From civilisational frontier risks associated with new challenges like disruptive technologies, to the shifting nature of great-power conflicts and subversion, the 21stcentury requires a new approach to statecraft. In 21st-Century Statecraft, Professor Nayef Al-Rodhan proposes five innovative statecraft concepts. He makes the case for a new method of geopolitical analysis called 'meta-geopolitics', and for 'dignity-based governance'. He shows how, in an interdependent and interconnected world, traditional thinking must move beyond zero-sum games and focus on 'multi-sum and symbiotic realist' interstate relations. This requires a new paradigm of global security premised on five dimensions of security, and a new concept of power, 'just power', which highlights the centrality of justice to state interests. These concepts enable states to balance competing interests and work towards what the author calls 'reconciliation statecraft'. Throughout, Professor Al-Rodhan brings his philosophical and neuroscientific expertise to bear, providing a practical model for conducting statecraft in a sustainable way.

"Al-Rodhan (Oxford Univ., UK) aspires to be a peacemaker and settle the ongoing battle between those who view the nation-state as the foundation of international relations and those who see the nation-state disappearing amid the relentless pressure of globalization. He uses various labels to describe this new synthesizing approach. The one that caught this reviewer's eye was described at length in Chapter 5, Dignity-Based Governance. Al-Rodhan rightly appreciates that most, if not all, humans seek dignity. Further, he correctly understands that nation-states are institutional vehicles that protect and advance the dignity of their citizens. However, the book starts to go off track by arguing that the quest for dignity is grounded in neuroscience. Al-Rodhan's attempt to craft a neurophilosophy that state leaders can use is less than convincing. Readers may applaud the effort to forge a new synthesis, but results-oriented state leaders will be left scratching their heads over how to use neurophilosophy as the new form of statecraft. The 27 case studies toward the end of the book do little to help. Neither nation-state realists nor globalists will abandon their entrenched positions for this approach." - CHOICE, April 2023