Ascending Order: Rising Powers and the Politics of Status in International Institutions

Rising powers often challenge and support international orders that enable and constrain their growth. Ascending Order examines how international institutions shape these powers' choices, with open membership rules and fair decision-making procedures fostering equality and cooperation, while exclusion and unfairness can lead to conflict. The book explores these dynamics in three cases and emphasizes the importance of international institutions addressing rising powers' status ambitions for the future of contemporary international order.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Ascending Order is a groundbreaking book that delves into the complex dynamics of conflict and cooperation among emerging powers as they navigate the global arena. The book offers a comprehensive analysis of how international institutions shape the choices of these rising states as they strive for equal status with established powers. It explores the interplay between open membership rules, fair decision-making procedures, and the potential for equality and cooperation, as well as the consequences of exclusion and unfairness.

Through a detailed examination of three case studies, the book sheds light on these dynamics. The first case study examines the United States and the maritime laws of war in the mid-nineteenth century, highlighting how the establishment of international institutions played a crucial role in shaping the country's approach to warfare. The second case study focuses on Japan and naval arms control in the interwar period, examining how the League of Nations and other international organizations influenced Japan's military buildup and its pursuit of naval dominance. The third case study examines India and nuclear non-proliferation in the Cold War, exploring how the United Nations and other international institutions attempted to balance India's nuclear ambitions with the need for global nuclear disarmament.

The book's findings are significant as they shed light on the future of contemporary international order. It argues that the ability of international institutions to address the status ambitions of rising powers such as China and India will play a critical role in shaping the future of the global system. The book emphasizes the need for these institutions to be inclusive, transparent, and accountable, ensuring that the interests of all states are taken into account.

Furthermore, the book raises important questions about the role of power, ideology, and national interests in shaping the behavior of emerging powers. It suggests that the pursuit of equality and cooperation among emerging powers can be undermined by the pursuit of national interests, ideological differences, and power imbalances. The book calls for a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to international relations that takes into account the complex and multifaceted nature of the global system.

In conclusion, Ascending Order is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of conflict and cooperation among emerging powers. The book offers a comprehensive analysis of how international institutions shape the choices of these states and the implications of their actions for the future of contemporary international order. Its findings are timely and relevant, and it provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the global community.

Weight: 650g
Dimension: 235 x 157 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009186810