Suchergebnisse

The end of communism brought hopes for a wholesale liberal-democratic transformation to the republics of the former Soviet Union. However, bitter disenchantment soon followed, as resurrected nationalism undermined the republics' stability and threatened democracy. Mass nationalist movements in these countries were not observed until the regime's initial liberalization. In most cases, the high phase of nationalist mobilization was reached only after the postcommunist state elites endorsed nationalism as an official policy of the state. In each instance, nationalist strategies of the state were defined in a complex interplay of domestic and international factors. Ethnicity became politicized as a resource for political action when other resources proved inadequate or insufficient. In addition, exogenous factors often played a leading role in this development.

Abstract
International political economy and global politics at large are increasingly driven by struggles over control of energy resources. The energy reserves of the Central Asia-Caspian region are fast becoming a focal point for these struggles. The exploration and development of oil and gas deposits can be realized in a variety of ways, some of which promote security and sustainability, while others open the gates for potential intrastate and interstate conflicts. Productivity growth and sustainable development can only be achieved on the basis of international cooperation that requires everyone to follow certain mutually agreeable "rules of the game." These rules, and the institutions that support them, should ideally form the backbone of an international governance structure that will promote not only peace and development, but also technological progress and social stability. This study demonstrates a connection between international politicaleconomic cooperation, on the one hand, and technological growth and social advancement of the region, on the other hand. It offers an analysis of the potential consequences of a cooperative regime for technological progress in the energy sector of the Central Asia-Caspian region. It shows that establishment of a cooperative energy regime in the region will lead to a technological breakthrough, as manifested by significant productivity growth, decreased unit cost of energy, and technological advancements in the energy sector itself and across the economy.

pt. 1. Introduction -- pt. 2. Classical theories of political leadership -- pt. 3. Contemporary theories of political leadership -- pt. 4. Studies of national political leadership -- pt. 5. Studies of international organization and global issues leadership -- pt. 6. Studies of political leadership and society -- pt. 7. The future of political leadership.

"Discussing the major theories of political leadership with a focus on contemporary challenges that political leaders face worldwide, this research companion provides a comprehensive and up-to-date resource for an international readership. The editors combine empirical and normative approaches to emphasize the centrality of political culture, as well as the limits of culture and the universal demands of innovative adaptation. The volume examines: classical and contemporary theories of political leadership; great leadership, both national and international; politically influential religions and religious-political leadership; social movements' leadership; tensions between political leadership and other forms of leadership (e.g. judicial, corporate); and, postmodern and feminist challenges to traditional notions of political leadership. Above all, this volume is a guide for further research in political leadership theories, comparative case studies of political leadership, and the clarification of future contexts for political leadership."--Publisher description

"Strategic Relationships in Post-Communist Foreign Policies" published on by Oxford University Press.