Shahrbanou Tadjbakhsh – författare

This book, now available in paperback, traces the key evolutions in the development of the concept of human security, the various definitions and critiques, how it relates to other concepts, and what it implies for polities, politics, and policy. Human security is an important subject for the whole world, in particular Asia, as it deals with interactions among fields of social change, such as development, conflict resolution, human rights, and humanitarian assistance. In a globalizing world, in which threats become trans-national and states lose power, security can no longer be studied in a one-dimensional fashion. Written by authors who are experts in this field and with case studies from different regions (Afghanistan, Central Asia and South Asia) presented throughout, this book - now available in paperback - contributes to this new multidimensional conception of security, analyzes its strengths and weaknesses, and focuses on its implications for analysis and action.

This book, now available in paperback, traces the key evolutions in the development of the concept of human security, the various definitions and critiques, how it relates to other concepts, and what it implies for polities, politics, and policy. Human security is an important subject for the whole world, in particular Asia, as it deals with interactions among fields of social change, such as development, conflict resolution, human rights, and humanitarian assistance. In a globalizing world, in which threats become trans-national and states lose power, security can no longer be studied in a one-dimensional fashion. Written by authors who are experts in this field and with case studies from different regions (Afghanistan, Central Asia and South Asia) presented throughout, this book - now available in paperback - contributes to this new multidimensional conception of security, analyzes its strengths and weaknesses, and focuses on its implications for analysis and action.

This book presents a critical analysis of the liberal peace project and offers possible alternatives and models.In the past decade, the model used for reconstructing societies after conflicts has been based on liberal assumptions about the pacifiying effects of 'open markets' and 'open societies'. Yet, despite the vast resources invested in helping establish the precepts of this liberal peace, outcomes have left much to be desired. The book argues that failures in the liberal peace project are not only due to efficiency problems related to its adaptation in adverse local environments, but mostly due to problems of legitimacy of turning an ideal into a doctrine for action. The aim of the book is to scrutinize assumptions about the value of democratization and marketization and realities on the ground by combining theoretical discussions with empirical evidence from key post-conflict settings such as Iraq and Afghanistan. These show the disparities that exist between the ideals and the reality of the liberal peace project, as seen by external peacebuilders and domestic actors. The book then proposes various alternatives and modifications to better accommodate local perspectives, values and agency in attempts to forge a new consensus. This book will be of great interest to students of peacebuilding/peacekeeping, statebuilding, war and conflict studies, international security and IR.

This textbook helps students analyse the causes of violent extremism using different disciplinary approaches, and suggests concrete solutions from those perspectives.Why do individuals join violent extremist movements? This book approaches that question through seven disciplinary lenses: security, ideology, sociology, socio-economics, psychology, gender, and youth. Rather than privileging one explanation, it shows how these perspectives complement each other and why effective responses depend on combining them. The book is built on a simple premise: you cannot respond to violent extremism without first understanding what drives it. Each chapter maps the push and pull factors behind radicalisation and traces their implications for prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation. To show the frameworks at work on real lives, the book includes profiles of six individuals who became involved in extremist movements. Each chapter is structured to guide students through the material step by step, combining conceptual frameworks with case studies, real-world profiles, and discussion questions that push beyond comprehension into genuine debate. Written for students who want to think seriously about one of the most pressing security challenges of our time, this book offers both analytical depth and practical tools.The book will be of great interest to students of political violence, sociology, psychology, criminology, International Relations and public policy, as well as to practitioners working in counter-terrorism, preventing violent extremism, and the security sector.