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  • © 2011

The Politics of Emerging Strategic Technologies

Implications for Geopolitics, Human Enhancement and Human Destiny

Palgrave Macmillan

Part of the book series: St Antony's Series (STANTS)

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Table of contents (18 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
  2. General Introduction

    1. General Introduction

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 1-11
  3. Emerging Strategic Technologies: Geopolitical Implications

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 13-13
    2. Introduction

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 15-17
    3. Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 18-46
    4. Energy and Climate Change

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 47-72
    5. Health Care

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 73-87
    6. Biotechnology

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 88-105
    7. Genomics

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 106-122
    8. Nanotechnology

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 123-138
    9. Materials Science

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 139-151
    10. Artificial Intelligence

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 152-171
    11. Conclusions of Part I

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 172-174
  4. Emerging Strategic Technologies: Human Enhancement, Dignity and Destiny Implications

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 175-175
    2. Introduction: Definitions, Terms and Concepts

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 177-193
    3. Human Enhancement: The Nature of the Debate

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 194-207
    4. The Science and Technology of Human Enhancement

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 208-223
    5. Criteria for a Regulatory Framework of Human Enhancement

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 245-255
    6. Conclusions of Part II

      • Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan
      Pages 256-259

About this book

Examines key trends in emerging strategic technologies and the implications for geopolitics and human dignity. Al-Rodhan argues that future evolution into transhumans is inevitable. In preparation, the global community is urged to establish strict moral and legal guidelines balancing innovation with the guarantee of dignity for all.

Reviews

'This is a fascinating account of the interplay of new technologies and national power. It goes beyond mechanistic estimates to explore social and political consequences of a world reshaped by technological change. The discussion of human enhancement through drugs or genetic manipulation is engrossing and raises new and difficult problems, both political and ethical, for what will soon be a very different world. The scope of the book, with its discussion of a full range of new technologies of consequences, makes it unique and insightful as a guide to one of the fundamental forces that will reshape international politics.' - James Lewis, Director and Senior Fellow, Technology and Public Policy Program, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, United States

'This book takes a broad look at emerging technologies and their role in enabling humanity to further its evolution. Nayef Al-Rodhan comprehensively addresses the key trends of these strategic technologies and the highly relevant geopolitical and strategic implications. Within this framework, he highlights the need for setting transnational policies in place to ensure ubiquitous human dignity and the freedom to choose our own destiny. This study is a scientific and breathtaking voyage into the future that will enchant the reader and encourage society to meditate on our human nature and subsequent responsibilities.' - Giovanni De Micheli, Director of the Electrical Engineering Institute and Integrated Systems Centre at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Switzerland

'...recommend the book for policymakers and anyone interested in the future of emerging technologies, as it gives a great introduction to each technology. It is informative, well structured and easy to follow. The style is clear and enjoyable to read. This book helps understand the landscape of the debate and gives a solid foundation for further analysis.' - Johann A. R. Roduit, Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy

Authors and Affiliations

  • St Antony’s College, Oxford University, UK

    Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan

  • Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Geneva, Switzerland

    Nayef R. F. Al-Rodhan

About the author

Dr. Nayef R.F.Al-Rodhan is Senior Member of St. Antony's College, University of Oxford, UK, and Senior Fellow and Director of the Centre for the Geopolitics of Globalisation and Transnational Security at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Switzerland. He is a philosopher, neuroscientist and geostrategist. A prize-winning scholar, he has published twenty one books proposing many innovative concepts and theories in global politics, security, philosophy and history. He was educated at Yale University, the Mayo Clinic and Harvard University. He is best known for several philosophical and analytic books on global politics that include: The Role of the Arab-Islamic World in the Rise of the West (Palgrave, 2012); Sustainable History and the Dignity of Man; Emotional Amoral Egoism; Neo-Statecraft and Meta-Geopolitics; The Politics of Emerging Strategic Technologies (Palgrave, 2011); and Symbiotic Realism.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access