T.V. Paul:

The Oxford Handbook of Peaceful Change in International Relations ( Oxford University Press, August 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

 

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

______________________________________________________________________

“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.

 

Accommodating Rising Powers (Cambridge University Press, 2016)

“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

‘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 theorising about diplomatic practice. As such, it is a welcome and important volume.’
— Ian Hall, International Affairs

From the back cover of the book:

‘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 Powers illuminates 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 and Senior Fellow for Global Governance, Council on Foreign Relations

Status in World Politics (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), 2015, 1217-19

 

From the back cover of the book:

‘In World War I status disagreements contributed to the war. Once again in the twenty-first 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, Johns Hopkins University

‘Status in World Politics is 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 Politics calls 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

International Relations Theory and Regional Transformation (Cambridge University Press, 2012)

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 Review 11(2), 2013, 257.

 

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 Review 11(2), 2013, 257.

 

From the back cover of the book:

‘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 University

 

John A. Hall

The World of States (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2015)

“A surefooted, well-written, and highly intelligent survey of states across the world. It is easily the best account of modern states because it is fully aware of both the great diversity of states and their inter-relations in a global system of states.”
—Michael Mann, Distinguished Research Professor, UCLA

“Two maestros of political sociology with global reach, John Campbell and John A. Hall, have written the best available and highly accessible account of the state, in the course of which they courteously dispose of many of the clichés of our time.”
—Brendan O’Leary, Lauder Professor of Political Science, University of Pennsylvania

“Full of original insights, evidence, and wisdom, The World of States offers us the most definitive account of today’s world order. Campbell and Hall – two of the world’s foremost theorists of globalization – convincingly show that nation states continue to be centers of power and social cohesion, and that our future will depend on their abilities to manage internal tensions and partial shifts in the balance of power in the international system. Ambitious and convincing, this is social and political writing at its best.”
—Francesco Duina, Profoessor of Sociology at the University of British Columbia

“John Campbell and John Hall have written an audaciously provocative and compelling book. Their argument is deceptively simple – states matter as much as ever, despite intensifying economic globalization and European integration. In sharp and welcome contrast to those who envision withering away of nation states, they convincingly demonstrate the continued primacy of national interests and state power in global politics and political economy. This admirable analysis dazzles and informs offering the sweeping view of history, social theory and contemporary world politics. This book is a must read for specialists and general readers who are interested in understanding the contours of global politics.”
—Grzegorz Ekiert, Professor of Government and Director of the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University

“In a succinct manner, Campbell and Hall present a wide array of theoretical approaches to the nature of the state system in the 21st century. The authors argue that even with the onset of globalization, European integration, the emergence of new capital in formerly colonial dependencies, and geographic alliances with similar economic assets, the state remains the basic unit of analysis in the international political system …This is a potentially useful book for international relations students when there is a need for an infusion of sociology and economics. Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduate and graduate collections.”
—S. R. Silverburg, emeritus, Catawba College, CHOICE

 

Vincent Pouliot

International Pecking Orders (Cambridge University Press, 2016)

‘Pouliot’s book is a welcome contribution to the international relations (IR) literature on the practice of diplomacy. Few works in the scholarly study of IR attempt to rigorously explain how multilateral diplomacy works and its larger effects. Pouliot’s framework for understanding seeks to move beyond structural and agency approaches by integrating social theories to explain diplomacy and outcomes in world politics … In essence, the book seeks to explain ‘social theater’ by looking closely at the practice of diplomacy … Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.’ J. Fields, Choice

From the back cover of the book: 

“With characteristic clarity and conceptual creativity, Pouliot has produced a major contribution to the growing movement to supplant anarchy with hierarchy at the core of the discipline of international relations.”
— Michael  Barnett, University Professor of International Relations and Political Science, George Washington University

“Vincent Pouliot had already emerged as one of the leading international-relations scholars of his generation. In his new book, International Pecking Orders, he once again displays his remarkable ability to seamlessly weave close empirical research with sophisticated -but never inaccessible or overwhelming – theoretical analysis. The result is a must-read for anyone interested in how multilateral diplomacy actually works – that is, how diplomats influence one another and shape political outcomes in international organizations. In consequence, International Pecking Orders stands as a seminal contribution not only to the study of diplomatic practice and multilateralism, but also to our understanding of the dynamics of international hierarchies among states – and those who represent them.”
— Daniel Nexon, Associate Professor, Georgetown University and Lead Editor, International Studies Quarterly.

Diplomacy and the Making of World Politics (Cambridge University Press, 2015)

‘As said of war and generals, diplomacy is too serious a matter to be left to the accredited representatives of the sovereign state. The authors offer new theoretical insights into the symbolic, strategic and institutional importance of traditional diplomacy while acknowledging cell-phone activists, camera-ready celebrities, humanitarian workers and lance corporals in a three-block war as the new faces of diplomacy. This collection has the jolt of an intellectual defibrillator, bringing diplomacy back from a grossly exaggerated death while nurturing emergent forms of global mediation.’ James Der Derian, Director of the Centre for International Security Studies and Michael Hintze Professor of International Security, University of Sydney

‘An interesting anthology of first-rate articles on the traditional and changing functions of diplomatic practices and their contribution to the constitution of world politics and to global governance.’
— Friedrich Kratochwil, Professor Emeritus, European University Institute, Florence

‘A superb collection of essays which goes beyond proclaiming the insight that agents and structures are constituted by practice, and actually puts that insight to work to tell us new, interesting, and useful things about how diplomacy and governance actually operate.’
— Paul Sharp, University of Minnesota, Duluth

 

Frédéric Mérand

European Security Since the Fall of the Berlin Wall (University of Toronto Press, 2011)

‘In a concise and intellectually engaging manner, European Security since the Fall of the Berlin Wall succeeds in illuminating real changes in European security, as well as consequent changes in academic thinking. Frédéric Mérand, Martial Foucault, and Bastien Irondelle clearly and precisely link the different theories and levels of analysis found throughout these essays to develop a convincing new research agenda for complex security phenomena. Readers will easily identify common themes and perspectives in this creative and appealing contribution to research.’
—Markus Kaim, Head of the International Security Division, German Institute for International and Security Affairs

‘Right from its introduction, European Security since the Fall of the Berlin Wall will generate significant “going-in” interest for readers. Each essay contained in this collection represents an excellent piece of scholarship, and an accessible and vital contribution to thinking about contemporary international security problems.’
—Sean Kay, Department of Politics and Government, Ohio Wesleyan University

 

 

 

Impact Factor

Member	Citations count	h-index	i10-index	Books	Edited volumes	Journal articles	Book chapters
T.V. Paul	4789	30	62	7	11	25	33
John Hall	7857	34	72	12	17	66	65
S-M Martin-Brûlé	13	2	0	1	0	4	3
Frédéric Mérand	1548	18	28	2	2	37	25
Vincent Pouliot	3435	22	31	3	3	19	14
TOTAL	17642	NA	NA	24	32	151	140