This book provides a unique scientific contribution to the debate on Marx's legacy in proposing to critically articulate two "lines of discussion" which are most often kept apart. On the one hand, it reassesses the place of Marxian thought in the construction of Europe, seeking to revitalize the European political debate. On the other, it situates Marx' thought in the perspective of postcolonial and decolonial studies, with particular attention to their effort to overcome the indisputable limits of the Marxian legacy. In asking whether Marx' thought was too European or not European enough, the book examines internationalist emancipatory politics and eurocentrism, class struggle and finance in the shaping of the European institutions, migration, identity and violence, as well as Marxian critiques of colonialism both within and beyond Europe. At a time of extreme tension, also within leftist politics, this book provides a precise and rigorous argument on what continues to make Marx'sthought relevant, in grappling with social domination in the era of global capitalism, while also exploring the limits of Marxism today, both at the European level and worldwide.

Taking the Goki-Shichido (Five Home Provinces and Seven Circuits of Ancient Japan) as a theoretical framework, this book examines shrinking Japan from a regional variation perspective by municipality along the ancient Sannyodo, which comprises eight provinces and four prefectures today. The book identifies the principal explanatory factors based on the small area data of e-Stat through GPS statistical software tools such as G-census and EvaCva, within a historical perspective. This historical knowledge helps in understanding the significance of the regional cultural heritage that remains in each municipality today. The book pays special attention to municipal variations within the same prefecture, presenting a completely unique approach from what other researchers have pursued.

Providing critical perspectives on the future of AI and warfare, this Research Handbook advances important debates surrounding technology and its strategic and humanitarian implications. Contributing authors discuss topics including machine learning algorithms in decisions on the use of force, the definition and feasibility of 'meaningful human control', issues pertaining to data protection and privacy, and states' positive obligations when deploying such systems. Ultimately, the book provides critical insights into one of the most contentious debates of our time and poses vital questions for the future of armed conflict.

Tackling practical issues in a detailed and engaging manner, this Research Handbook is an indispensable resource for students and scholars of international law, political science, technology and security studies. Its examination of crucial legal, ethical and political issues pertaining to the topic will also make it an invaluable read for policymakers and researchers at NGOs and think tanks.

The Research Handbook on Cyberwarfare interrogates cyberwarfare as a form of military intelligence statecraft that seeks to exploit digital systems for operational and strategic advantage. Chapter authors address cyberwarfare in its conceptual, historical, operational and strategic dimensions, and explore the application of international law, norms, ethics and arms control to this area of conflict. They pose crucial questions about the utility of cyberwarfare and its effects on society and citizens, establishing foundations for future research on the topic as a fact of international life.

Providing rich detail in an accessible and understandable manner, this Research Handbook is a vital resource for scholars and researchers of cyber conflict, international relations, and security studies. Its practical elements will also appeal to military and intelligence practitioners, as well as those interested in how cyberwarfare can be regulated to ameliorate its effects on society.

This book analyzes the goals of Western sanctions imposed on Russia from 2014 to 2023. It explores the effects of sanctions on the Russian economy and its political course, as well as the repercussions of the sanctions to the senders and third parties, including spillover effects on neighboring countries and boomerang effects on the senders. While sanctions can be considered relatively effective in terms of economic damage, the Russian economy is far from being crushed. Importantly, sanctions proved to be ineffective as an instrument of foreign policy. They have failed to alter Moscow's resolve to continue its military operation and are unlikely to change it in the near future. The effects of the sanctions extend well beyond their anticipated impact on Russia itself, primarily due to the Western nations' limited experience and knowledge in implementing sanctions against a major power with extensive global connections, such as Russia.

This book offers a much-needed analysis of the difficulties associated with providing state protection from violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Europe. Focusing on Poland as a national case study, encompassed in the broader European context, the book provides a holistic analysis of internal and external factors influencing state-level policy outcomes. By focusing on hate crime advocacy and carefully dissecting it from the rest of the LGBT rights "package," the book fills a gap in queer scholarship, which has overlooked this aspect of mobilisation. The book also examines the emerging international standards and provides a comparative analysis of national laws, policies and practices on anti-LGBT hate crime across Europe. Highlighting variance in outcomes in different areas of LGBT rights, this book considers the role of lesser-known actors and mechanisms who are key in enacting critical policy changes. State Responses to Anti-LGBT Violence provides a critical reflection on the complicated relationships between queer communities and the state.

This book offers a contemporary, cutting-edge, and advanced critical analysis of the first twenty months of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Following a realist approach and with a focus on political discord, economic sanctions, and media limitations, the book sheds light onto the deadlock between the conflicting parties. It dissects the diplomatic endeavors and missteps, varying political perspectives, Western support strategies, and the intricate global dynamics that triggered this existential crisis.

The critical assessment of political antecedents, including the Budapest Memorandum, the Bucharest Summit Declaration, and the Minsk Agreements 1 and 2, uncovers hidden political motives aimed at setting the stage for a proxy war. Additionally, the book scrutinizes the financial dimensions of the conflict, strategies for post-conflict reconstruction, and the emerging Zeitenwende phenomenon reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Global North.

This book's insights suggest a potential shift towards a new multipolar global order, representing a significant realignment in the distribution of geopolitical and geo-economic influence. A must-read for scholars and academics seeking a profound understanding of this pivotal conflict and its far-reaching implications.

The European Union has high ambitions in relation to Africa and in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. One example is the new Africa Strategy, where the EU wants to have a strong partnership with the African Union. Other European policies contribute to the lofty objectives of the EU, which is the world's largest donor of development aid.

The high ambitions are not matched by the implementation. The European policies, shaped by the Commission and the member states, are partly contradictory and hard to fulfill locally in Africa. Furthermore, they are focused on intentions rather than outcomes. The European policies need to be decentered to allow for the African context to play a larger role in the design and execution of policies.

The Sustainable Development Goals call for fundamental transformations, where political and economic development are of great importance to reach the social and environmental goals. This implies greater attention to the drivers and barriers for political and economic transformation in Africa. It also calls for a greater interest in the relationship between donors and recipients, to build trust and to find mutual gain. The EU needs to recognize that it is dependent on its African partners, while it simultaneously wants to influence and revise some of the African policies.

This book explores the variety of forms that individual heroism and sacrifice can take in the context of contemporary military conflicts. It addresses three key questions: How has an enduring ideal of heroism been transformed by the nature of modern warfare? Are we now witnessing the emergence of new forms of exemplary military behavior? And, have new ideals of heroism (and by association, sacrifice or bravery) been added to older forms in the recent past? The book advocates viewing the concept of military heroism as a moral category, in which its theoretical definition and empirical practice reflect those factors that are seen as being vital for society itself. The key theoretical and topical challenges addressed in the respective chapters focus on how ideas of heroism become entwined with issues of individualization (bolstered by the cultural assumptions of neo-Liberalism), the spread of the human rights discourse, and the judicialization, marketization and mediatization of armedforces. The book was written by experts on military studies, including many who are currently active military personnel. It includes contributions from a variety of disciplines, e.g. anthropology, sociology, psychology, and political science.