UCL RDR monthly event: The National Interest

Be part of the conversation shaping tomorrow's politics.

How should we respond to a fragmenting world order, in which populist challengers, new geopolitical rivalries and trade wars seem to be scuppering the prospects of international cooperation in response to twenty-first century challenges?

Whether you're a policymaker, academic, student or concerned citizen, discover how rediscovering the national interest can pave the way for a more secure and cooperative future.

Don't miss this exclusive UCL Risk & Disaster Reduction event, as our expert panel delves into the ideas behind new book The National Interest: Politics After Globalization by Philip Cunliffe and discuss its themes.

The panel invites you to join the conversation with questions following the panel session, and attend a short reception afterwards.

There will be photography at this event. If you would prefer your image not to be shared, please let us know when booking or speak to the photographer at the event.

More about The National Interest: Politics After Globalization

In his new book, Philip Cunliffe, Associate Professor in International Relations at UCL Risk & Disaster Reduction, argues that we have the opportunity to reboot international cooperation on a new and more durable foundation. But only if we are willing to defend our national interests. A bold reassertion of national interest does not mark a retreat into isolationism. Instead, it is the key to fostering a new era of peaceful international cooperation.

Drawing on historical case studies and plenty of contemporary insights, the book explores how under national underpinnings of our transnational and supranational institutions inherited from the twentieth century have slowly eroded, making international cooperation less legitimate and thereby prone to populist challenges.

By contrast, a rediscovery of national interest politics can help us identity sovereign priorities and is in doing, can help relegitimate international cooperation with democratic support, thereby helping us align diverse countries toward shared goals.

From climate change adaptation through strategic resource management to industrial policy and supply chain management, this new book argues that by reclaiming national control over economic policies and politics, we can contributing to devising a pragmatic blueprint for a multipolar world where empowered states negotiate from positions of strength, reduce dependencies and enhance mutual trust.

The book will be available for purchase after the event.

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