Overview

This handbook provides an innovative, comprehensive, and authoritative examination of how subnational governments, regions, and municipalities participate in and shape the field of International Relations (IR). Covering the conceptual, theoretical, methodological, institutional, and practical dimensions of paradiplomacy, it is divided into five parts. Part I focuses on paradiplomacy as a distinct field of research, its conceptual evolution, and its theoretical foundations through classical and alternative theories of IR. Part II presents methodological approaches, including comparative, quantitative, qualitative, and legal studies, as well as multi-level and polycentric governance analyses. Part III examines institutional aspects, discussing the roles of regions, cities, networks, cross-border cooperation, protodiplomacy, identity, and substates’ involvement in international organizations. Part IV explores the intersection of paradiplomacy with public policy, covering topics such as environment, climate change, migration, urban management, culture, trade, finance, economic development, security, and decentralized international cooperation. Part V provides a detailed worldwide regional analysis, with case studies from Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, and Africa. Offering a truly global perspective provided by experienced researchers from all over the world, this handbook will appeal to a broad audience, including scholars and students of International Relations, Urban and Regional Studies, Political Science, Public Policy, Comparative Politics, Diplomacy, Foreign Policy, Governance, and Federalism.

Full Product Details

9781032995090

Table of Contents

Reviews

“This handbook is the most comprehensive and accomplished contribution ever published to the study of the international relations of subnational governments. A research field which more than five decades since its contemporary empirical emergence and conceptual inception, and in view of its global importance, is finally receiving the recognition it deserves. Carefully planned and coordinated by a world-class editorial team, and consistently implemented by an impressive line-up of fifty-six authors from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle-East, this path-breaking work provides a compelling, systematic, innovative and nuanced examination of paradiplomacy all over the world. For so doing, it convincingly combines: Due attention to the theoretical and methodological challenges posed by this reality for Comparative Politics, Foreign Policy Studies, International Relations, and International Law scholarship. Transversal analyses of the most salient issues addressed by paradiplomatic agendas and practices in both bilateral and multilateral settings, with both public and private counterparts. Nothing less than 22 country-case studies virtually covering the whole world from North to South and East to West, including federal and unitary states and the most diverse political and constitutional systems. In sum, this handbook is an outstanding collective achievement. An indispensable reading for scholars and practitioners from all over the world with an interest in the complex interplay between global transformations and domestic politics, contemporary transformations of foreign policy and diplomacy, and polycentric global governance.” - Noé Cornago, University of the Basque Country (EHU), Spain “The Handbook of Paradiplomacy is a fantastic scholarly contribution, bringing together diverse perspectives on paradiplomacy from across the globe. The Editors have gathered an amazing group of leading scholars to reflect on paradiplomacy’s theory, practice, and evolution. This volume is the most comprehensive, cohesive, and very insightful academic publication, making it a must-read for scholars, experts, students, and practitioners. The individual chapters show the richness of paradiplomacy as a dynamic field, highlighting its historical development, conceptual frameworks, and growing place within international relations. Authors carefully trace how and why subnational actors engage in international affairs while evaluating the implications of their activities for diplomacy, governance, and global politics. Crucially, the Handbook consolidates existing knowledge and sets new directions for future research. Combining analytical rigor with empirical depth, the Handbook will be a reference point for years.” - Agnieszka Szpak, Associate Professor at Nicolaus Copernicus University, Poland “This handbook is a globally comprehensive and remarkably diverse collection of current research and reflections on paradiplomacy by leading scholars who bring multiple perspectives to bear on this burgeoning facet of international relations. Paradiplomacy is a significant challenge to single-voice notions of diplomacy and to the willingness of central governments to allow projections of regional, local, and sometimes dissenting governmental voices beyond their borders. The book includes theoretical, methodological, and institutional approaches to paradiplomacy as well as many country case studies and examples of policy-specific paradiplomacy. This handbook is an indispensable resource for academics and practitioners going forward.” - John Kincaid, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, USA "" This handbook is a critical contribution to the growing field of paradiplomacy that brings together the many facets of these activities in one place. The organization of the volume and global reach of its editors and contributors provides a comprehensive resource for students, scholars and practitioners. Highlighting the important roles multilevel actors play in the global arena, it is a must read for anyone interested in this area of inquiry.” - Heidi Hobbs, Associate Professor Emerita, School of Public and International Affairs, North Carolina State University, USA “The Handbook of Paradiplomacy is both deep and wide, theoretical and empirical, and global and local in its analyses. More than any previous work, it provides coverage of all corners of the world because the editors brought together an impressive team of scholars from many fields and all continents. This book is an indispensable addition to our understanding of paradiplomacy and one that benefits scholars and practitioners alike. Those interested in international relations, comparative politics, development, diplomacy, foreign policy, law, and public policy will profit from its syntheses, findings, and recommendations.” - Samuel Lucas McMillan, Professor of Political Science and Dean, Lander University, USA “This volume is by far the most comprehensive study of paradiplomacy available, incorporating detailed analysis of theoretical approaches and methodologies as well as multiple case studies of key actors from all of the world’s regions. With contributions from an impressive group of international leaders in the study of this field, the handbook is sure to be the definitive work on this increasingly important subject for years to come.” - John Ravenhill, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Waterloo, Canada

Author Information

Jorge A. Schiavon is Professor of International Relations in the International Studies Department, Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, and a member of the National Researchers System (SNI), level III. He is Vice-President of the Consejo Mexicano de Estudios Internacionales (COMEXI) and Vice-President of the Centro de Enseñanza y Análisis sobre la Política Exterior de México (CESPEM). He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and International Affairs (UCSD), an M.A. in Political Science (UCSD), and a B.A. in International Relations (El Colegio de México). He was President of the Mexican International Studies Association (2011-2013), Secretary General (2004-2007) and Chair of the International Studies Department (2007–2010) at CIDE. He is author or editor of 37 academic books and 150+ articles and chapters. Joanna Ciesielska-Klikowska, Ph.D., is a political scientist and assistant professor in the Department of Asian Studies, and a member of the Paradiplomacy Lab – Centre for Studies on Paradiplomacy and City Diplomacy at the University of Lodz, Poland. Her research focuses on EU-China relations, regional and municipal cooperation, city diplomacy, and Germany’s foreign policy toward China. Tomasz Kaminski is Chair of the Paradiplomacy Lab – Centre for Studies on Paradiplomacy and City Diplomacy, and an associate professor at the Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lodz. Rafael Velázquez Flores is a Professor of International Relations at the Faculty of Economics and International Relations (FEyRI), Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC). He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the National University of Mexico (UNAM) and a Ph.D. in International Studies from the University of Miami. He was a fellow at the Center for Mexico-United States Studies, University of California, San Diego; held the Chair of Mexican Studies in the Fulbright Program at the University of New Mexico in 2024; and was president of the Mexican International Studies Association (AMEI). He is part of the National System of Researchers (SNI), level III; a regular member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences (AMC); and is currently president of the Center for Teaching and Analyzing Mexico’s Foreign Policy (CESPEM).

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