The Geopsychology Theory of International Relations in the 21st Century: Escaping the Ignorance Trap

This book introduces an innovative theoretical construct of geopsychology to navigate the complex dynamics of international politics in the 21st century. It explains how geopsychology is different from mainstream international relations theories in terms of primary actors, human behavior, spatial application, instruments, and key issues. It argues that peace and stability in the troubled parts of the world warrants an imperative need for understanding psychological dispositions of non-state actors and authoritarian regimes. In The Geopsychology Theory of International Relations in the 21st Century: Escaping the Ignorance Trap, B.M.Jain unfolds that neither a global hegemon nor a cohort of powers could weaken their resolve and break their morale, as proven in the cases of Iraq, Afghanistan, and North Korea. Importantly, the regional case studies —India and Pakistan in South Asia; North Korea and China in Northeast Asia; and the U.S. involvement in the Middle East — reveal howthe psyche and thought processes of national and regional actors have been the driving force in triggering interstate conflicts and civil wars. The book brilliantly illuminates how America became a conscious victim of the ignorance trap in Asia’s volatile regions. This must book offers easy solutions to complex conflicts to induce a peaceful change in world politics.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Geopsychology Theory Building:Conceptual Underpinnings Chapter 2: South Asian Geopsychology: A Case Study of India- Pakistan Relations Chapter 3: India-Pakistan Engagement with the Greater Middle East Chapter 4: Understanding China’s Foreign Policy Behavior: Through the Lens of Geopsychology Chapter 5: The Nuclear Conundrum on the Korean Peninsula Chapter 6: US Strategic Misadventures in the Middle East: A Victim of its Own Logic? Conclusions

About the Author :
B. M. Jain is editor-in-chief for Indian Journal of Asian Affairs.

Review :
Jain’s originality and clarity are helpful in navigating the stormy seas of global politics. Challenging IR scholars to explore the cultural and psychological dimensions of geopolitics when studying the new theaters of war, this pathbreaking book is a must-read for scholars and students of international politics. The book abounds with empirical evidences and narration. B.M. Jain’s book sounds most promising— an important scholarly contribution. Surely, these days we need to be receptive to new paradigms. There is no doubt that the attention to geopsychological theory,as a complement of andcorrective to mainstream IR paradigms, will greatly improve our understanding of the current conflict scene…military intervention is no longer a cost-effective agent of history, given the rise of nationalist resolve and self-confidence after 1945. In a complex world, we need to be wary of one-dimensional explanations, of the idea that everything reduces to economics or to self-interest or to power. In this book B.M. Jain gives us a policy compass for understanding the complex world of international relations. More than an informed observer, he is an astute commentator. We ignore his warnings at our peril. This book advances our understanding of the theory geopsychology in significant ways and takes the debate on IR theory forward in an interesting dimension. Both the theoretical discussion and the empirical case studies are equally important. This book should be read not only by scholars but also by the practitioners of foreign policy in the 21st century In this important new book, Professor Jain introduces the concept of “geopsychology” to understand contemporary international politics. With brilliant insights, clear analysis and lucid prose, this study breaks new intellectual ground and helps us understand the complex international system. A tour de force ..highly recommended.