*** MARIO TELO: Relations Internationales. Une perspective européenne. Editions de l'Université de Bruxelles (26 av. Paul Héger, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: ( 32-2) 6503799 - Fax: 6503794 - E-mail: editions@admin.ulb.ac.be - Internet: http://www.editions-universite-bruxelles.be ). "Etudes européennes" series. 2008, 212 pp, €20. ISBN 978-2-8004-1413-3.
Realism, institutionalism, constructivism... Ever since its arrival on the scene nearly a hundred years ago, theories of international relations have seemed irretrievably built in to the debate and disagreements between different schools of thought, even going as far as challenging concepts like power and self-interest which had, until then, been seen as self-evident. Specialists today hesitate to speak of the 'theory' or 'theories' of international relations. But that is not the issue - this debate amongst schools, seen as necessary to 'understand humanity's huge challenges', now appears itself to be under threat. What is the danger? Robert O. Keohane, who wrote the preface to this book, argues that it boils down to three points: the unfinished nature of each of the theories; the fact that they are often seen as incompatible despite the fact that they deal with different and complementary aspects of global politics; and the image that these struggles among the different schools gives of the theory of international relations. It tends, in fact, to be seen these days as an artistic, abstract, subject.
On the other hand, since the explosion of the "Schuman bomb" and the arrival of the European Coal and Steel Community, European-style regionalism has been a unique integration model that has posed hefty challenges to political science and theories of international relations. Despite the various crises it has experienced, the European Union is a genuine puzzle for many theoreticians: a group of neighbouring states that had always been enemies right the way through history but that suddenly decided to work together, oscillating between an intergovernmental cooperation mode and the birth of a United States of Europe. As far as the author is concerned, the sustainable nature of the European project is itself an invitation to face changes at theoretical level or even make the first steps towards a new paradigm at the level of international relations.
Mario Telo, president of the European Studies Institute at the 'Université Libre de Bruxelles', therefore has two aims. Firstly, to unpick the evolution of the theory of international relations. The various schools of thought and their theories are analysed, followed by a critique of the theories. From the three big American schools to the Marxist approach via theories of foreign policy, no stone is left unturned with the aim of providing an informed public with a clear, critical presentation of the abundant research into international relations. And there is more: the second aim, which the author sees as the main direct and indirect thread running through his book, is to decide whether or not there is a European perspective on international relations. As Prof. Telo explains, "taking the European perspective into account essentially means, for us, delving into the question of the future of the State, of international cooperation and regional integration among neighbouring states in international relations". No Eurocentrism here - throughout the book, the author points out the unrealistic nature of this type of position in the light of Europe's shrinking role on the global stage.
The essence of this thread is found in the final chapter, looking at what European studies contributes to theories of international relations. This fascinating section looks at the post-Cold War global context that favoured the creation of the first European Community, considering the tension between globalisation and neo-regionalism (which the author sees as multidimensional, as opposed to regionalism, that is solely economic and therefore directly connected with globalisation), along with the internal and external dynamic of regionalisation, the notion of soft power and how the European project impacts on sovereignty (via the struggle between intergovernmentalists and federalists). And where does the European Union fit in all this? Firstly, according to the author, it is not an unavoidable model, but remains nevertheless a reference point for other regional associations. It also promotes regionalism around the world, pushing it towards a "multilevel global governance". Next, the author seems to cast doubt on the idea of a United States of Europe, whose advent would, in his view, be of limited scientific interest and have limited powers of communication.
Mario Telo's conclusion does not beat about the bush: "sixty years of the European project has given enough time to justify theoretical hypotheses extending beyond our old continent and affecting global governance". The book is a breath of fresh air and achieves its twin objectives with aplomb. It is now down to the scientific community to respond to the challenge.
Thomas Bauwens
*** ABDELLATIF FILALI: Le Maroc et le monde arabe. Editions Scali (80 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis, F-75010 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 48000099 - Fax: 48000750 - Internet: http://www.scali.net ). 2008, 318 pp, €24. ISBN 978-2-35012-226-7.
Holding the post of Moroccan foreign minister for a long time and then, from 1994 to 1998, prime minister of Morocco under King Hassan II, Abdellatif Filali looks in this book at recent history and the world, particularly the Arab world, as he experienced it. He also studies the shifting sands of today. Morocco's first official ambassador to the European Community in the 1960s, the author provides a critical, yet friendly, analysis of Morocco's relations with Europe, particularly in the light of Hassan II's desire to request to join, the fishing dispute following Spain's accession, Islamic terrorism and immigration. An invitation for readers to "remove their France-centred or Europe-centred blinkers", writes Hubert Védrine in the preface.
(MT)
*** SEBASTIAN SANTANDER (Ed.): Le partenariat stratégique Union européenne Amérique latine dans un monde en mutation: quelles évolutions et perspectives? Centre d'Etude des Relations entre l'Union européenne et l'Amérique latine (Cercal, av. Paul Héger, Bât. NB - CP 181, B-1050 Brussels. Tel.: (32-2) 6503103 - Fax: 6503521 - e-mail: cercal@ulb.ac.be - Internet: http://www.ulb.ac.be/soco/cercal/accueil.hrlm ). "Europa & America Latina" series, No. 2. 2007, 158 pp, €20.
This publication looks at regionalism in Latin America, Latin America's relations with the United States and, above all, the range of links between Latin American countries and regional groups with the European Union - the 'strategic partnership' with Brazil, the Association Agreement with Chile and connections with the Andean Community. It notes that inter-regionalism is currently in stagnation and attempts to explain why and launch a debate about the future. The authors consider the importance granted by the European Union to its social policy, which they see as an effective way of avoiding the failure experienced by the United States. They also express concern at the new European tendency to prefer bilateral agreements to inter-regional deals. Despite the period of problems experienced by global governance and regionalism both at the EU level (with the collapse of the constitution) and at Latin American level (conflicts between different countries and wavering between regionalism and nationalism), the essays' authors seem convinced that inter-regional cooperation between the European Union and Latin America will make progress in the next few years and may be able to help structure this new phase of global governance. While waiting to see whether history will provide them right, this book will clearly help readers gain better understanding of the complex nature of relations between the two regions…
(TBa)
*** Dialogue académique et scientifique. Belgique, Amérique latine et Caraïbes. Centre d'Etude des Relations entre l'Union européenne et l'Amérique latine (see above). "Europa & America Latina" series, No 1. 2006, 145 pp, €20.
Belgian development cooperation minister, Belgium's ambassador to Caracas (Venezuela), vice-rector of the 'Université catholique de Louvain' in Belgium, and others of similar calibre… The first issue of this scientific review has fourteen unpublished articles by prestigious authors selected by the Cercal editorial team in order to demonstrate that in these times of crisis at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), inter-regional EU-Latin American relations cannot fail to be beneficial, both for the two regions themselves and for better global governance. This issue is devoted to academic and scientific dialogue between Belgium, Latin America and the Caribbean and is divided into three sections. The first looks at academic connections between Belgium and Caribbean and Latin American countries, the second at the Bologna Process and the third at the new vision of scientific cooperation and its applications. With its wonderfully diverse range of viewpoints, the review achieves its aims with great success.
(TBa)
*** Towards a Post-Carbon Society. European research on economic incentives and social behaviour. European Commission (DG Research, SDME 7/34, B-1049 Brussels). Tel: (32-2) 2962811 - Fax: 2962137 - E-mail: research-eu@ec.europa.eu - Internet: http: //ec.europa.eu/research/research-eu / Official Publications Office, Luxembourg. Internet: http: //bookshop.europa.eu). "European Research Area" series. 2007, 50 pp. ISBN 978-92-79-07622-0.
This European Commission publication includes the proceedings of a conference in October 2007 on climate change and its dangers for the planet, where participants aimed to find roadmaps to deal with the problem. Four main strands emerged at the conference. Firstly, the need for economic players to change their habits. Because the economic boom after the Second World War was based on the availability of vast quantities of low-cost energy, a situation that has changed beyond recognition today. Next, because the world's population is continuing to grow and new economic powers are arriving on the scene, leading to even greater demands for oil and gas. Demand must therefore be worked upon by launching research in order to find new, viable, technology. A second path is political because votes for ecological parties (green parties) in elections reflects a demand that other parties cannot continue to ignore and they must therefore take measures like energy efficiency programmes and green taxes. The third area is big cities, which are wholly out of step with modern lifestyles and need improving in terms of planning, construction and raising awareness among cities' inhabitants. Finally, it is down to the European institutions to set an example when it comes to dealing with global powers that pay little attention to and cast doubt on issues like reducing greenhouse gas, where the European Union has bitten the bullet and undertaken to play a leading role…
(NDu)
*** BETTINA LANGE: Implementing EU Pollution Control. Law and Integration. Cambridge University Press (The Edinburgh Building, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK. Tel: (44-1223) 326050 - Fax: 315052 - Internet: http://www.cambridge.org ). "Cambridge Studies in European Law and Policy". 2008, 324 pp, £60. ISBN 978-0-521-88398-6.
Reader in law and at the socio-legal studies centre at Oxford University, Bettina Lange looks in this detailed book at the role played by law in the European integration process in the light of implementing the EU pollution prevention and control directive both at EU level and in Germany and the UK. This work contributes to the sociology of European law, shedding light, for lawyers at least, on 'law in action' which, far from static, is changing empirically, echoing the debate and controversies it generates among those concerned when it comes to defining best practice and best available techniques for implementation. European law specialists will find this book a treasure…
(PBo)
*** MICHAEL FAURE, ALBERT VERHEIJ (Ed.): Shifts in Compensation for Environmental Damage. Editions Springer (4-6 Sachsenplatz, 1201 Vienna. Tel: (43-1) 3302415-0 - Fax: 3302426 - Internet: http://www.springeronline.com ). "Tort and Insurance Law" series, No. 21. 2007, 338 pp. ISBN 978-3-211-71551-2.
This book examines scientifically the changes that have been observed in compensation for environmental damage, looking at the nature of the shift and the reasons behind them. Characterised above all by a slippage in compensation for damage for oil slicks, nuclear accidents and pollution of the earth between the public and private sectors, the changes are analysed at EU level and in Germany, Belgium, the Neth3rlands and the United States. The intervention of different levels of power is also studied. Detailed and valuable information about an area of growing concern.
(PBo)
*** Réalités industrielles. Editions ESKA (12 rue du Quatre-Septembre, F-75002 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 42865578 - Fax: 42604535 - E-mail: eska@eska.fr - Internet: http://www.eska.fr ). 2008, 96 pp, €23. ISBN 978-2-7472-1393-6.
This publication of the Annals of the Mines has a very comprehensive dossier on the rising power of cities and metropolises around the world. Prof. Carrière looks at issues like the development idea for the EU area whereby social and territorial cohesion in Europe implies the building of a polycentric urban system.
(MT)