Force and Statecraft: Diplomatic Challenges of Our Time

by Paul Gordon Lauren, Gordon A. Craig, Alexander L. George

Force and Diplomatic Challenges of Our Time , Fifth Edition, is a concise historical discussion and insightful analysis of diplomacy. It uniquely combines history, political science, and international law in order to explore how lessons from the rich experience of the past can be
brought to bear on the diplomatic challenges that we confront in our world today.

This new edition combines the cumulative insights and reflections of three internationally renowned scholars--who have written more than fifty books between them--with an astute, stimulating, and up-to-date treatment of recent global developments. These include American foreign policy, the rise of
China, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction in North Korea, and nuclear enrichment in Iran. Significant attention is given to the powerful impact of technology on the "digital revolution," the revolution in military affairs (RMA), drones, eDiplomacy, the "information revolution," cyber security
and WikiLeaks, command and control, surveillance and reconnaissance, and social networking sites. This edition also provides a sophisticated and thought-provoking analysis of "hard" and "soft" power, the "invisibility of security," human rights, ethics, law, legitimacy, and the threat and use of
force as an instrument of statecraft.

Genres: Politics, History, Nonfiction, Political Science, International Relations, European History

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 6, 1983

Reviews

[Tojuan Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for a class, very technical couldn't really enjoy but it is an academic work so that probably explains it.

[Peach P 📆📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

euro-centric diplomatic history. However, I think this book is one of the best introduction to the field of IR. It focuses mainly on ‘Balance of Power’ and lots of case studies. Mainstream IR, that’s it.

[Nael_5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting book reflecting on different challenges and threats that exist nowadays.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Academic mandatory read

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book examines the International nation-state system as it has developed over the past four hundred years. The first half of the book is primarily history focusing on the balance of power system that later evolved into more organized systems like the League of Nations and the United Nations. Several cases studies are included examining times where the balance of power has been disrupted and wars occur. The latter half of the book examines various types of diplomacy (i.e. negotiation, coercion, etc.) and evolving ethical considerations when it comes to war and domestic and international violence.

[Benemint · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is fine, but I just don't like Euro-centric diplomatic history. The first historical part was more interesting than the latter analytical part. I doubt there is any practical use of the lessons that the second half of the book shows to any politicians/diplomats today.

[Nate Ackerly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best beginning diplomacy book on the market.

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book detailing major principles of hard and soft diplomacy, international relations, and the history and development of the state.