Maxwell A. Cameron and Grace M. Jaramillo, editors

Although military coups are rare in the Andean countries, democracies remain prone to deep political crises caused by elected leaders (especially strongmen, or caudillos) who abuse their power—often with broad public approval. What explains this phenomenon? The authors of Challenges to Democracy in the Andes propose answers to this question. Offering an analytical framework that  More >

Janusz Bugajski

Attempts to transform the Russian Federation into a nation state, a civic state, or a stable imperial state have failed, argues Janusz Bugajski. Paradoxically, though Vladimir Putin assumed power to prevent Russia's disintegration, he may be remembered best for precipitating the country's demise. Bugajski considers the factors contributing to a possible Russian state collapse, among  More >

Louise A. Tumchewics, editor

"Avoid cities or die within" has been the prevailing attitude in the military when it comes to waging war in urban areas. So why do armies continue to fight there? What tactical advantages do they seek? What pitfalls do they face, and how can they achieve success? The authors of Small Armies, Big Cities tackle these strategic questions, drawing on a range of cases to explore how  More >

Min-Hua Chiang, editor

Driven by foreign investments and exports, the economies of many East Asian countries have seen dramatic growth—but North Korea has lagged behind. Why? What are the country's prospects for development? In what ways do its external relations affect its domestic economy? To answer these questions, the authors of The Political Economy of North Korea delve deeply into the economic  More >

Diego Esparza

Though police are supposed to serve and protect, they all too often rob and abuse. Why? And what can be done about it? That is the central puzzle addressed in this book. Drawing on the disparate cases of Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, Diego Esparza analyzes why some countries' police forces are more corrupt than others and considers what policy initiatives can turn an abusive police force  More >

Roger N. McDermott

Roger McDermott traces the origins and trajectory of Moscow's modernization of its armed forces to exploit technology and adopt new approaches to warfare. Drawing extensively on primary sources, McDermott explores the role of Russian military thought in the modernization process, changes in military decisionmaking, developments stemming from Russian military operations in Syria, and other  More >

Rita Kiki Edozie and Moses Khisa

The African Union's threat to lead African states' mass withdrawal from the International Criminal Court in 2008 marked just one of many encounters that demonstrate African leaders' growing confidence and activism in international relations. Rita Kiki Edozie and Moses Khisa explore the myriad ways in which the continent's diplomatic engagement and influence in the global arena has  More >

Stephen D. Morris

Continuing his deep study of the nature of political corruption, in his new book Stephen Morris confronts a fundamental dilemma: How can we control power, when power essentially determines what we can, and cannot, control? More specifically, how can we control the power of those actors who use that very power to influence our understanding of corruption and shape our efforts to fight it, all in  More >

December Green and Laura Luehrmann

December Green and Laura Luehrmann show how history, economics, and politics converge to create the realities of life in the Global South. In this new edition, the authors continue to offer an innovative blend of theory and empirical material as they introduce the politics of what was once called the "third world." They consistently link theoretical concepts to a set of eight  More >

John Allen Williams, Stephen J. Cimbala, and Sam C. Sarkesian

Choice Outstanding Academic Book! The main focus of US national security policy has shifted dramatically since the years of the Obama administration, moving away from nation building and counterinsurgency efforts and toward preparing for traditional state-on-state conflict with powerful peers. The sixth edition of US National Security reflects that change. It also addresses such current issues  More >