Book Review: A Critical Introduction to Mao by Timothy Cheek

Rarely does a book challenge both realist and liberal international re-lations theory while seemingly bolstering both at the same time. KentCalder's The New Continentalism does exactly that by focusing onthe intersection of energy and geopolitics in Eurasia. Calder arguesthat increasing energy interdependence between Eurasian petrostates(the Middle East, Central Asia, and Russia) and energy-insecureAsian consumers (China, India, Japan, and South Korea) is contribut-ing to major shifts in international affairs. International relationsscholars have long pointed to the impending decline of the UnitedStates and emergence of China as the next transformation in the in-ternational order. Calder has provided compelling insight into themechanics of that shift with a much-needed emphasis on energy instructuring the international political economy. This book is notabout China's rise, but its preeminent position on a Eurasian conti-nent quickly becoming a powerful political-economic entity.