Theory of Master Role Transition

<p>In this book, Feliciano de Sá Guimarães offers an original application of Role Theory. He proposes a theory of master role transitions to explain how small powers can change regional powers’ master roles without changing the regional material power distribution.<br><br>Master role transition is the replacement of an active dominant master role by a dormant or inactive role located within one’s role repertoire. Guimarães argues that only a combination of four necessary conditions can produce a full master role transition: asymmetrical material interdependence, altercasting, domestic contestation and regional contestation. In each one of these conditions, a small power uses material and ideational tools to promote a master role transition within the regional power role repertoire. To test his model, Guimarães turns to five case studies in Latin America, Southern Africa and South Asia: the 2006–2007 Bolivia–Brazil gas crisis, the 2008–2009 Paraguay–Brazil Itaipú Dam crisis, the 2008–2009 Ecuador–Brazil Odebrecht crisis, the 1998 South Africa–Lesotho military intervention crisis and the 1996India–Bangladesh Ganges water crisis.<br><br><i>A Theory of Master Role Transition </i>is an excellent resource for those studying both theory and method in International Relations and foreign policy analysis.</p> <p>1. Introduction 2. A Theory of Master Role Transition 3. The 2006-2007 Brazil-Bolivia Gas Crisis 4. The 2008-2009 Brazil-Paraguay Itaipú Dam Crisis 5. The 2008-2009 Brazil-Ecuador Odebrecht Crisis 6. The 1998 South Africa-Lesotho Operation Boleas Crisis 7. The 1996 India-Bangladesh Ganges Waters Crisis 8. Conclusions</p>