Interrogating International Relations

India's Strategic Practice and the Return of History

Nonfiction, History, Military, Strategy, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations
Cover of the book Interrogating International Relations by Jayashree Vivekanandan, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jayashree Vivekanandan ISBN: 9781136703850
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: March 12, 2012
Imprint: Routledge India Language: English
Author: Jayashree Vivekanandan
ISBN: 9781136703850
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: March 12, 2012
Imprint: Routledge India
Language: English

The book interrogates the disciplinary biases and firewalls that inform mainstream international relations today, and problematises the several tropes that have come to typify the strategic histories of post-colonial societies such as India. Questioning a range of long-held cultural representations on India, the book challenges such portrayals and underscores the centrality of context and contingency in any cultural explanation of state behaviour. It argues for a historico-cultural understanding of power and critiques IR’s tendency to usher in a selective ‘return of history’.

Taking two contrasting case studies from medieval Indian history, the book assesses the success and failure of the grand strategy pursued by the Mughal empire under Akbar. The study emphasises his grand strategy of accommodation, defined by the interplay of critical variables such as distance and the vast military labour market. The book also looks at his conscious attempt to indigenise power by projecting himself as the personification of the ideal Hindu king. This case study helps to contextualise the many critical transitions that occurred in international relations: from medieval empires to the modern state system, and from an indigenised, experiential understanding of power to its absolute, abstract manifestations in the colonial state.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The book interrogates the disciplinary biases and firewalls that inform mainstream international relations today, and problematises the several tropes that have come to typify the strategic histories of post-colonial societies such as India. Questioning a range of long-held cultural representations on India, the book challenges such portrayals and underscores the centrality of context and contingency in any cultural explanation of state behaviour. It argues for a historico-cultural understanding of power and critiques IR’s tendency to usher in a selective ‘return of history’.

Taking two contrasting case studies from medieval Indian history, the book assesses the success and failure of the grand strategy pursued by the Mughal empire under Akbar. The study emphasises his grand strategy of accommodation, defined by the interplay of critical variables such as distance and the vast military labour market. The book also looks at his conscious attempt to indigenise power by projecting himself as the personification of the ideal Hindu king. This case study helps to contextualise the many critical transitions that occurred in international relations: from medieval empires to the modern state system, and from an indigenised, experiential understanding of power to its absolute, abstract manifestations in the colonial state.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Griselda Pollock's Vision and Difference by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book Tradition, Culture and Development in Africa by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book Trademarks, Brands, and Competitiveness by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book Play, Dreams And Imitation In Childhood by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book An Archaeology of Skill by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book Crusading in the Age of Joinville by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book Consumption by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book Our Energy Future by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book Disability and/in Prose by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book Communicating at the End of Life by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book In Search of the Good Society by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book Barcelona: An Urban History of Science and Modernity, 1888-1929 by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book Social Theory and Social Practice by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book Practical DV Filmmaking by Jayashree Vivekanandan
Cover of the book Dialogue Editing for Motion Pictures: A Guide to the Invisible Art by Jayashree Vivekanandan
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy