jervis, Adlai E. Stevenson Professor of International Affairs, Columbia University.
“The message of this exhaustively researched book- that the tradition of nuclear non-use needs to be strengthened- should be brought to the attention of policymakers worldwide.”
—Jeffrey W. Knopf, Naval Postgraduate School
“T.V. Paul fills a huge gap in the literature on nuclear weapons-why the tradition of nonuse has been so potent and persistent. We can take little comfort, however, in his finding that this tradition could be undone by efforts by nuclear states to develop ‘usable’ low-yield weapons and to deter less than existential threats involving chemical and biological attacks.”
—William Potter, Monterey Institute of International Studies.
5. Asymmetric Conflicts: War Initiation by Weaker Powers
Cambridge University Press, 1994
“In highly structured, richly detailed case studies, the author convincingly shows that rational considerations can underlie behavior that does not follow from the logic of deterrence theory. In particular, the historical analysis suggests that weaker challengers, who are expected to be deterred by clear evidence of preponderant power, may think in terms other than victory and defeat; war initiation for partial political gains, even at the risk of limited military loss, is sometimes the only way to effect a change in an unbearable status quo. A major contribution of the study is its careful empirical reconstruction of the often complex and multi-dimensional decision calculus of weaker initiators, providing thereby a highly differentiated context for the evaluation of national security policies. Within this context, the author clarifies not only the behavior of the challenger but also the outlook of the status quo power, which usually fails to realize the limitations and long-term consequences of its deterrent posture. This latter observation is ripe with theoretical and policy implications that deserve the close attention of researchers in the field.”
Ben D. Mor, American Political Science Review, March 1996:234-36.
“The case studies are well presented and the argument clearly put.”
Foreign Affairs, July/August 1995:139.
“A good, methodologically competent piece of work on an interesting topic. It will be respectfully cited in the literature on war initiation and indeed will be required reading in that area.
Michael Nicholson, International Affairs, October 1994:763.
“An important contribution to the literature on the causes of war. Students of history and international politics should find the book accessible and provocative. Paul raises an important and timely issue that has received limited attention, and his contribution is certain to spark debate. The book serves as an excellent reminder that conflict processes are often complex and do not lend themselves to easy solutions.”
Martin Malin, Journal of International Affairs, Winter 1995:653-58.
“Reading this important piece of work was genuinely enjoyable. Paul provides an arresting and original framework that in itself makes an original theoretical contribution to the study of war, deterrence, coercive diplomacy, strategy and alliances. Each individual case study stands by itself as an interesting exposition of the interaction between theory and empiricism. In short, this volume is a significant contribution to the already considerable ‘Cambridge Studies in International Relations.”
Neil Winn, Millennium, 23(3), 1995.
“Paul’s book studies a familiar question in a fresh light… By bringing together a number of important hypotheses and carefully applying them to a specific set of cases, Paul’s work advances our understanding of an issue vital to the study of foreign and security policy.” (By
Susan Peterson, Journal of Interdisciplinary History27(1), Summer 1996:116-17.
6. Power versus Prudence: Why nations Forgo Nuclear Weapons
McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2000
“This book offers a valuable corrective for any of us who settle for pessimism about the spread of nuclear weapons, for it offers a well-researched and well-written account of why a great number of states have forgone the acquisition of such weapons, even when they have had the physical ability to produce them… The chapters in the book on individual countries will be extremely useful for anyone wanting an update on how these decisions have been made. It reflects the author’s careful survey of the literature combined with his own interviews in the field…. This is a book that anyone interested in nuclear weapons questions or interested in international relations theory will want to read.”
George Quester, Political Science Quarterly, Spring 2001134-35..
“In Power versus Prudence T.V. Paul raises one of the more interesting and neglected questions in security studies, that of nuclear restraints… Paul presents a generally insightful review of the nuclear programs of the states he selected for the study… Each of these three books [review includes two other books) … take up important questions, advance the existing debate, present clear expositions and adequate empirical background to make the theoretical issues vivid for advanced undergraduates, and offer much to debate — and with which to disagree — for scholars of nuclear politics and history.”
Fred Chernoff, American Political Science Review, September2001: 760-62.
“This engaging, informed, and thought-provoking volume is a must read for those interested in conflict analysis, security studies, nuclear proliferation issues, and foreign policy studies.”
Choice, September 2001: 244.
“At the heart of [Paul’s] prudential realism is the fundamental recognition of the security interdependence of states, whether allies or adversaries. Paul skillfully demonstrates that this recognition has underpinned all national choices to forgo nuclear weapons… One of the salutary findings of this impressive work is that the risk of proliferation are the greatest in areas of high conflicts and protracted conflicts.”
RUSI Journal, August 2001: 96.
[Paul] highlights some promising areas of study that should be helpful to policymakers.”
Orbis,Summer, 2001:466-74.
“A welcome addition to a small but growing literature on one of the most intriguing puzzles in international relations… The theoretical critique is strongly argued, the case narratives are well presented, and the conclusions offer interesting ideas about the nature of nuclear decision-making and the future of nuclear weapons. Power versus Prudencewill no doubt stimulate established scholars to take up this important topic and encourage younger scholars to do primary research on long-ignored cases of nuclear restraint.”
International Studies Review, Fall 2001:177-80.
“Given the central role of nuclear weapons in international security, how can their surprisingly slow spread be explained and how can one account for the fact that 182 countries have formally renounced such armaments by joining the NPT as non nuclear weapons states? T.V. Paul’s fine study goes far toward explaining this phenomenon which he aptly terms “nuclear forbearance.” His work accomplishes much more than this, however, because he embeds this analysis within the heated debate between realist and liberal international s theorists and offers a satisfying synthesis –“prudential realism” – which draws from both camps.”
Leonard S. Specter, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, Fall 2002:725-27.
“This book would fit nicely in a graduate or undergraduate course on international relations theory.”
Political Studies, August 2002:646.
From the Back cover of the book:
“An able, nuanced, and richly informed analysis of a much under-considered puzzle: why, despite decades of predictions to the contrary, have so few countries chosen to acquire nuclear weapons?”
John Mueller, professor of political science at Ohio State University, and author of Retreat from Doomsday: The Obsolescence of Major War, and Quiet Cataclysm: Reflections on the Recent Transformation of World Politics.
“Power versus Prudencemakes a valuable and timely contribution to the debates surrounding nuclear proliferation and arms control. The work is cogent, original, and theoretically sound. Paul succeeds brilliantly at proving his initial hypotheses.”
Albert Legault, Institut Québecois des hautes études internationales, Université Laval.
“A significant contribution to the field. The author makes a convincing case. This is a refreshing approach to an issue that has been previously explored by scholars but not in this manner. Paul argues his point persuasively.”
David Haglund, Centre for International Relations, Queen’s University
7. India in the World Order: Searching for Major Power Status
Cambridge University Press, 2003
“This book can be highly recommended both to undergraduate students of south Asian politics and international relations and to postgraduate students needing a book to set the context for this debate, which is surely one of the most crucial to international security in the early twenty-first century.”
International Affairs,July 2003: 933-34.
“Much scholarship on Indian foreign policy has been historical, descriptive, hortatory or, polemical. Consequently, the book under review represents an important departure. Nayar and Paul, to their considerable credit, have written an explicitly theoretical study of India’s quest for great power status. .. The strength of the book lies in its explicit engagement with a well-established corpus of theoretical literature in international relations.”
Sumit Ganguly, Survival,Autumn 2003: 241.
“A Substantial and Authoritative Review.”
Journal of Strategic Studies, 27(1) March 2004:189.
“Adopting largely an international system level analysis, the two distinguished scholars teaching at McGill University, Montreal, have provided a cogent and an in-depth analysis of the role played by India and the attempts made by major powers , the U.S. in the beginning and China at a later period, to circumscribe India’s role. The book has not only contemporary relevance; it also dwells upon theories of power transition, balance of power, containment, deterrence and role of nuclear weapons in foreign policy.”
The Hindu, Book Review, July 29, 2003.
“In India in the World Order,B.R. Nayar and T.V. Paul go beyond historical and single case approaches by employing international relations theory, in particular realism. They address the issue of how middle powers, such as India attempt to gain entry into the great power system in the face of resistance from long-lasting great powers. The theoretical framework and comparison of India with other powers contribute to a stimulating study in international relations and comparative foreign policy.”
Stephen F. Burgess, Contemporary Security Policy, 24(2), April 2003:184-86.
An “important” study “documenting India’s great leap forward.”
- Ehasan Ahrari, Security Dialogue, 35(2), 2004:207-15.
“This work will be especially interesting to those who want to explain Indian behavior on nuclear issues and on the non-proliferation regime and have found the traditional theoretical divides (neorealist, institutionalist, constructivist) unsatisfactory.”
Seema Gahlaut, Perspectives on Politics, December 2005:941-42.
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8. Absolute Weapon Revisited: Nuclear Arms and the Emerging International Order
University of Michigan Press, 1998 & 2000
“Although there are dozens of recent books and think-tank studies of the multi-faceted nuclear weapons issue, the scope, depth, and quality of the papers in this volume are its marks of distinction. Strongly recommended for libraries and collections specializing in international security, war and peace studies, military and defense issues, and arms control.”
Choice,October 1998
“A major contribution to the ongoing debate on whether the acquisition of non-conventional weapons is more or less conducive to the outbreak of war.”
American Political Science Review, September 1999
“One of the most stimulating collection of writings on nuclear affairs published in recent times and can be recommended to students.”
International Affairs, July 1999
“A commendable contribution to the literature on the nuclear arms race, and is recommended for those interested in proliferation issues and international relations.”
Millennium,vol. 28(1), 1999
“The volume succeeds in offering a contemporary perspective on the issues raised by Brodie and his collaborators in 1946…” and “has worth a place in any library concerned with nuclear weapons and international security.”
Canadian Journal of Political Science, December 1999.
“The debates [in the book] is a valuable stimulus to thought about the vital issues relating to the future of nuclear weapons, the prospects for nuclear disarmament and for the proliferation of nuclear weapons…. Without doubt an essential read for all interested in how international politics are likely to develop in the twenty-first century.”
Journal of Strategic Studies, June 2000.
From the back cover of the book
“The Cold war, the Soviet Union, and bipolarity have all disappeared, but nuclear weapons have not. Indeed the stimulating essays in the Absolute Weapon Revisitedmake clear that they may loom larger than they did before. I doubt if we have the final answers for either scholarship or for policy, but by combining the basic ideas articulated by Bernard Brodie and his colleagues over 50 years ago with the subsequent history, these authors have greatly clarified the important questions.”
Robert Jervis, Columbia University.
“Bernard Brodie’s Absolute Weapon, published in 1946, was the first serious attempt to make sense f the nuclear age. Since then the Cold war has been and gone without the actual use of nuclear weapons. This timely and serious volume returns to the main issues raised by Brodie in the light of this experience. The authors by no means all agree, but their debate illuminates the vital issues relating to the past and future role of nuclear deterrence and the prospects for disarmament and the continuing spread of these deadly weapons.”
Lawrence Freedman, Kings College, London.
______________________________________________________________________________
9. International Order and the Future of World Politics
Cambridge University Press, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 (twice), 2003
“The arguments are compelling and the overall effect is impressive.”
John Owen, University of Virginia, Choice, 37(7), March 2000: 1368
“This ambitious volume provides extensive, well organized sample of current thinking on international relations.”
Naval War College Review, Autumn 2000.
10. The Nation-State in Question
Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2003
“This impressive volume brings together political scientists and sociologists to assess what effects globalization has had on the state. Simplistic early views of globalization held that increasing openness and interdependence, together with the benign post-cold war security environment, would rob states of their historical role and capacities while fueling the rise of supranational actors such as the European Union and sub-national actors such as nongovernmental organizations, The essays here are part of a later wave of more balanced scholarship that moderate such breathless, often hysterical conclusions. The contributors show that states are not likely to disappear or lose much significance anytime soon.”
Foreign Affairs, March April 2004, 157.
“The volume is required reading for students of the state and is recommended for its nuanced and perceptive examination of major aspects of the different functions and relationships of states in a period of development and change,”
George Sorensen, Cooperation and Conflict, 39(2) 2004, 215-17.
“A systematic engagement with the historical and conceptual development of nation-states is the major lacunae of the mainstream literature on globalization and the decline of the nation-state of the last ten or so years. In their different ways, the 14 essays included in the Nation-State in Questiontry to fill that gap, addressing the challenges nation-States currently face by keeping an eye on both the historical continuities and discontinuities of these challenges. Organized around a plurality of theoretical and methodological perspectives, the collection’s unifying theme is no doubt the importance of nation-states within a context of globalization. This, apart from the merit of its individual contributions, is a major reason to welcome the publication of this fine edited collection.”
Contemporary Sociology, 33(5), 2004:577-78.
“This is really an outstanding collection of essays from a diverse range of scholars, each of whom attempts to answer the vexing question of the role of the state in the contemporary era…. A rich assortment of tables and figures help to illustrate the various points made by the contributors.”
Critical Sociology, 30(1), April, 2004, 172-73.
“The Nation-State in Question is a collection that will be a boon to many courses across a wide range of academic disciplines, and that it will give any thoughtful observer of the contemporary global scene much to ponder.”
International Studies Review, 6 (2004), 483-85.
This volume offers a “complex and nuanced perspective” on the state of the nation-state. “I can only recommend the Nation-State in Questionto anybody who is interested in the nature of the state, the ways it relates to society, the factors that are causing it to change, and the direction it may take in the future.”
Martin van Creveld, Perspectives on Politics,(APSA) March 2005: 206-7.
“This book belongs to a third wave of writing that seriously tries to understand and measure the changes that states are experiencing, without committing itself in advance to sensationalist conclusions. The chapters… are empirically grounded, historically informed and balanced in their conclusions. …. There is a wealth of material in this collection. It is well-edited, with the chapters making references to each other and an effective introduction and conclusion by the editors. The case studies always reach out to broader debates and issues. It can be recommended as stimulating set of readings for those interested in the debates on globalization and state transformation.”
Michael Keating, (European University Institute, Florence),
Canadian Journal of Political Science, 37(3), September 2004:757-58.
“The Nation-State in Question presents a collection of essays that forcefully critique the view that the nation-state can no longer exercise the kind of power it once did. The evidence suggests that the retreat has really been a restructuring.”
Alex Gourevitch, Journal of International Affairs58(1), Fall 2004:255-60.
“The book brings together a very capable group of scholars from the fields of international relations and comparative politics….The principal contribution of the volume, which deserves a wide readership, lies in the combination of theoretical insight and in-depth analysis of policy areas.”
Malte Pehl, Journal of Peace Research, 42(5), 2005:647.
“The Nation-State in Questionis an important addition to a growing literature critical of the view that unrelenting globalization has begun to limit state authority across a series of domains and might ultimately lead to the withering away to the state. The contributors to the book are unanimous in their view that the state has been the central organizational expression of modernity, and will continue be the dominant form of political organization for the foreseeable future.”
Richard Ned Lebow,International History Review, 27(2), June 2005:459-63.
“The Nation State in Questionis an excellent book that I would recommend to all students of contemporary politics. In particular, I would like to see students of globalization read this collection. The volume is a tonic for those weary of the hyper-globalist thesis, which has become more mantra than empirical fact (with onerous political consequences). The state is not dead, national legislatures do wield power, and capital does not trump politics at every turn.”
Paul Hamilton, International Journal, 60(4) Autumn 2005: 1168-70.
From the back cover
“Well written and well organized, this book reflects sound scholarship. I applaud the initiative of the editors to assemble such an eclectic collection that will be highly useful for those wishing to cross disciplinary boundaries. Moreover, the essays tend to avoid the disciplinary jargon that often limits a readership to a narrow academic audience.”
Bruce Cronin,University of Wisconsin, author of Community Under Anarchy
“Each of the chapters is soundly written and the volume as a whole brings together some outstanding, well recognized scholars to undertake an ambitious, wide-ranging enterprise.”
Hendrik Spruyt, Arizona State University, author of The Sovereign State and Its Competitors
11. Balance of Power: Theory and Practice in the 21stCentury
Stanford University Press, 2004
“Balance of power is among the more controversial and therefore enduring concepts in international relations. The editors and contributors to this collection, prolific academicians in the field of international relations and security studies, focus on an important question: what is the relevance of balance of power theory and policies in the post-Cold War Era? … The introduction, setting out the questions to be addressed by the contributors, and the conclusion, summing up the essays, lend the volume unusual coherence. … These well-documented essays are recommended to those interested in international relations study as well as regional security policies. Summing up: Highly Recommended.
Choice,Vol. 42(11), July 2005
“The book offers a wealth of analytical gems and fruitful avenues for future international relations scholarship. The pairing of the theoretical enterprise with the subsystem regional implications is innovative, and the concluding chapter to the volume does an admirable job of tying together some of the disparate themes. The book is a valuable addition to the literature and worth examining for advanced international relations courses.”
Patricia A. Weitsman, Perspectives on Politics, December 2005: 953-54.
“Many social scientists will find this volume a most welcome addition to the ongoing debates in the field of international relations, political science and social theory in general.”
Eric Mielants, Contemporary Sociology, 35(1), 2005:63-64.
“The balance of power is one of the oldest and most enduring concepts of international relations. It is surprising that since the end of the Cold War, the dynamics of power balancing have been all but absent: the great powers have not formed counterbalancing coalitions to guard against U.S. predominance and unlikely to anytime soon. This book which brings together leading international security experts to assess the current status of the balance of power theory, confirms the peculiarity of today’s internationals system.”
- John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs84(1), 2005: 180.
“My initial impression of this book was that balance of power as we knew it is no longer relevant, but there are new versions developing. My more lasting opinion, however, it that it is about much more. Within a few days, I had recommended it to three colleagues, each working in different fields. The book seemed to relate to just about anything I was reading: realist theory, terrorism, political economy, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, democratic development. It had burrowed into my mind, and had me thinking about my research, my teaching, and current international politics. It is one of those books.
“Balance of power is dead: long live balance of power! Read this book. You will find yourself recommending it to colleagues as well.”
George A. MacLean, International Journal, Winter 2005/06.
“The edited volume by Paul, Wirtz, and Fortmann certainly does not resolve the many puzzles that Balance-of-Power theory is grappling with. But it points out some very important findings, underlining how vibrant and stimulating the debate is among scholars who assume that Balance of Power will keep playing an important part in analyzing International Relations in the 21st century. Moreover, it makes clear that it is not a degenerating research program, but rather
progressive and likely to make important contributions in the future. The message is clear: it is high time to refocus on Balance-of-Power theory.”
Politische Vierteljahresschrift April 2006 (Translated from German)
“This book is a good example of how to produce an edited volume. It has a clear topic around which it builds a set of research questions. The cumulative effect is a comprehensive analysis of the current position and relevance of balance of power in international relations. This volume is an insightful revision of balance of power politics and poses challenging questions for researchers in international relations… This volume is highly recommended for both scholars and students of international relations.”
Ismene Gizelis, Journal of Peace ResearchVol. 44(2), March 2007:252.
From the Back Cover
“The realist theory of balance of power has always had to contend with its opposite, the economic theory of collective goods. Under the first, states would oppose an expansionist power, siding with the weaker side. Under the second, states would free-ride, waiting for someone else to oppose the aggressor. These essays are the very first to address this contradiction. The authors find that states rarely use hard balancing techniques, but content themselves with ‘soft balancing’ or even non-action. This is a new and provocative synthesis which alters, realist theory and is a must-read for students and practitioners alike.”
Richard Rosecrance, University of California, Los Angeles
“This collection of studies written by leading experts in the field offers a careful, thorough and very wide ranging assessment of balance of power theory in today’s international politics. The caliber of the research is outstanding.”
Patrick Morgan, University of California, Irvine
12. The India-Pakistan Conflict: An Enduring Rivalry
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005)
“This excellent volume, which brings together International Relations theorists and specialists in Comparative Politics, aims to address the protracted conflict and lay bare its roots. The result is a fine example of a pioneering work that frames our understanding of the rivalry between India and Pakistan within the appropriate theoretical approaches to the study of embedded conflicts. At the same time, it manages to tease out the domestic configurations in both countries that have shaped this particular conflict.”
Farzana Shaikh, International Affairs(London), 82:3, 2006:609-10.
“The India-Pakistan Conflictoffers excellent cases for graduate and specialist study of nuclear deterrence and international relations theory because the [contributors] debate their conceptual arguments clearly.”
Robert S. Anderson, Pacific Affairs79(2), Summer 2006:291-97.
“This book manages to move beyond much of the existing literature precisely because it seeks to marry key conceptual and theoretical debates to the India-Pakistan case…..The challenge of building confidence and a sustainable peace between India and Pakistan remains, but meanwhile T.V. Paul and his colleagues have made a useful contribution to analyzing some of the drivers that have underpinned their decades-long rivalry.
Alexander Evans, RUSI Journal, February 2007: 75-76.
“The book makes an excellent handbook on the nature and genesis of the India-Pakistan conflict by 11 eminent scholars.”
Brigadier A.R. Siddiqui, The Dawn(Karachi), March 18, 2007.
“This volume deliberately crosses disciplinary lines, bringing together the insights of a diverse set of comparativists and international relations specialists. The result is a rich compendium of discussions that conveys the multi-dimensional complexity of the Indo-Pakistani conflict….The book makes an important contribution in bringing together a range of scholars in both international relation and comparative politics, whose diverse viewpoints and expertise illuminate the spectrum of factors underlying conflict in South Asia.”
- Paul Kapur, Canadian Journal of Political Science, 18(12) 2006: 966-67.
“The Indian subcontinent remains a chronically under-studied area of the world in US academic circles. This inattention is curious, since both Pakistan and India are emerging as critical partners in US policy, both states possess nuclear weapons, and the entire region is an enormous generator if violent religious and ethno-nationalist non-state actors.The India-Pakistan Conflict: An Enduring Rivalrymake[s] important contributions to current scholarship…. Overall, this volume is an extremely useful contribution to both theoretical literature and regional analysis.”
Timothy Hoyt, India Review, 6(2), April-June 2007: 116-31.
“Paul’s edited book is a contribution to the political complexity of the enduring rivalry between India and Pakistan. It is particularly useful to those individuals who seek peace and stability in the subcontinent and adjacent regions. It deserves to be read, studied and pondered, and its proposals tried… His introduction is especially useful, providing a succinct history. The summary on power asymmetry gives fresh insight into the protracted nature of the conflict. Durable peace will require drastic changes in the complex political situation…”
Garth N. Jones, Journal of Third World Studies, Fall 2007.
“The volume offers the first cogent application of a range of international relations and comparative theories to the India-Pakistan case. It offers the bridge between theory and case studies that instructors look for in assigning readings. As the most disputatious dyad in the world, the India-Pakistan rivalry is also a real-world challenge that both international relations and comparative politics scholars will increasingly ponder.
Sunil Dasgupta, Journal of Strategic Studies, March 2008, 330-33.
“The best intellectual effort to unpack this corrosive amalgam systematically remains T.V. Paul,
ed., e India-Pakistan Conflict: An Enduring Rivalry (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005,” Ashley Tellis, Carnegie Endowment, September 2017 (See footnote 244), http://carnegieendowment.org/files/India-Pakistan_Peace_Talks_final1.pdf
13. South Asia’s Weak States(Stanford University Press, 2010)
This book can be recommended to anyone interested in South Asia’s Regional Security Dynamics.
Journal of Peace Research, 48(3), May 2011.
This book extends insights for the state weakness/state strength paradigm to international relations in South Asia. Weak states and their byproduct, ‘the weak cooperative interstate norms’ writes the editor T.V. Paul, account for the ‘chronic insecurity of South Asia.’ Fortunately, Paul and his colleagues go beyond the received ideas about the service-provider state in the original paradigm, and adapt the vocabulary to South Asian conditions by emphasizing factors like the incongruence between state and nations…. There is much in the volume that readers will find insightful, refreshing, interesting and convincing. However, these strengths derive from the lack of consensus among the authors and their ability to breakout of the straightjacket of the paradigm that inspired them.”
Sanjib Baruah, Pacific Affairs, 84(4), December 2011: 791-92.
This timely book helps explain why South Asia suffers from such high levels of domestic and regional insecurity. Editor T. V. Paul sets the stage by arguing that these security woes stem largely from two sources: weak state capacity and an anaemic regime of interstate norms…. The book’s first major endeavour is to identify the causes of state weakness in South Asia. At one end of the spectrum are arguments focused on policy choices and leadership failures. At the other end are explanations rooted in longer-term structural factors…. Overall, South Asia’s Weak Statesmakes an admirable contribution. It diagnoses South Asia’s problems through a strong set of conceptual and historical studies. The conclusion by Paul and Theodore McLauchlin identifies the key question as scholars and policymakers seek a cure: How can vicious cycles of state weakness and insecurity be reversed into virtuous ones? There is no silver bullet, but arming oneself with a better understanding of the sources of South Asian insecurity will certainly help.
John D. Ciorciari, Perspectives on Politics, 9 (4), December 2011:928-30.
14. Globalization and the National Security State(Oxford University Press, 2010)
The authors should be lauded for the wide empirical domain they cover, both in terms of issue areas and regions of the world. They push beyond a traditional concentration on trade and conflict in research on the political economy of national security and actively confront the intellectual challenges posed by a rapidly changing international political environment in the post-Cold War period. The book serves as a comprehensive resource, both for the identification of a broad swath of potential hypotheses linking globalization and nationals security and as a starting point for new empirical research.”
Patrick J McDonald, Political Science Quarterly, 126 (3), Fall 2011, 515-17.
This is an important book. Amidst debates on the impact of globalization on the national security state, Ripsman and Paul come forward with a well thought out and empirically driven effort to evaluate that impact, and more particularly the notion that the national security state is losing its relevance…. The immediate benefit of this book is that it now allows for more informed debates on the impact of globalization on the national security state, debates that should no longer be limited to generalizations and anecdotal evidence. Another benefit is that the methodology and analytical framework can easily be emulated for regular reassessments of the globalisation theses.
Stephane Lefebvre, Political Studies Review, 10(2), 2012: 262-63.
Globalization and National Security Stateis a quite useful, contrarian approach to a literature that touts, unblinkingly, the benefits of examining the world through the lenses of ever increasing global change. As the core concept develops more precision, this type of study could be an important addition to general theories of international relations. As it is the book is a welcome addition to classroom debates in advanced international relations courses.
Douglas M Gibler, Perspectives on Politics, 11(1), March 2013, pp.353-54.
In this volume, two competent and scrupulous political scientists submit what they call the ‘globalization thesis’ , according to which globalization has transformed the problem of security and considerably reduced the role of the nation state, to a rigorous empirical test. They conclude that while the effects of globalization can be uneven, the national-security state is, on balance, alive and well; that it has proven remarkably resilient and adaptable; that in cases where it has lost some its powers or has modified its methods or its definition of security or the enemy, globalization was only one factor and not necessarily the main one.”
Pierre Hassner, Survival,52(6), December 20111, 184-87.
Paul and Ripsman deserve praise for developing a significant amount of nuance in their definitions and argument in the book’s early chapters. The book is diligent in explaining what it means by globalization, developing a precise and intelligent definition that synthesizes concepts from many works, as well as discussing the national security state from realist and institutional perspectives….. Lucidly written and easy to follow given each chapter’s similar structure, the book will appeal to students looking for an introduction to the debate on globalization and senior scholars wanting serious empirical analysis. Globalization and the National Security State contributors an important argument for restraint to a literature that is often too hasty in proclaiming the occurrence of a fundamental shift in world politics.”
James Whibley, Global Policy,November 2012.
From the Back Cover
“Ripsman and Paul debunk loose generalizations about globalization’s effects on the state and security policy. States today neither spend less on defense nor fight fewer wars than in less globalized eras. Globalization’s effects, to the extent they exist, are not universal. The authors argue persuasively that states are the masters rather than victims of the process of globalization.”–David A. Lake, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, University of California, San Diego
“Ripsman and Paul neatly debunk critical key assumptions concerning the impact of globalization on the security actions of nation-states. Their conclusions will provoke healthy dissent and important debate among theorists and empiricists, both reflections of the essential and enduring quality of this compelling book.”–Robert I. Rotberg, Director, Program on Intrastate Conflict and Conflict Resolution, Harvard University
“The impact of globalization on the international system and on the national security strategies of states is a central question in the study of international relations, and Globalization and the National Security Statemakes an invaluable contribution. The detailed empirical analysis of consequences of globalization for the leading states in the system, for regional zones of peace, and for regions of rivalry and protracted conflict are particularly valuable. Not all readers will agree with the authors’ argument that globalization has not radically transformed the international and regional security environments, but all will have to contend with their careful reasoning and systematic evidence.”–Jack S. Levy, Board of Governors’ Professor, Rutgers University
15. International Relations Theory and Regional Transformation
(Cambridge University Press, 2012)
This collection of writings, edited by Paul views regional order as well as conflict through the prism of international relations theories or perspectives…Extensively footnoted, the essays are an invitation for further study and research… This book is strongly recommended to researchers of regional transformation as well as international relations generally. Summing Up: Highly recommended”
-R.P. Peters, University of Massachusetts at Boston, CHOICE Magazine
The ambitious and comprehensive edited volume is intended to push the study if regional orders forward, beyond its current atomized and narrow paradigmatic state. Paul accomplishes this by organizing the volume around the major IR approaches, allowing for a wide-ranging discussion of the role of power, institutions, regime type, economic interdependence, ideas identity and practices and their effect on regionals stability, peace and security communities.
Steven E. Lobell, Perspectives on Politics, 12, no.4, December 2014: 976-78.
This volume tackles an important question in International Relations, namely how regions transform from war to detente to an enduring peace. The goal of the volume is to evaluate the state of the current research in the security literature on this topic as well as present areas for further research. The volume largely succeeds at this task, providing thought-provoking essays from scholars in all the major schools of IR as well as suggesting fruitful approaches for future research…. A great resource for scholars and policy makers who are interested in unpacking the factors leading to regional transformation.
Margaret E. Peters, International Studies Review, 15 September 2013, 457-58.
A compilation of succinct and interesting articles, this edited volume broadens scholarship on regions and regional change through a variety of styles and perspectives…. An impressive line-up of distinguished IR theories provides a rich analysis of regional transformation, by developing regional level analytical frameworks, from the perspective of their school of thought… By taking a balanced approach, the book significantly deals with all paradigms and squeezes out various policy-relevant ideas for regional transformation, especially akin to the European model of regional security community. This volume must certainly be welcomed as a much needed initial step towards a better understanding of regional transformations forma vast range of scholarly perspectives.
Surindar Mohan,Political Studies Review11(2), 2013, 257.
From the back cover
‘Can regions transform themselves from zones of conflict to zones of cooperation and if so how? In addressing this core question, this volume skillfully bridges theoretical divides and offers strong comparative analysis on different trajectories of regional transformation, with some thought-provoking conclusions.’
Louise Fawcett, St Catherine’s College, University of Oxford
‘This up-to-date and carefully crafted book delivers on its main promise. With an explicit focus on theories of international relations it inquires into the multidimensional and multi-causal pathways that create regional orders. An outstanding group of specialists provide illuminating and cross-paradigmatic perspectives covering most of the world’s main regions.’
Peter J. Katzenstein, Walter S. Carpenter, Jr Professor of International Studies, Cornell University
‘The great strength of this book is the range of scholarly perspectives represented. Realists, liberals, constructivists, and others offer competing logics and claims evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively. No previous book has been anywhere near so comprehensive in its theoretical treatment of regional transformation. This book will be the definitive reference on regional transformation for some time to come.’
Douglas Lemke, Pennsylvania State University
‘A vigorous revitalization of theory and research at the regional level of analysis, comparing and blending the three dominant theoretical perspectives in international politics today. The contributors’ surveys and assessments of the literature and major research findings, and their stimulating displays of research techniques, all in a clear and coherent fashion, offer an excellent resource for scholars and students.’
Patrick M. Morgan, Tierney Chair in Global Peace and Conflict Studies, University of California, Irvine
‘Much of the most interesting work on international integration is now concerned with regional networks of organizations and commerce. This book gives a great window on what’s happening in scholarship and in the world.’
Bruce Russett, Dean Acheson Research Professor of International Relations, Yale Universit
16. Complex Deterrence: Strategy in the Global Era(co-edited with Patrick M Morgana nd James j Wirtz, University of Chicago Press, 2009).
From the backcover
“This book is a valuable antidote to some of the more glib and prematurely pessimistic statements that get circulated about ‘the end of deterrence as we know it.’ Quite comprehensive on the theories and modes of deterrence, it is valuable for drawing together both political scientists and policy makers.” George Quester, University of Maryland
“The use of deterrence to prevent war did not go away at the end of the Cold War; it just became more complex. This valuable book provides new insights from psychology, political science, and history to illuminate the difficulties of using deterrence against terrorists, new states with nuclear weapons, and great powers in an age of globalization.” Scott D. Sagan, Stanford University
“Deterrence and compellence are widely used strategies in the post-Cold War world, and this is the most sophisticated attempt by far to determine who embraces these strategies, in what circumstances and to what effect. The essays draw on traditional and recent developments in deterrence theory and are sensitive to empirical and psychological critiques. Policymakers and scholars alike have much to learn from this thoughtful volume.” Richard Ned Lebow, Dartmouth College
“This volume is a must read for scholars and practitioners of deterrence in the 21stcentury. It pays respect to many of the traditional precepts of deterrence yet offers an impressive tour of the contemporary challenges of theory and practice.” Jeffrey S. Lantis, Contemporary Security Policy
17. Status in World Politics (Co-edited); Cambridge University Press, 2014
“The edited volume opens up intellectual horizons in a significant way and casts new light on great power politics and international relations. In particular, it underscores the social, intersubjective component of a state’s standing in world politics, which is often overlooked in the discipline. The editors believe that status matters, but hey are not dogmatic. They are inclusive of various theoretical, ontological and methodological perspectives on this complex subject. Unlike many edited volumes, the thought-provoking chapters are invariably of high quality.” Yong Deng, Perspectives on Politics, 13, 4, December 2015:1217-19.
From the Back page:
“In World War I status disagreements contributed to the war. Once again in the 21st century status is becoming an important issue. Definitively and thoroughly examining status from a number of angles, this book is an indispensable source on the subject.”
Charles Doran, Andrew W. Mellon Professor of International Relations, School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University
“Status in World Politicsis a major contribution to a heretofore neglected topic. The debate over ‘status’ … its meaning, causes and consequences … offered by the authors in this volume is an essential introduction to forces that have shaped world politics and will be part of the currency of competition defining the new world order.”
Michael W. Doyle, Columbia University
“Quality essays explore and evaluate the influence of status in the foreign policy behaviour of the great powers. The analyses are rich in theoretical insights and policy implications, and are highly relevant in our era of power transitions.”
K. J. Holsti, Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia
“This is a path-breaking volume. It fills an important intellectual gap by exploring with nuance and sophistication the role that status plays in shaping interstate relations and the prospects for stability in a changing world.”
Charles A. Kupchan, Georgetown University, Council on Foreign Relations, and author of No One’s World
“T. V. Paul, Deborah Welch Larson, and William Wohlforth have given IR scholars the right book at the right time. The study of great power relations traditionally focuses on power. Status in World Politicscalls our attention to the fact that great powers – especially rising ones – seek acknowledgment of their newfound position in the international system. This book fills a gap in the study of great power behaviour and draws our attention to the fact that prestige and status are important drivers of great power strategies. This is a path breaking book that is sure to inspire new research on this important topic.”
Christopher Layne,University Distinguished Professor and Robert M. Gates Chair in National Security, George H. W. Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A and M University
“States seek status as an end in itself as it enhances the self-esteem of leaders and peoples alike. Contributors to this volume offer useful insights into how status is achieved and signalled and how conflicts can arise when leaders of different countries make asymmetric assessments of their relative standing.”
Richard Ned Lebow, Professor of International Political Theory, King’s College London.
18. Accommodating Rising Powers: Past, Present and Future(Cambridge University Press, 2016).
This volume takes on an important and timely topic: how should the world manage interstate power shifts in the interest of keeping peace and stability? The contributing authors study both past and current encounters between established and rising powers. They offer valuable insights for scholars and officials alike.”
Steve Chan, College Professor of Distinction, University of Colorado, Boulder
“In a moment of transition and change, this timely collection takes stock of what theory and history tell us about peaceful and violent power transitions. Sensitive to the distinctive conditions of contemporary world politics and relying on first-rate essays by his distinguished colleagues, T. V. Paul comes down sensibly on both sides of Hegel – this owl of Minerva also flies in the twilight.”
Peter J. Katzenstein, Walter S. Carpenter Jr, Professor of International Studies, Cornell University, New York
“T. V. Paul and his co-authors re-examine the conditions for peaceful international change in this sweeping set of theoretical and empirical studies. Including historical as well as contemporary cases, Accommodating Rising Powersilluminates the successful and unsuccessful strategies pursued by rising and incumbent powers as they bargain over the future global order.”
Miles Kahler, Distinguished Professor, School of International Service, American University
“Perceptions of global power shifts have an immediacy that few other international relations issues have, because rising powers have historically posed a threat to international stability and a risk of conflict and war. They also challenge international theorists. The 14-essay volume edited by Paul addresses the challenge in terms of policies that could accommodate rising powers … The essays are very well footnoted. [This] book is strongly recommended for university students and scholars.”
R. P. Peters, Choice
“In his impressive collection, Paul leads an interdisciplinary group of scholars in exploring how rising powers and more established rivals have dealt with this dilemma in the past. The book makes clear that long-term shifts in power among states do foment insecurity and conflict, but diplomacy and steady strategies of reciprocity and self-restraint can bring countries back from the brink of war.” G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs, 95, September/October 2016
“This is, then, a thought-provoking book that addresses theoretical and practical problems of pressing concern. It fits with the general movement in the study of International Relations away from structural theories and towards mid-range theorizing about diplomatic practice. As such, it is a welcome and important volume.” Ian Hall, International Affairs, 92, no.5, September 2016: 1270-72.
“Accommodating Rising Powers is a worthy read that is one of the best, if not the only elaboration on the concept of accommodation in IR.” E-International Relations,Aug 7, 2016
“Accommodating Rising Powersis valuable and unique contribution that provides an ideational framework to ponder over the vital questions and issues relating to peaceful systemic change in international politics.” Indian Foreign Affairs Journal, 12, no.1, January-March 2017, 83-92.
19. The China-India Rivalry in the Globalization Era(Georgetown University Press, 2018).
“This volume is an important addition to the literature and students of the India-China dynamic should use it as a platform to further comparative studies of what is without doubt one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world.” Jabin T. Jacob,
H-Net Reviews, H-Diplo, March 2019.
“What is different (in this volume) is that the discussions are framed by the rivalry literature that allows for a dynamic, as opposed to static, view of interstate rivalry. This encourages an optimistic view of the future of rivalry between India and China and provides some relief from the heightened sense of a China threat that forms the policy world in New Delhi.” Madhu Bhalla, India Quarterly, June 2019.