Problem Society

Niki J.P. Alsford is Professor of Anthropology and Human Geography and Director of Asia Pacific Institutes at the University of Central Lancashire, UK. He is a Research Associate at the Centre of Taiwan Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and an Associate Member of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford, UK. In 2023, he was selected as the prestigious Ewha Global Fellow at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea.Fatimaah J. Menefee is a PhD candidate at the International Institute of Korean Studies (IKSU) at the University of Central Lancashire, UK. Before academia, she worked in the applied public health field for the Municipality of Anchorage Health Department in the United States.

As a student in Professor Niki Alsford’s Divided Nations class, I was witness to how understanding divided nations and conflict is increasingly crucial to better comprehending our world through a more critical lens. His teaching provided an invaluable framework for analysing global governance and contemporary political tensions. The highlight of his class was our analysis of carefully curated documentaries and films, including exclusive Q&As with their creators, which taught us to more critically engage with the media that we consume, such as by questioning the funding sources and examining whose voices are being represented. I’m delighted to see this approach captured in the textbook’s “Watch and Chill Vibes” sections. His textbook, all in all, captures his unique teaching approaches, making it an essential resource for anyone seeking to comprehend the intricate dynamics of divided nations and conflict resolution in our interconnected world.Mariama Sekloawu, MA Graduate in North Korean Studies, University of Central LancashireNiki Alsford's modern, engaging approach brings this complex subject to life by drawing on recent significant events to illustrate critical societal issues. As a former student who took this class, I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone interested in understanding the discontents of modern society and the forces driving division between nations.Abby Counsell, MA North Korean Studies, University of Central LancashireIn an age when textbooks might be seen as less critical, this volume brings clarity, organisation, and creativity to the teaching of divided nations. With insightful questions and activities covering various topics, from history to human geography to anthropology, it is a thorough guide to understanding fracture and reconciliation.Dr Virginie Grzelczyk, Reader in International Relations, Aston University

• 1 Introduction 2 Reconciling the Global, National, and Local 3 The Problem of the Individual 4 The Problem of Resolution 5 The Problem of Conflict 6 The Problem of Compromised Governance 7 The Problem of Peacekeeping 8 The Problem of Truth 9 The Problem of Surveillance 10 Reviewing the Situation