Adrian Guelke Bücher

Examining the evolution of terrorism, this book questions whether the 9/11 attacks marked a significant shift in political violence or if it remains rooted in historical patterns of small group activism against perceived imperialism. It analyzes global perceptions and responses to terrorism, highlighting how groups can engage in peace processes and governance. Through case studies of attacks in various cities, the author argues that while fear and perceptions may have changed, the fundamental nature of terrorism has not. This work is essential for students, policymakers, and general readers interested in conflict resolution.

The establishment of durable, democratic institutions constitutes one of the major challenges of our age. As countless contemporary examples have shown, it requires far more than simply the holding of free elections. The consolidation of a legitimate constitutional order is difficult to achieve in any society, but it is especially problematic in societies with deep social cleavages. This book provides an authoritative and systematic analysis of the politics of so-called 'deeply divided societies' in the post Cold War era. From Bosnia to South Africa, Northern Ireland to Iraq, it explains why such places are so prone to political violence, and demonstrates why - even in times of peace - the fear of violence continues to shape attitudes, entrenching divisions in societies that already lack consensus on their political institutions. Combining intellectual rigour and accessibility, it examines the challenge of establishing order and justice in such unstable environments, and critically assesses a range of political options available, from partition to power-sharing and various initiatives to promote integration. The Politics of Deeply Divided Societies is an ideal resource for students of comparative politics and related disciplines, as well as anyone with an interest in the dynamics of ethnic conflict and nationalism.

This comprehensive and original study is the first to explain in detail how the Good Friday Agreement ran into trouble, why we are still some way from a final settlement, but why a return to war is most unlikely--even in an age where global terror now threatens world order more seriously than at any time in the past. This new edition of an established, authoritative text will be essential reading for students, researchers and academics of Irish politics, conflict and peace studies, and international relations.

Focusing on the aftermath of the political settlements in Northern Ireland and South Africa during the 1990s, this book analyzes the transformations within these divided societies. It explores the impact of these agreements, highlighting the comparative aspects that contributed to their unique paths toward peace and stability. The examination provides insights into the complexities of political reconciliation and the ongoing challenges faced by both regions in their quest for lasting harmony.

The book explores the expanding field of ethnicity and politics from various perspectives, including the subject's nature, theoretical approaches, and political implications. It highlights the increasing importance of identity, particularly ethnicity, in both domestic and international contexts, paralleling the surge in scholarly research. The chapters, authored by experts in the international scholarly network, assess the contributions of this literature to comparative politics within political science. The text rigorously interrogates the meaning of ethnic terminology and critically examines major theoretical frameworks in the study of ethnicity and politics. It discusses approaches to ethnic diversity under the themes of accommodation and integration, while also analyzing the impact of significant global events over the past 25 years—such as the end of the Cold War, 9/11, and the global economic downturn—on the field. Additionally, it reviews the output of scholarly publications addressing ethnicity and politics. Key topics include ethnic and national mobilization, the politics of accommodation and integration in democratic states, and the current landscape of research in this area.