The globalized world has witnessed the development of a number of economic integration projects, including at least two Eurasian projects: the Eurasian Union and the Belt and Road Initiative. These initiatives blur the European Union Global Strategy adjusted in 2016 to be an attempt to reconsider and enhance the role and place of the European Union as the leader in the global arena. These initiatives must be studied and considered further to understand the numerous benefits, opportunities, and challenges they face. Regional Economic Integration and Global Competition in the Post-COVID-19 Era: European Union, Eurasian Economic Union, and the Belt and Road Initiative provides insight into the reasons and consequences of the discrepancy in the legal restrictions, institutional policies, and mutual skepticism on the economic integration progress. The text is also useful in defining and promoting a regional strategy of economic integration and the creation of mutual trust. Covering a range of topics such as international trade, environmental risk management, and globalization, this reference work is ideal for policymakers, government officials, strategic decision makers, practitioners, researchers, scholars, academicians, instructors, and students.

"This volume features up-to-date studies and comparison of regional integration efforts of the EU, China, and Russia in Greater Eurasia with the special interest in the complicated relations among the EU, EAEU, and BRI"--

New technological innovations have given birth to paradigms such as robotization, increased and advanced mechanization, and dehumanization of public diplomacy around the world. Other related developments have been the acceleration and growing popularization of the smart city concept as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, which have all combined to compel almost all major industries—including diplomacy—to shift online and to be revolutionized. The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Digitalization of Diplomacy explores the influences of the new ICTs, AI, and smart cultures on the conduct of public diplomacy. It further examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the conduct of digital diplomacy in the world and analyzes the implications of the dynamics of ICTs and AI for teaching and research in digital diplomacy. Covering topics such as defense diplomacy, the fourth industrial revolution, and technological determinism, this premier reference source is an essential resource for diplomats, politicians, government officials, ICT developers, students and educators of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

This book explains the inherent contradictions of Marxist economic theory and how they became apparent when the theory was applied in practice. It introduces the main theories and authors of Marxist economic thought, explores its implementation in the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, and offers a comparative analysis of the main distinctive features of socialist and capitalist economic systems. In turn, the book provides answers to the following questions: What has happened to the "socialist reality" and why has it become unacceptable for society? What are the causes of the collapse of the socialist economic system? This book appeals to scholars and students of economics and anyone interested in Marxist economic thinking and the practice of socialism.

The world is changing rapidly in several critical areas that could reshape our lifestyles, development, the environment, democracy, and geopolitics. Among the numerous obstacles, barriers, and opportunities, some significant challenges should be considered for the future planning of our territories and regions all over the globe. The Handbook of Research on Current Advances and Challenges of Borderlands, Migration, and Geopolitics collects a robust set of contributions concerning border territories dynamics and geopolitics in the current and future context. Covering key topics such as green economy, biodiversity, territorial management, and spatial planning, this major reference work is ideal for government officials, industry professionals, environmentalists, technicians, policymakers, researchers, academicians, scholars, practitioners, instructors, and students.

Within the past decade, technology has grown exponentially, and governments have promoted smart cities. Emerging smart cities have become both crucibles and showrooms for the practical application of the internet of things (IoT), cloud computing, and the integration of big data into everyday life. This complex concoction requires new thinking of the synergistic utilization of deep learning and blockchain methods and data-driven decision making with automation infrastructure, autonomous transportation, and more. Advances in Deep Learning Applications for Smart Cities provides a global perspective on current and future trends concerning the integration of deep learning and blockchain for smart cities. It provides valuable insights on the best practices and success factors for smart cities. Covering topics such as digital healthcare, object detection methods, and power consumption, this book is an excellent reference for researchers, scientists, libraries, industry experts, government organizations, students and educators of higher education, business professionals, communication and marketing agencies, entrepreneurs, and academicians.

There is now a plethora of internet of things (IoT) devices on the market that can connect to the internet and the desired environment to produce sufficient and reliable data that is required by the government administration for a variety of purposes. Additionally, the potential benefits of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into governance are numerous. Governments can use AI and machine learning to enforce the law, detect fraud, and monitor urban areas by identifying problems before they occur. The government can also use AI to easily automate processes and replace mundane and repetitive tasks. AI, IoT, and Blockchain Breakthroughs in E-Governance defines and emphasizes various AI algorithms as well as new internet of things and blockchain breakthroughs in the field of e-governance. Covering key topics such as machine learning, government, and artificial intelligence, this premier reference source is ideal for government officials, policymakers, researchers, academicians, practitioners, scholars, instructors, and students.

As Eurasia and the adjacent territories become more important to the world, there is increasing interest from international powers, accompanied by attempts to give institutional form to traditional economic and security links within the region. This book includes a range of substantive work from scholars based in the region, offering contrasting perspectives on the process of Eurasian integration and its place in the world. Chapters consider economic, political, social and security developments, with notable studies of the major countries involved in the development of the Eurasian Economic Union. The work also examines the connections between the region and China, greater Asia and the European Union. It outlines the varying dynamics, with populations growing in Central Asia while at best stagnant elsewhere. The book discusses the increasing strategic significance of the region and explores how the new post-Soviet states are growing in national cohesion and political self-confidence. Above all, the book examines the concept of ’Eurasia’, outlining the debates about the concept and how various aspects of the legacy of ‘Eurasianism’ contribute to contemporary plans for integration. The book argues that although regional integration is very much a popular idea in our age, with the potential for economic benefits and increased international influence, in practice contemporary projects for Eurasian integration have been highly ambiguous and contested. Nevertheless, significant steps have been taken towards the creation of the Eurasian Economic Union. The book analyses developments to date, noting the achievements as well as the challenges.

"The Making of Eurasia investigates the two chief competing order conceptions and economic initiatives in Central Asia - China's Belt and Road Initiative and Russia's Eurasian Economic Union. This book analyses the extent to which these opposing order conceptions contribute to friction over political domination of the region. China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative launched in 2013 in order to expand infrastructure and trade links between Asia, Africa and Europe while also promoting the rise of Chinese influence in global affairs. In 2015 the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was also established, bringing into question whether these two models for the region would be compatible. By focusing on three case studies - Kazakhstan, Iran and Mongolia - Pieper examines the extent and levels of cooperation and confrontation which take place as a result of these initiatives within a geopolitical context. The book also reflects on the wider international significance of these competing regional policies to global leadership debates, given the emergence of a new Eurasian trans-continental political space. This study will provide valuable insight for students and scholars of International Relations, Asia Studies and Security Studies."--