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Why was Bismarck interested in England's problem «The Defence of India»? What was the part played by India in Berlin's diplomatic circles during the time of Imperialism? How did Kaiser Wilhelm II and the German Foreign Office react to growing Indian nationalism? How did Berlin become the center of Indian revolutionaries during the First World War? These are some of the questions dealt with in this book which is based mainly on documentary sources not previously used. Interesting and provocative material interpreted by a well informed author.

In African terms the possession of a single nationality was the unique resource on which the Swazi monarchy could build in order to have constituted a royally dominated nationalism at independence. Accompanied by constraints whose origins are colonial and neo-colonial, Swazi foreign policy has in its own distinctive way, attempted to preserve Swaziland's independence since. Against the background of the deep conflict within the region, Swaziland's position in the international relations of Southern Africa has been contested, not least by its decision to sign a security agreement with South Africa in 1982, the first OAU state to do so.

This study of Wolfram's Parzival concentrates on service for riches in medieval knighthood. The epic is interpreted as a conflict between reciprocal feudal loyalty and self-centered mercenary service. The actions of Gahmuret, Anfortas, Parzival, and Feirefiz are held up against the historical background of the crusades, where service for abstract ideals is undermined by service for material gain. Although the power of riches is subdued by the sword in the end, the author maintains that the Parzival is an heroic defense of feudal values in an historical state of decline. He also criticizes traditional Parzival interpretations based on the chivalric system of the virtues, religious didactics, courtly love relationships, and dynastic relationships.