This introductory chapter introduces the reader to the topic of internal self-determination and why a study on it is required. The chapter also explains the critical approach adopted by the author and the chapter outline.

Scholarly interest in the law of state responsibility has been on the rise during recent years, and increasingly so critical explorations. In contrast to much other literature this study adopts a comprehensive, critical approach to state responsibility in order to elicit discussions about state responsibility in the broader context of international responsibility. It explores the role and functions of state responsibility highlighting the fact that multiple purposes are ascribed to state responsibility ranging from its reparative function to the maintenance of world peace. It is argued that state responsibility no longer enjoys a unique position in international law and that its importance varies across the different branches of international law. International practice has developed away from one general law of wrongs. Specialized regimes have grown next to state responsibility that fare better in meeting the standard of functionality, which will be the basis for appraisal in this study.

This chapter offers a critical consideration of behavior change scholarship. It introduces the complexity of behavior change and provides a brief overview of major concerns that have been raised regarding behavior change theories and models. It then discusses how critical and qualitative approaches can provide a response to some of these concerns and how qualitative approaches have value for extending practice in this field. The chapter provides arguments for using qualitative research in behavior change research, gives examples of where qualitative approaches have been employed, and outlines social practice theory as a means to address many of the concerns about dominant approaches to behavior change. The chapter also discusses critical perspectives and their value to the field of behavior change research and implementation. In the final sections, the chapter outlines the benefits of researchers and practitioners working interdisciplinarily, advocates the importance of understanding and incorporating qualitative approaches into behavior change research, and highlights the value of taking a broader, more critical perspective on research and practice in this field.

Marie-Thérèse Claes’s chapter examines the impact of positivist theories in intercultural management and proposes three further positions that hold a scientific view of culture, making a distinction between emic and etic approaches. In particular, this chapter suggests a move from positivist to interpretive, postmodern and critical approaches, all of which are illustrated with examples.