| ID | 165321 |
| Title Proper | Diplomacy and controversies in global security studies |
| Other Title Information | the sea power anomaly and soft balancing |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Denemark, Robert A |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | In this work we identify elements of diplomacy as mechanisms with which to sharpen our understanding of security studies and weigh some claims regarding conflict. Diplomatic considerations have long been out of fashion in the field of global politics, and we seek to re- introduce them. In so doing, we situate ourselves within the general context of Goddard and Nexon's reformulation of security studies. We then identify two controversial questions in the security studies literature and consider them with reference to diplomatic interactions. The first of these is the argument raised by Jack Levy and William R. Thompson suggesting that great sea powers generate different balance of power dynamics than great land powers. We find support for the majority of their suggestions. The second controversy, closely associated with the work of T.V. Paul, concerns ‘soft balancing’ and arose to help explain the lack of balancing behaviors relative to the unipolar position of the United States after 1989. Soft balancing is controversial in part because identifying it requires us to understand the specific intent of various foreign policy actions. We use diplomatic activities to address the problem of intent, and find support for soft balancing in the diplomatic record. |
| `In' analytical Note | Journal of Global security Studies Vol. 4, No.2; Apr 2019: p.241–258 |
| Journal Source | Journal of Global security Studies Vol: 4 No 2 |
| Key Words | Balance of power ; Diplomacy ; Soft Balancing ; Sea Powers ; Multilateral Treaties |