Grasping World Politics from East Asian Context: Volume I. Concepts and Theories (International Relations Made Easy & Global Book 1) Kindle Edition

World Politics, or international relations (IR) more generally, is a field of social scientific inquiry developed in the historical and theoretical context of the West. This book recasts IR in East Asia’s historical and cultural context, especially Korea and China. It does so by translating familiar IR jargon into local words and adages, rather than inventing new, unfamiliar terms. This unique approach not only makes the concepts more accessible but also enriches them with the unique perspectives of East Asian culture. To illustrate these concepts, the book refers to historical episodes and adages familiar to the locals, making the concepts more relatable and understandable. In doing so, it caters to readers both in the East, by making Western social science more familiar, and in the West, by introducing them to new cultural perspectives. Despite this cultural focus, the book maintains the integrity of IR as a scientific field.The book explains concepts and theories with easy, fresh metaphors and analogies blended with East Asian traditions and examples.As such, this book is an easy introduction to International Relations, written in plain words and succinct sentences, accessible by readers at all levels, from early years in college or even high school students to ordinary citizens interested in international affairs and from both West and East cultural traditions.Readers, for example, will find the following questions interesting and eager to answer them in their own words.How was the pattern of the balance of power observed over time and across space? Why and how did the Qin Dynasty in China's Warring States Period fail first and succeed later in unifying the continent?What does the Rise of China and the American response portend for the future peace and stability of the world?Are we living in a state of war or peace? Can the liberal international order that seemed to promise a 'perpetual peace' survive and thrive?Which of the hen and the egg is the first? Which of the sovereignty and the anarchy is the first? How is the transformation of the Westphalian system of sovereignty possible and feasible?How can international politics/diplomacy tame domestic politics to correct the intensifying tendency of tribalism?At the end of each chapter, 4-7 points to think and discuss, as possible exam questions, are listed.Table of Contents:Preface page viiChapter 1. Studying IR: What, why, and how? 1Part I. Key Concepts Chapter 2. Political Man and Political Power 17Chapter 3. State, Nation, and Nation-State 41Chapter 4. International Society and International System 69Part II. Theoretical Perspectives Chapter 5. The Structure and Evolution of IR Theories 97Chapter 6. Political Realism: The logic of war 125Chapter 7. International Liberalism: The logic of peace 159Chapter 8. Social Constructivism: The logic of transformation 186Postscript. Let the Dog Wag the Tail, or Diplomacy Tame Politics 219Glossary231References245Index257 Read more