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"Key Concepts for Understanding a World at a Crossroads" has been compiled to deepen our understanding of contemporary domestic and international political issues. This book is grounded in two academic disciplines—comparative politics and international relations—and addresses critical themes in each chapter, such as the retreat of democracy, the rise of violence, shifts in the international order, and the stagnation of nuclear disarmament. It is primarily intended for undergraduate and graduate students specializing in political science, serving as a resource to support further study and research. The book is suitable for those aiming to progress beyond introductory or beginner-level political science studies to an intermediate level and beyond.
 
Each chapter of this book focuses on one significant political science concept, providing definitions, historical contexts, and an overview of the evolution of scholarly debates. Additionally, the authors highlight current discussions they consider noteworthy and offer perspectives on future political developments, enabling readers to theoretically examine contemporary political issues in depth. At the end of each chapter, there is a guide to related literature, which introduces relevant references in both Japanese and English to facilitate further research.
 
While this description might evoke the image of an ordinary textbook, in reality, each chapter reflects the distinct personalities of the authors. Especially in sections that address the latest discussions, the authors interpret ongoing political science debates and offer their own insights.
 
The content is organized into four parts, allowing readers to explore each chapter according to their interests. Part I addresses broad themes that bridge comparative politics and international relations, such as nation-states, violence, nationalism, and ethnicity, exploring the origins and contradictions of the modern state. Part II delves into political institutions and regimes in domestic politics, with in-depth analyses of democracy, authoritarianism, elections, and economic growth, presenting discussions on the challenges facing authoritarian regimes and the crises confronting democracies. Part III covers themes like international order, conflicts, alliances, and disarmament, enhancing our understanding of power dynamics and the challenges of cooperation in international politics. Part IV introduces both quantitative and qualitative research methods in political science, discussing the effectiveness and challenges of data analysis and traditional qualitative research.
 
Lastly, this book was written by 12 researchers who studied under Professor Kiichi Fujiwara, a long-time faculty member of the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo, to commemorate his retirement. While some of these contributors earned their doctorates at the University of Tokyo, others obtained their PhDs overseas, making this a collaborative project among alumni who all studied in the same laboratory at the University’s Hongo campus. It is worth noting that, within the field of political science, such a diverse array of topics was researched within a single laboratory under the mentorship of one highly capable and energetic teacher.
 

(Written by SAHASHI Ryo, Associate Professor, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia / 2024)