
Great Games, Local Rules
The New Great Power Contest in Central Asia
Alexander Cooley(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
1st Edition
Published on 6. September 2012
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-0-19-992982-5 (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.
Reviews / Votes
Great Games, Local Rules is a timely contribution ... this concise book (under 200 pages) with handy subheadings every two pages or so is recommended reading for journalists and students who want to brush up on the developments of the last ten years. In turn, Cooley has brought Central Asia to a wider academic audience. * Annabelle Chapman, LSE Review of Books * Alexander Cooley challenges the conventional wisdom about the new 'Great Game' in this wide-ranging and compelling book. * Angela Stent, Survival * It is an important book that deserves to be widely read among scholars of IR who seek to make sense of what 'multipolarity' means today. * John Heathershaw, International Affairs * a highly readable, richly researched and insightful book that explores the increasingly intensifying interaction between China, Russia and the USA. ...Cooley has produced an excellent study of the region that should be required reading for scholars, policy makers, and interested students. * Johannes Olschner, The Royal Society for Asian Affairs *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
16 illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
570 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-992982-5 (9780199929825)
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

E-Book
07/2012
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€21.99
Available for download

John Mueller | Mark Stewart
Terror, Security, and Money
Balancing the Risks, Benefits, and Costs of Homeland Security
Book
12/2011
Oxford University Press Inc
€145.00
Shipment within 15-20 days
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.
Author
Tow Professor for Distinguished Scholars and Practitioners in the Department of Political ScienceTow Professor for Distinguished Scholars and Practitioners in the Department of Political Science, Barnard College
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