Africa's notorious civil wars and seemingly endless conflicts constitute one of the most intractable threats to global peace and security in the post-Cold War era. This book provides both a superb analysis of the historical dysfunction of the postcolonial African state generally and, more specifically, a probing critique of the crisis that resulted in the tragic collapse of Liberia. Using a historical deconstruction and reconstruction of the theories and practice of international law and politics, Ikechi Mgbeoji ultimately shows that blame for this endless cycle of violence must be laid at the feet of both the Western powers and African states themselves. He further posits that three measures--a reconstructed regime of African statehood, legitimate governance, and reform of the United Nations Security Council--are imperative for the creation of a stable African polity. Collective Insecurity will be of interest to students and practitioners of international law and international relations, and those with an interest in security studies, politics, and African studies.

This book provides both a superb analysis of the historical dysfunction of the post-colonial African state generally and, more specifically, a probing critique of the crisis that resulted in the tragic collapse of Liberia. Ikechi Mgbeoji ultimately shows that blame for this endless cycle of violence must be laid at the feet of both the Western powers and African states themselves. He further posits that a reconstructed regime of African statehood, legitimate governance, and reform of the United Nations Security Council are imperatives for the creation of a stable African polity.

This book analyzes the issue of food insecurity in Europe. It highlights the role played by cities in promoting resilient, solidarity-based and food and nutritionally safe communities. The focus will be on three different local initiatives in Rome, Barcelona and Athens and on the relations between civil society and local public institutions in order to tackle with the food insecurity challenges. The research is aimed at understanding the paradox of food insecurity in wealthy societies. The focus will be on three European countries: Italy, Spain and Greece. An in-depth analysis on collective actions of solidarity to tackle food insecurity, will assess whether the initiatives are capabilities-oriented or merely compensating for shortcomings. Moreover, the contributions to the definition of a new food policy “by” and “for” the cities will be highlighted.

An ambitious account of the corrosion of liberal democracy in rich and poor countries alike, arguing that antidemocratic sentiment reflects fear of material and cultural loss, not a critique of liberalism’s failure to deliver equality, and suggesting possible ways out. The retreat of liberal democracy in the twenty-first century has been impossible to ignore. From Wisconsin to Warsaw, Budapest to Bangalore, the public is turning against pluralism and liberal institutions and instead professing unapologetic nationalism and majoritarianism. Critics of inequality argue that this is a predictable response to failures of capitalism and liberalism, but Pranab Bardhan, a development economist, sees things differently. The problem is not inequality but insecurity—financial and cultural. Bardhan notes that antidemocratic movements have taken root globally in a wide range of demographic and socioeconomic groups. In the United States, older, less-educated, rural populations have withdrawn from democracy. But in India, the prevailing Hindu Nationalists enjoy the support of educated, aspirational urban youth. And in Europe, antidemocratic populists firmly back the welfare state (but for nonimmigrants). What is consistent among antidemocrats is fear of losing what they have. That could be money but is most often national pride and culture and the comfort of tradition. A World of Insecurity argues for context-sensitive responses. Some, like universal basic income schemes, are better suited to poor countries. Others, like worker empowerment and international coordination, have broader appeal. But improving material security won’t be enough to sustain democracy. Nor, Bardhan writes, should we be tempted by the ultimately hollow lure of China’s authoritarian model. He urges liberals to adopt at least a grudging respect for fellow citizens’ local attachments. By affirming civic forms of community pride, we might hope to temper cultural anxieties before they become pathological.

This book argues that during the Spanish Civil War, the European democracies deployed a policy of 'non-intervention', the effect of which wiped out Spanish democracy and led to the rise of international fascism.

This volume asks what security means in the Anthropocene era and what political innovations are needed to chart a more sustainable path for global development in the decades to come.

This innovative volume gathers some of the world’s best scholars to analyse the world’s collective international efforts to address globalised threats through global security governance. Addressing global and planetary forms of insecurity that include nuclear weapons, conventional arms, gender violence, climate change, disease, bio weapons, cyber-conflict, children in conflict, crimes against humanity, and refugees, this timely book critiques how they are addressed by global institutions and regimes, and advocates important conceptual, institutional, and policy reforms. This is an invaluable resource for students, scholars and policymakers in international health, security and development.