Political Science & Geography Faculty Books

A gallery of books by faculty in the Department of Political Science and Geography, College of Arts & Letters, Old Dominion University.

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

The Petroleum Triangle: Oil, Globalization, and Terror
2011
Steve A. Yetiv

In The Petroleum Triangle, Steve A. Yetiv tells the interconnected story of oil, globalization, and terrorism. Yetiv asks how Al-Qaeda, a small band of terrorists, became such a real and perceived threat to American and global security, a threat viewed as profound enough to motivate the strongest power in world history to undertake extraordinary actions, including two very costly wars… [From Amazon.com]
The United Nations in Latin America: Aiding Development
2010
Francis Adams

The United Nations has increased its worldwide efforts to promote sustainable development. In this book, noted scholar Francis Adams examines the United Nations' actions in Latin America, particularly in light of meeting basic human needs, promoting gender equity, and preserving natural environments. While previous books have focused on a single UN agency, this book is the first to analyze the development work of various UN institutions and agencies that sponsor economic and social programs in the developing world as well as the UN's various funding initiatives, global conferences, and institutional goals. This book will be a necessary addition for students and scholars of Latin American politics and Development.
African Americans and Global aAfairs Contemporary Perspectives
2010
Michael L. Clemons (Editor)

The repression historically faced by African Americans has had an important effect on the nature of the group’s participation in foreign affairs. This book offers a much-needed and long-overdue survey of the field, setting the stage for further exploration and analysis. Chapters discuss the Congressional Black Caucus and TransAfrica Forum; African American political organizations and Africa; Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice; the evaporation of strong black voices in events such as those in Rwanda and Darfur; and self-critical Pan Africanism... [From Amazon.com]
White House Politics and the Environment: Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush
2010
Byron W. Daynes and Glen Sussman

Presidents and their administrations since the 1960s have become increasingly active in environmental politics, despite their touted lack of expertise and their apparent frequent discomfort with the issue. In White House Politics and the Environment: Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush, Byron W. Daynes and Glen Sussman study the multitude of resources presidents can use in their attempts to set the public agenda. They also provide a framework for considering the environmental direction and impact of U.S. presidents during the last seven decades, permitting an assessment of each president in terms of how his administration either aided or hindered the advancement of environmental issues… [From Amazon.com]
The Politics of Destroying Surplus Small Arms: Inconspicuous Disarmament
2010
Aaron Karp (Editor)

Although it receives much less attention than better known disarmament processes, the destruction of small arms is reshaping the military arsenals of the world. Out of roughly 200 modern military small arms world-wide, about 500,000 are destroyed every year. The commitment of major governments and international organizations makes small arms destruction is a permanent addition to the global disarmament repertoire. But the prospects for greater military small arms disarmament may be declining, as war in Afghanistan and Iraq create unprecedented demand for second-hand weaponry... [From Amazon.com]
Old Nations, New Voters: Nationalism, Transnationalism, and Democracy in the Era of Global Migration
2008
David Earnest

In this groundbreaking study, David C. Earnest analyzes why democracies give noncitizens the right to vote. Bringing together theoretical debates in international relations and comparative politics about globalization, sovereignty, nationalism, citizenship, and state building, he examines how twenty-five democracies are coping with growing populations of immigrants who increasingly demand political rights. Earnest employs statistical analyses, along with case studies, to uncover surprising facts that national courts are not necessarily progressive and that the left-right differences of political parties disguise intriguing coalitions that may either welcome or marginalize immigrants. The author concludes that rather than undermining the rights of citizens, the enfranchisement of noncitizens reflects shared national myths. In this respect, when faced with growing migration, old nations welcome new voters in ways that reinforce the bond between the nation and state." [From Amazon.com]
Trading Away Our Future: How to Fix Our Government-Driven Trade Deficits and Faulty Tax System Before it's Too Late
2008
Raymond L. Richman, Howard B. Richman, and Jesse T. Richman

We are Trading Away Our Future and most economists have been caught with their heads in the sand. They think that the trade deficits are the result of free market forces. But the trade deficits are caused by foreign government currency manipulations and the foolish subsidies that the US tax system gives to foreign savings.
The American People know that something is wrong. They know that the Chinese and Japanese governments manipulate their currencies to steal American industries. They are intrigued by Governor Huckabee's endorsement of the Fair Tax, a proposal that would abolish the IRS, renew American investment, Strengthen the dollar, and help solve the trade deficits.
If nothing is done, then resolutely nondemocratic China will replace the United States as the world's premier power. In this book the Richmans explain solutions that are within our grasp. [Amazon.com]
Architects of Delusion: Europe, America, and the Iraq War
2008
Simon Serfaty

The commencement of war in Iraq in 2003 was met with a variety of reactions around the globe. In Architects of Delusion, Simon Serfaty presents a historical analysis of how and why the decision to wage war was endorsed by some of America's main European allies, especially Britain, and opposed by others, especially France and Germany… [From Amazon.com]
A Recast Partnership?: institutional Dimensions of Transatlantic Relations
2008
Simon Serfaty (Editor)

Forty years ago, at the peak of the Cold War, Henry Kissinger noted the "troubled" state of the transatlantic partnership, which he called "the most constructive American foreign policy since the end of World War II." A few years later, Kissinger called for new initiatives--"a fresh act of creation"--that would respond to "new problems and new opportunities" in ways equal to those undertaken by the postwar generation of leaders of Europe and America after 1945. The essays in this new CSIS volume do just that. Each of the authors--leading authorities on the Euro-Atlantic community--assesses the current state of transatlantic relations, questions where we are heading, and reflects on how best to proceed… [From Amazon.com]
Global Insurgency and the Future of Armed Conflict: Debating Fourth-Generation Warfare
2008
Terry Terriff (Editor), Aaron Karp (Editor), and Reginia Karp (Editor)

This volume covers a timely debate in contemporary security studies: can armed forces adjust to the rising challenge of insurgency and terrorism, the greatest transformation in warfare since the birth of the international system? Containing essays by leading international security scholars and military professionals, it explores the Fourth-Generation Warfare thesis and its implications for security planning in the twenty-first century. No longer confined to the fringes of armed conflict, guerrilla warfare and terrorism increasingly dominate world-wide military planning. For the first time since the Vietnam War ended, the problems of insurgency have leapt to the top of the international security agenda and virtually all countries are struggling to protect themselves against terrorist threats. Coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq are bogged down by an insurgency, and are being forced to rely on old warfare tactics rather than modern technologies to destroy their adversaries. These theorists argue that irregular warfare―insurgencies and terrorism―has evolved over time and become progressively more sophisticated and difficult to defeat as it is not centered on high technology and state of the art weaponry. [From Amazon.com]
The Absence of Grand Strategy: The United States in the Persian Gulf, 1972-2005
2008
Steve A. Yetiv

Analyzing the evolution of the United States' foreign policy in the Persian Gulf from 1972 to 2005, Yetiv offers a provocative and panoramic view of American strategies in a region critical to the functioning of the entire global economy. Ten cases―from the policies of the Nixon administration to George W. Bush's war in Iraq―reveal shifting, improvised, and reactive policies that were responses to unanticipated and unpredictable events and threats. In fact, the distinguishing feature of the U.S. experience in the Gulf has been the absence of grand strategy… [From Amazon.com]
Race, Ethnicity, and the Politics of City Redistricting: Minority-Opportunity Districts and the Election of Hispanics and Blacks to City Councils
2004
Joshua G. Behr

Nationwide study of the proposal and adoption of minority-opportunity districts at the local level. Why do cities with similar minority populations vary greatly in the adoption of minority-opportunity districts and, by extension, differ in the number of elected Hispanic and black representatives? Through in-depth research of the districting processes of more than 100 cities, Race, Ethnicity, and the Politics of City Redistricting provides the first nationwide study of minority-opportunity districts at the local level. Joshua G. Behr explores the motives of the players involved, including incumbent legislators, Department of Justice officials, and organized interests, while investigating the roles that segregation, federal oversight, litigation, partisan elections, and resource disparity, among others, play in the election of Hispanics and blacks. Behr's book documents—for both theorists and practitioners—the necessary conditions for enhancing minority-opportunity districts at the local level…. [From Amazon.com]
Crude Awakenings: Global Oil Security and American Foreign Policy
2004
Steve A. Yetiv

The real story of global oil over the past twenty-five years is not about the spillover effects of Palestinians fighting Israelis, or terrorist attacks on U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, or Iraq's stormy relationship with Kuwait. It is not even about periodic small- and large-scale U.S. attacks on Iraq. Rather, the real story is about longer-term developments that have changed the international relations of the Middle East, politics at the global level, and world oil markets. These developments have increased oil stability. [From the Introduction]
Deepening Democracy: Global Governance and Political Reform in Latin America
2003
Francis Adams

Adams surveys the impact of transnational organizations and NGOs on Latin American politics since 1990. The transition from military to civilian rule in Latin American countries has benefited local progressive forces, but resilient remnants favoring the past's authoritarian politics have compelled organizations like the UN, IMF, OAS, and World Bank to engage in various campaigns to deepen democratic institutions and norms. Adams argues that to understand current political transformations in the region, one must consider the existing role of external organizations. Latin America is offered as a prime example of the increased influence transnational authorities have over political decisions that had long been the exclusive prerogative of national governments… [From Amazon.com]
Dollar Diplomacy: United States Economic Assistance to Latin America
2000
Francis Adams

United States economic assistance programs in Latin America have been frequently restructured since the 1960s. This volume examines the evolution of US aid to the region, describes and explains US aid policy towards Latin America, and accounts for changes in the aid regime since 1960. While US aid policy typically reflects developmental, political and economic motivations, the relative weight of each motive can only be understood through close analysis of the broader historical context. In conclusion, the book reviews the most pressing social and economic problems in Latin America, and advances a set of policy recommendations for reforming United States assistance policy in the 21st century. [From amazon.com]
Globalization and the Dilemmas of the State in the South
1999
Francis Adams, Satya Dev Gupta, and Kidana Mengisteab

Globalization poses a formidable dilemma for the third-world state. While there are compelling external pressures to liberalize domestic economies, market-oriented reforms threaten the economic well-being of various societal groups. Popular resistance to these reforms has been strong throughout the developing world. This volume examines the political strategies employed by third world governments to maintain programs in the face of domestic opposition. [From Amazon.com]
The Persian Gulf Crisis
1997
Steve A. Yetiv

Ideal for student research, this book provides a reference guide to the war as well as seven essays analyzing a variety of aspects of the war and its consequences. The essays address questions such as: How did Saddam Hussein become such a major threat and how has he survived the war? How critical was George Bush in driving U.S. and global foreign policy during the crisis? How were key decisions made? Did the war fail or succeed in retrospect? What were its long-run political, economic, strategic and cultural effects? Can collective security work? Is the United Nations likely to be effective in future crises? What lessons can be learned from the crisis? Yetiv draws on primary documents and extensive interviews with many key players such as Colin Powell, James Baker, and Brent Scowcroft, and Arab and European leaders which cast new light on the event… [From Amazon.com]
Ballistic Missile Proliferation: The Politics and Technics
1996
Aaron Karp

This book addresses the current concern that ballistic missile technologies are spreading throughout the world. It examines the missile and missile-armament programs and technologies, and the ability of countries to acquire such technologies. The concluding chapter investigates international efforts to control ballistic missile proliferation.
America and the Persian Gulf: The Third Party Dimension in World Politics
1995
Steve A. Yetiv

This study examines how the Iranian revolution, the war in Afghanistan, the Iran-Iraq war and Iraq's invasion of Kuwait affected American security in the Persian Gulf. It shows how regional conflicts in the Middle East made the US better able to protect its own security interests in the area.
Central and Eastern Europe: The Challenge of Transition
1993
Regina Cowen Karp (Editor)

The challenges and dilemmas posed to stability in the former Soviet Union, and Central and Eastern Europe by the collapse of Communist rule are undisputedly wide-ranging. Recognizing the need to adopt an approach that does justice to a momentous process of change, this book focuses on the security implications of continuing developments in the political, social, economic, and military spheres. The heart of the book is a set of case studies examining in detail the situation in a number of countries: Hungary, Poland, the Czech and Slovak republics, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltic states, the Balkan region, and the former Yugoslavia. As an introduction to the case studies, a section of essays astutely assesses recent developments in Central and Eastern Europe from a broader thematic perspective, focusing on the role of European organizations in the ethnic conflicts currently prevalent throughout the region. [From Amazon.com]
Security Without Nuclear Weapons?: Different Perspectives on Non-Nuclear Security
1992
Regina Cowen Karp (Editor)

This book examines the question: Is the elimination of nuclear weapons feasible? Individual chapters address the major conceptual, technical, and economic issues in the design of a non-nuclear security regime. Other chapters explore more specialized issues as they relate to the feasibility of the elimination of nuclear weapons: elite perceptions and the decision-making process, verification, nuclear proliferation, fissile materials and warheads, alliance and regional hegemonies, and deterrence.