This book explains how a diverse Indian Ocean international system arose and endured during Europe's crucial opening stages of imperial expansion.

In pre-publication, book had the subtitle Diversity and its discontents.

International relations scholars typically expect political communities to resemble one another the more they are exposed to pressures of war, economic competition and the spread of hegemonic legitimacy standards. However, historically it is heterogeneity, not homogeneity, that has most often defined international systems. Examining the Indian Ocean region - the centre of early modern globalization - Andrew Phillips and J. C. Sharman explain how diverse international systems can emerge and endure. Divergent preferences for terrestrial versus maritime conquest, congruent traditions of heteronomy and shared strategies of localization were factors which enabled diverse actors including the Portuguese Estado da India, Dutch and English company sovereigns and mighty Asian empires to co-exist for centuries without converging on a common institutional form. Debunking the presumed relationship between interaction and homogenization, this book radically revises conventional thinking on the evolution of international systems, while deepening our understanding of a historically crucial but critically understudied world region.

This accessible text defends human rights as truly universal for all persons globally, while respecting the importance of plurality and cultural diversity. It is unique, as well, in discussing cross-cultural negotiations regarding human rights. The book shows that there is no inherent contradiction between human rights norms and social and cultural values, practices, and forms of life worthy of preservation.

Critically evaluates how international relations theories have conceived culture, and advances a new account of cultural diversity and international order.

In recent years the concept of ‘diversity’ has gained a leading place in academic thought, business practice and public policy worldwide. Although variously used, ‘diversity’ tends to refer to patterns of social difference in terms of certain key categories. Today the foremost categories shaping discourses and policies of diversity include race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, sexuality and age; further important notions include class, language, locality, lifestyle and legal status. The Routledge Handbook of Diversity Studies will examine a range of such concepts along with historical and contemporary cases concerning social and political dynamics surrounding them. With contributions by experts spanning Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science, History and Geography, the Handbook will be a key resource for students, social scientists and professionals. It will represent a landmark volume within a field that has become, and will continue to be, one of the most significant global topics of concern throughout the twenty-first century.

This book offers new perspectives on the concept of diversity and the role diversity can play in the world of work of the future.Scholars and practitioners from various disciplines and backgrounds reflect on the most appropriate interventions to create a more inclusive labour market for all. They explore the economic case for diversity and diversity management strategies, finding that diversity and inclusion must go hand in hand.The authors show that biases and stereotypes that lead to discrimination and violence – whether in blatant or more subtleforms such as microaggressions – are a major impediment to diversity. However, cultural change in the workplace cannotbe obtained with one-off policies and the effectiveness of prodiversity initiatives may depend on variables outside the labourmarket. Legal protections from discrimination and provisions forequal opportunities for “diverse persons” are often not enoughto deliver outcomes of equality and inclusion.The book also sheds light on the policy dilemma between respecting individuals with all their particularities and countering structural inequalities, which often requires categorization into groups. The authors remind us that there is diversity within diversity: not everyone receiving the same label has the same needs.The book covers issues such as gender equality and mainstreaming, migration and ethnic diversity, racism, violence against LGBTI people and age discrimination. Tools used in one area to overcome exclusion are often also applicable in others. The future of diversity is thus a rich source of inspiration for anyone wishing to move towards greater justice in the labour market.