Journal of International Relations and Development

 

Vol. 3, No 3 (September 2000)

 

Articles

• Russian post-Communist Foreign Policy Thinking at the Cross-Roads: Changing Paradigms
  by Alexander A. Sergounin

This article deals with the evolution of Russian foreign policy thinking during the 1990s. It has three main purposes: first, to distinguish and depict major theoretical approaches and foreign policy schools in the country. Second, to outline the problematique of the Russian foreign policy discourse. Third, to examine the institutional dimension of post-Communist international studies such as the main research, training, library and archival centres as well as professional associations.

• International Relations in the Czech Republic: A Review of the Discipline
  by Petr Drulák and Radka Druláková
  

The article deals with the state of Czech International Relations (IR) studies on three levels of analysis: institutions, articles and books, and practitioners. The methodology is mixed. It is based on comparative analysis (between the institutions), quantitative analysis (books and articles — topics and authors) and interpretative analysis (debates, practitioners). The first level examines the common features and differences of the educational institutions and it also includes an analysis of a research institute. The second level identifies the topics and issue areas most favoured by both specialised journals and by books. It also reviews the most important debates. On the third level, the practitioners are conceptualised as being members of three different generations. The article identifies international history as the prevalent basis of IR studies which is responsible for the relatively weak theoretical background of the discipline. The discipline is also afflicted by a generational gap stemming from a weak middle generation. As for the external influence, Anglo Saxon literature, Germany and the EU play major roles.

Book Reviews

• European Union Law, Vol. 1: Law and EU Government by Damian Chalmers

• European Union Law, Vol. 2: Towards a European Polity by Damian Chalmers and Erika Szyszczak
  

  Reviewed by Irena Brinar

• The European Union as a Global Actor by Charlotte Bretherton and John Vogler

  Reviewd by Anita Stankovi

• Engaging China: The Management of an Emerging Power by Alastair Iain Johnston and Robert S. Ross (eds)

Reviewed by Boris Savle

• Boosting Innovation: The Cluster Approach, OECD Proceedings

Reviewed by Damjan Kavas