Political space is perceived as geographic space first and foremost and geo-politics is still a dominant view of the world and the distribution of power in it. But there is more to this. Digital and emotional spheres of social interaction provide other means to establish hierarchies, exert power and delignate borders, providing opportunities for inclusion and exclusion, economic growth vs. decline, territories of influence and belonging.
This Quarterly Magazine provides thoughtful reflextions about Variants of Political Space. Contributions range from digital governance to development aid in Central Asia to University education and public diplomacy and the imageries of Indian Americans. Current fellows of the Centre dominate this issue, not least by contributing fascinating project descriptions on current research in critical fantasy studies, the culture of an open internet and 19th century critiques of the liberal state.
The bigger picture is approached by the Centre's Co-director Prof. Tobias Debiel, who gave us an interview reflecting on the topics of this year's Peace Report.
Not least, we are delighted to have a contribution by two eminent China scholars, Dr Anna Ahlers and Prof. Thomas Heberer, and they deal with a challenging issue: perspectives for research cooperation with the Poeple's Republic of China.
Quarterly Magazine continues to provide a web version in parallel to a printable pdf-Layout.
Martin Wolf (Editor)
