Department of Political Science and International Studies

Dr. Jean Kachiga
Visiting Assistant Professor

Education:

Ph.D, International Relations, University of Frankfurt
M.A. Political Science, University of Frankfurt
B.A. Political Science, University of Frankfurt

Teaching Interests:

International Relations
International Political Economy
Comparitive Politics: Africa as regional specialization
Global Sociology: Differentiation and Integration in the Global Society

Research Interests:

My research interest lies in understanding and possibly explaining international relations through the evolutionary dynamics of history that cyclically produces new paradigms to which states respond. Different responses by various states induce a new hierarchy of world powers, new roles and statuses, as some states react more skillfully than others. Such dynamics have explained hegemonic transition, led to the revision of the status quo order, and heralded new epochs.

This perspective compels a focus on three different levels of the dynamics of world politics, within the greater context of world history. The first level is the state, and people within, as actors in world politics (agency level). The second level is the international institutional structure, serving as norm provider and therefore shaper of actions of international actors (structure level). The third level is History itself as the realm that dialectically synthesizes all inputs within the global political system (beyond agency and structure levels).

At each one of these levels I explore specific questions, using specific methodological approaches to answer them, and I draw from specific theoretical groundings to frame, and meaningfully interpret observed phenomena and empirical facts.

Classes Taught:

Comparitive Politics
International Relations
International Political Economy
The Geopolitics of Globalization
Introduction to Political Science
The Global South

Sustainable Development
Political Economy of African States
International Relations of African States
African Politics
The Politics of Cultural and Ethnic Pluralism
World Civilizations
Comparative Cultures
Concepts and Practice of Leadership

Selected Publications:

Monograph

1. "Global Liberalism and its Casualties", The Rowan and Littlefield
   Lanham, Maryland, 2008
2. "Die Rationalitaet der Modern und die Bikulturalitaet", Peter Lang Publishers
   Frankfurt, 1999

Forthcoming Monographs

1. "China in Africa: Articulating China's Foreign Policy in Africa", Africa World Press
   Trenton, New Jersey, 2011
2. "Shifting Balance: Will Rising Non-Western Powers Develop Revisionist Foreign Policies?"

Book Reviews

1. Ian Taylor: "China and Africa: Engagement and Compromise". Routledge, London, 2006. I have reviewed following publications for the African Studies Review, issues of September 2008, Volume 51,#2, from Rutgers University Press
2. Henning Melber (editor): "China in Africa". A compilation on China’s Policy in Africa Essays by Margaret C. Lee, Henning Melber, Sanusha Naidu, Ian Taylor, published by the Nordiska Africainstitutet, Uppsala, Sweden, 2007.

Book Chapter

1. "Globalization and Marginalization" in: Essay in Paradoxes of Global and Local Forces, Olufemi Vaughan, Macheta Wright, Charles Small, eds. Ibadan, Nigeria. Safer Academic Press, 2004

Article

1. "Wuerzeln und Konfliktgruenden in Afrika" in: Minoritaet, Autonomie und Selbstbestimmung. Loccum, Germany, October 1995 p. 67-84

Forthcoming Articles

1. "The Dynamics of Alliance Formation in African Civil Wars"
2. "The Malaise of Modernity in Africa"
3. "On The Validity of Epistemic Knowledge in the Social Sciences"

In Progress

1. "Gabriel and Lucifer" (a narrative essay)

Selected Conference Papers

1. An Epochal Shift: What Global Leadership Structure Next? Tenth International CISS Millennium Conference, July 4-5th, 2010 Venice, Italy
2. "Shifting Balance: The Unraveling of Western Grip on International Politics" in: Power, Vision, and Order in World Politics. Nordic International Studies Association. University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. May 23-25, 2007
3. How Game Theory Inspires Negotiations in International Politics. Faculty Colloquium Simpson University, March 2. 2009
4. "Shifting Balance: The Unraveling Western Grip on the International Order": Paper Presentation: May 23-25, 2007 on: Power, Vision, and Order in World Politics. Denmark, Nordic International Studies Association University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
5. "Historic/Political/Economic Relations between China and Africa" Radio Interview: Africa Today, KPFA, December 5th 2006, Berkeley, California
6. "Conceptualizing War in Africa": Paper presented at the International Conference: Conceptualizing War in Vancouver, September 7-10, 2006, organized by The Institute of Transborder Studies at Kwantlen University, Canada
7. "China’s Africa Policy": Paper presented at the 49th African Studies Association meeting in San Francisco, November 16-19, 2006
8. "Internationalization of Intra-states conflicts" Faculty Luncheon Seminar Series, Seton Hall University, April 2005
9. "Africa: Political Unrest and Civil War” Staff Development Workshop, Spring, April 20, 2004 Social Studies Department, Morris Hills High School

 

News

Brockport Orchestra Celebrates "A Night on Broadway"

Frank Wojcik wins Digital Rochester GREAT Award

Author John Wood Inspires Brockport Freshmen

Brockport Jumps to No. 54 in 2013 US News Rankings

Events

Mon, Sep 16

Zotero (Education focus)
5 pm - 6:15 pm

Tue, Sep 17

Naturalization Ceremony
11 am - noon

Fri, Sep 20

Leadership Program Kick-off
3:30 pm - 5 pm

Wed, Oct 2

ADP Distinguished Speaker Series "The Audacity to Heal: Our Rape Culture"
7 pm - 9 pm

Thu, Oct 3

Faculty/Staff Campaign Kickoff
noon - 1:30 pm