A post-graduate with MPhil in International Relations, Ashim Dhakal is from Sikkim. He completed his post-graduate from Christ University and went to Sikkim University for higher studies. He was an intern in NGO “Human Development Foundation”. Ashim has also published articles entitled “Understanding Michael Foucault” Vol.15, Issue No.9, October 2018, “Neo-Liberalism in theorizing World Politics” Vol.15, Issue N0.5, July 2018 in Journal for Advances and Scholarly Researches in Allied Education (JASRAE) with ISSN 2230-7540.
Chit Chat Session
Kindly enlighten our readers about your book
My book starts with a critical analysis on State-Centric Approaches in understanding World politics and how State and State-Centric paradigms dominated the structure of World Politics. However, after the demise of Soviet Union (post 1991) new actors (Non-State Actors/ Armed Non-State Actors) began to penetrate the anarchical structure of the State. The structure of World Politics has become more complicated with an entry of NSA/ANSA that are epitomized by radical Islamic interpretation. In short, the book explores the defining characteristics and evolutionary dynamics of Armed Non-State Actors with an analysis on ISIS. Furthermore, it emphasizes the role of religion in world politics.
How much research and efforts were required on your part to complete this masterpiece.
There has always been an intricacy in defining NSA/ANSA and I was interested to explore the area. I started my research on this topic since 2014 and that was the same year when ISIS captured second biggest city in Iraq (Mosul) and declared Caliphate. I started reading on both and found similarity in operational structure. That was when I decided to fuse both and read more on it.
Initially I started reading articles in newspapers (The Hindu, Times of India etc.) and magazines (Economist, Time, Foreign Affairs etc.), UN resolutions about ISIS and World Politics. Then I started reading National and International Journals on the same topic. That was when I came across books by Jessica Stern, Dalacoura etc.
I have also referred to Congressional Research Service, U.K Parliament Documents etc. When I look at the journey, the only thing that drove me foreword was my interest to acquire more information on these topics. I took me almost five years to complete this endeavor. I have read end number of book, journals, magazine/newspaper articles, UN resolutions etc. to put my work into shape of what it is today. It has indeed been an interesting journey overall.
How do you manage writing along with your profession?
Coming from an academic background, topics such as ISIS, Armed Non-State Actors were a part of my Masters and M.Phil Thesis so it was not hard for me to write.
Self Publishing vs Traditional Publishing, which one do you prefer and why?
I believe the publishing sector have transformed and have overlapped with Globalization and Digital Transformation. Nowadays one can get published with a click of a smartphone. Self-Publishing and Traditional Publishing has its own significance. With self publishing, one will have freedom with pricing, cover design etc. I think all authors would want that freedom. Notion Press has been very helpful for that matter. From initial process of publishing to marketing guidance, they have always been supportive.
Which International authors inspire you?
Well, there are many International authors that I admire Francis Fukuyama, Samuel P. Huntington, Edward Said, Michel Foucault, Katherina Dalacoura, Ersel Aydinli, William Wallace et al. For me it depends on the genre. For instance Francis Fukuyama’s work is a must read for scholars working on Neo-Liberal understanding. Michel Foucault’s work is more confined with philosophical understanding of Genealogy, Power Knowledge etc. Ersel Aydinli’s and William Wallace’s work focuses on Non-State Actors/Armed Non-State Actors. Similarly, Katherina Dalacoura’s, Jessica Stern et al. have worked on International Terrorism, Radical Islamic interpretation, Al-Qaeda, ISIS etc.
What according to you is unique about your book?
When one looks at the understanding of NSA/ANSA, it is heavily entangled with various theoretical analysis. However, clear concepts have not been laid down yet. I have tried to detangle the understanding on NSA/ANSA with an analysis on ISIS and have shown path to scholars trying to understand the role played by religion and ANSA in World Politics.
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Don’t look at the market and the crowd. If one explores and writes on topics that one is interested in then definitely the work will take a proper shape.
What is the next book that you have planned?
I have not planned it yet. I am thinking of a topic that would connect with the current book.
