
Great Games, Local Rules
US-China-Russia Competition in Central Asia
Alexander Cooley(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
1st Edition
Published in August 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-0-19-981200-4 (ISBN)
Description
The struggle between Russia and Great Britain over Central Asia in the nineteenth century was the original "great game." But in the past quarter century, a new "great game" has emerged, pitting America against a newly aggressive Russia and a resource-hungry China, all struggling for influence over one of the volatile areas in the world: the long border region stretching from Iran through Pakistan to Kashmir. In Great Games, Local Rules, Alexander Cooley, one of America's most respected Central Asia experts, explores the dynamics of the new competition over the region since 9/11. All three great powers are pursuing important goals: basing rights for the US, access to natural resources for the Chinese, and increased political influence for the Russians. But Central Asian governments have proven themselves powerful forces in their own right, establishing local rules that serve to fend off foreign involvement, enrich themselves and reinforce their sovereign authority. Cooley's careful and surprising explanation of how small states interact with great powers in this vital region greatly advances our understanding of how world politics actually works in this contemporary era.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
General readers interested in relations between the U.S. and China; students and scholars of international relations, American politics, Chinese politics, Asian studies, and international political economy.
Illustrations
charts and maps
10 charts and maps
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-19-981200-4 (9780199812004)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
approx. 08/2012
1st Edition
Oxford University Press Inc
€74.28
Not yet published

E-Book
07/2012
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€21.99
Available for download
Person
Alexander Cooley is the Tow Professor for Distinguished Scholars and Practitioners in the Department of Political Science at Barnard College and Columbia University. His books include Contracting States, Logics of Hierarchy, and Base Politics.
Content
CHAPTER 1: THE NEW MULTIPOLAR POLITICS OF INFLUENCE IN CENTRAL ASIA; CHAPTER 2: LOCAL RULES: THE ORIGINS AND POLITICS OF CENTRAL ASIAN REGIME SURVIVAL; CHAPTER 3: WASHINGTON'S STRATEGY: JUGGLING INTERESTS AND VALUES ON THE ROAD TO AFGHANISTAN; CHAPTER 4: MOSCOW'S STRATEGY: THE QUEST FOR A PRIVILEGED ROLE; CHAPTER 5: BEIJING'S STRATEGY: THE SCO, XINJIANG AND CHINA'S GREAT LEAP WESTWARD; CHAPTER 6: ANTI-TERRORISM, DEMOCRATIZATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS; CHAPTER 7: GEOPOLITICAL COMPETITION AND POLITICAL STABILITY: THE CASE OF KYRGYZSTAN; CHAPTER 8: CORRUPTION AND GOVERNANCE: COMPETITION AND COLLUSION IN CONTRACTING; CHAPTER 9: REGIONAL INTEGRATION: SO MANY PROPOSALS, SO LITTLE COOPERATION; CHAPTER 10: CONCLUSION: CENTRAL ASIA'S MULTIPOLAR POLITICS IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE; APPENDIX 1: LAWS PASSED AFTER COLOR REVOLUTIONS THAT INTRODUCED NEW RESTRICTIONS ON NGOS; AND THE MEDIA; APPENDIX 2: ELECTION MONITOR ASSESSMENTS, ODIHR/SCO/CIS