Join us on CSS Breakdown: Book by Book, Season 08, Episode 07, as we dissect Chapter 7 on 'Identity' from International History and International Relations by Andrew J. Williams, Amelia Hadfield, and J. Simon Rofe. This episode explores the multifaceted nature of identity as a concept, organizing category, and legitimating principle, highlighting how it signifies both sameness and difference for individuals, groups, and states. We delve into historical perspectives, tracing the evolution of identity from ancient civilizations through to the rise of the modern nation-state, and examine the foundational philosophical ideas from thinkers like Locke, Kant, and Hegel. Discover the debates surrounding political versus cultural nations and how different theories of nationalism—from genesis to modernist and primordialist schools—interpret identity's role. Finally, we explore how identity shapes state behavior and foreign policy, contrasting its treatment in various International Relations theories, including realism, liberalism, and constructivism, and the contemporary understanding of nations as "imagined communities."

In this episode of CSS Breakdown: Book by Book, Season 08, Episode 06, we dissect Chapter 6 of 'International History and International Relations.' This chapter explores the fascinating history and evolution of International Organization (IO), focusing on the two main IOs of the last hundred years: the League of Nations (LON) and the United Nations (UN). Listeners will explore the core subject matter of IO, often claimed as a 'cure' for war and an advocate for peace, and trace how humankind has attempted to organize itself to discourage warlike behavior and encourage peaceful endeavor.

The episode delves into the central debate contrasting liberal internationalist thinking with praxis and realism, examining whether attempts at IO are merely statements of desire for powerful liberal democracies to institutionalize their global power, or if they offer a voice to smaller states and non-governmental organizations. We will discuss the historical antecedents of IOs, from the emergence of the Westphalian state system and the ideas of Enlightenment thinkers like Kant, to the impact of the French Revolution and the Concert of Europe.

The main concepts explored include the rise of functionalism through the work of David Mitrany and its evolution into neo-functionalism by Ernst Haas, focusing on the idea that economic and technical cooperation can lead to political integration. We also examine the significant role of disarmament in the LON's goals and its challenges. The episode analyzes the creation and initial promise of the UN, highlighting its differences from the LON, particularly the role of the Security Council. Furthermore, it covers the historical development of human rights within IOs and the contemporary debates surrounding humanitarian intervention, tracing its roots in liberal imperialism and the use of collective security. Discover how the idea of international cooperation has continuously adapted amidst the realities of power dynamics and conflict, and reflect on whether these global bodies truly aim for universal good or primarily serve the interests of the powerful.

In this Season 08, Episode 05 of CSS Breakdown: Book by Book, we delve into Chapter 5, 'Empire,' from International History and International Relations by Andrew J. Williams, Amelia Hadfield, and J. Simon Rofe. This episode moves beyond casual uses of the term 'empire' to explore its profound implications in International Relations. We'll unpack how the concept of empire has been defined and re-evaluated over time, examining its often-contradictory legacies of multiracialism and religious tolerance versus condemnation and war. Listeners will journey through various historical empires, from the Greek and Roman to the Mongol, British, Russian-Soviet, and the intriguing debate surrounding the American 'empire'. We explore core themes like the interplay of power and ideas, how empires create the notion of the 'other,' and the recurring question of why empires decline and collapse. Join us as we consider if empire, despite its complex history, offers alternative insights into global order and political life.