Routledge Peace Studies in the Chinese Century: International Perspectives

The rise of China is probably the most significant shift in the international power structure this generation. China's leaders have so far committed themselves to a 'peaceful rising' but serious tensions are inevitable in such a rapid transformation. Dialogue on peace and conflict issues at this juncture is invaluable. This volume focuses on developments in peace research in a number of key countries, and in particular introduces for the first time in English the perspectives of a number of Chinese scholars who have started to engage with peace studies agendas. Comparisons are drawn from the UK, USA, Mexico, Japan and South Africa to provide a better understanding of the debates on a global level and the discussion among different countries. Some of the outstanding peace researchers who contribute to the volume include Andrew Rigby, Johan Galtung - who is generally considered to have founded the discipline in its current form - and Ursula Oswald. The volume is a valuable and unique contribution to the contemporary peace research agenda and will appeal to an interdisciplinary readership in peace studies, sociology, politics, international relations, religious studies, philosophy and Asian studies. Review 'This book focuses on some of the peaceable and warrior traditions within Chinese society and in the West as well. As such it makes an excellent contribution towards understanding Chinese and Western concepts of conflict, justice, peace, forgiveness and reconciliation. I heartily recommend it for anyone seeking to understand competing drivers within Chinese society and how the peace research lens might be used by China to promote the common good in the Chinese century.' Kevin P. Clements, University of Queensland, Australia 'This is an exciting book which provides readers with an overview of the evolution and current state of Peace Studies. It offers a starting point for further research on peace studies in China - a subject just in its infancy, but sure to develop rapidly. The book will be become an invaluable reference source for anyone involved in the fields of peace studies, conflict resolution, political science and international relations.' Caroline Rose, University of Leeds, UK '...somewhere between a case-book of peace studies summarizing experiences from different countries and a guide-book for trans-disciplinary Chinese researchers to learn to study "the Chinese century" in every relation to peace... exposing the huge gap between Chinese and Western understanding on peace studies...the collection has achieved its goal with ease.' Journal of Chinese Political Science 'Peace Studies in the Chinese Century engages in a useful reconsideration of the scope, approaches and topics of peace studies as well as its interpretation and development in China...the volume considers the complex relationship between academia, grass-roots movements and state institutions in the delineation of peace studies. At the same time it also takes into account the cultural and philosophical traditions that are embedded in Chinese writings on international relations, legal and development studies, history etc. which inform local perspectives on peace studies...Peace Studies in About the Author Alan Hunter is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Study of Forgiveness and Reconciliation at Coventry University, UK. He has authored several books including 'Protestantism in Contemporary China' (1993), 'Wild Lily Prairie Fire' (1995), and 'Contemporary China' (1999).