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Luis Da Vinha

De Montfort University, Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities, Faculty Member

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Luis da Vinha is a Senior Lecturer at De Montfort University. He holds a PhD in International Relations from the College of Economics of the University of Coimbra (Portugal). His scholarly and intellectual interests include Foreign Policy Analysis, International Relations, International Security, and Political Geography.

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Books by Luis Da Vinha

China vis-à-vis the EU: The Competition for Africa’s Smart Cities

The Palgrave Handbook on China-Europe-Africa Relations, 2025

Rapid population growth and urbanization have placed considerable pressure on African cities. Urb... more Rapid population growth and urbanization have placed considerable pressure on African cities. Urban sprawl, traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and criminal activity associated with these phenomena have increasingly seized policymakers’ attention. In an attempt to address these challenges, governments across Africa have embraced the concept of smart cities as a way to capitalize on new technologies and data analytics to address the pressing economic, social, and political realities facing dynamic urban environments. Currently, China, the European Union (EU), and the United States are the largest providers of smart city technologies, and they are increasingly targeting the African market. China has used a host of bilateral and multilateral agreements to provide Smart City solutions as part of its Digital Silk Road initiative. The EU has also recently increased its commitment to strengthening its relationship with African states and boosting its provision of many of the digital products and services underscoring smart cities. However, China and the EU embrace two distinct approaches to smart city development. The Chinese approach emphasizes pragmatic goals and seeks to strengthen state capacity. In contrast, the EU’s approach rests on a development perspective that looks to empower citizens. Ultimately, these two contrasting approaches to smart cities embody significantly different conceptions of democracy and the relationship between state actors and citizens. As both China and the EU increase their digital development initiatives in Africa, this chapter assesses how the growth of smart cities in Africa will affect Sino-European relations. More precisely, it seeks to understand how the growing competition between China and the EU to shape Africa’s Smart Cities can contribute to the emerging geopolitical competition among the two actors. To do so, we analyze key Chinese and European strategic policies for promoting smart city technologies in Africa, assessing their potential for promoting Sino-European competition in defining the future of Africa’s smart cities.

In Search of the Elusive Trump Doctrine

The Perils of Populism: The End of the American Century?, 2023

For the past two centuries, the U.S. has witnessed the proliferation of numerous foreign policy d... more For the past two centuries, the U.S. has witnessed the proliferation of numerous foreign policy doctrines that allegedly serve to guide the nation's international relations. In recent years, there has been considerable debate around the question of whether there is a Trump doctrine and, if so, what its main features are. Several officials in the Trump administration have adamantly insisted that the Trump doctrine is a radical rearticulation of U.S. foreign policy. Others, however, have rejected the mere idea of a Trump doctrine. To address the questions regarding the Trump doctrine, we employ a longitudinal comparative design and use a structured focus comparison to analyze Trump's Middle East policy-namely the decision to surge U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the U.S. military strikes in Syria (2017 and 2018), the cancelation of the strike on Iran after the downing of a U.S. drone, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria, and the killing of Iranian General Qasem Suleimani. Our case studies confirm that Trump's unique management style hindered the development of a coherent and consistent set of principles that could guide U.S. foreign policy, and we argue for a foreign policy decision-making process that is based on a more informed and judicious assessment of the challenges to America's national interest.

CoverFrom “Nipple” to “Nambia” and Everything In-Between: Donald Trump’s Mental Maps and the Unraveling of the Liberal World (Dis)Order

U.S. Democracy in Danger: The American Political System Under Assault, 2023

Donald Trump ran for the American presidency attacking his opponents and allies and promising to ... more Donald Trump ran for the American presidency attacking his opponents and allies and promising to upend politics in Washington and around the world. Trump advocated for an “America First” foreign policy that denounced America’s postwar project of promoting the liberal international order. In place of international institutions and multilateral cooperation, Trump emphasized a populist-nationalist strategy favoring unilateral action. Rather than seeking to promote a “global community,” Trump engaged in international relations as a zero-sum game where nations compete for advantage. Underscoring this behavior and the “America First” foreign policy were Trump’s mental maps of a weak and insecure America that was exploited by international and domestic elites. Trump also helped shaped the mental maps of many Americans by creating a sense of crisis about the nation’s place in the world. Emphasizing a host of security threats ranging from economic to existential insecurity, which justified a radical transformation of policies to “Make America Great Again.”

Political Geography

Routledge Handbook of Foreign Policy Analysis Methods, 2023

Political Geography has a long and complex history. It has oscillated between being the central f... more Political Geography has a long and complex history. It has oscillated between being the central focus of geographical inquiry and being an academic chagrin that faded into scholarly obscurity. In recent decades, Political Geography has again captured the interest of geographers and political scientists alike, encompassing a broad array of conceptual, theoretical, and methodological approaches. This chapter provides an overview of how Political Geography has engaged with foreign policy issues over time, detailing the historical relationship between political geography and foreign policy, as well as assessing the main conceptual and methodological issues contributing to the development of the discipline. The chapter also offers an empirical example using geographical mental maps as an analytical concept to illustrate how Political Geography can contribute to improving our understanding of foreign policy decision-making.

Dangers on the Edge of the Map: Geographic Mental Maps and the Emergence of the Carter Doctrine

Geopolitics and International Relations: Grounding World Politics Anew, 2021

Three Approaches to Presidential Foreign Policy-Making in the Twenty-First Century: The Executive, the Magistrate, and the Maverick

by Luis Da Vinha and Anthony Dutton

Political scientists have long determined that a president’s relationships with his advisors is c... more Political scientists have long determined that a president’s relationships with his advisors is crucial in determining an administration’s policies. Over the last several decades, scholars of the presidency have paid particular attention to the advisory structures and processes involved in foreign policy decision-making. Their work has contributed to the development and refinement of three presidential management models to help frame the analysis of foreign policy-making: (1) formalistic model, (2) collegial model, and (3) competitive model. This book analyzes the management models employed by presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump throughout their presidencies by employing a structured-focus comparison method that is framed on a set of general and standardized questions used to analyze a series of case studies involving their Middle East policies. The book offers the first systematic comparative analysis of presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump’s management of foreign policy crises.

Uma Relação Complexa: O Multilateralismo e a Política Externa Norte-Americana no Século XXI

O Multilateralismo: Conceitos e Práticas no Século XXI, 2019

A eleição de Donald Trump foi um choque para a comunidade internacional. A sua eleição represento... more A eleição de Donald Trump foi um choque para a comunidade internacional. A sua eleição representou o culminar de um movimento de crescente desconfiança e desencanto com o envolvimento norte-americano nas instituições internacionais. No seu primeiro ano à frente da presidência norte-americana, Trump rejeitou um conjunto de acordos multilaterais em nome da (re)imposição da soberania nacional. Embora as políticas de Trump tenham provocado ampla condenação internacional, estas não representam um impulso singular na política externa norte-americana. Os EUA tiveram um papel primordial na construção da ordem liberal, desenhando e constituindo um conjunto de instituições internacionais. Contudo, os EUA sempre mantiveram uma relação complexa com estas mesmas instituições. Este capítulo analisa a relação dos EUA com as instituições internacionais salientando as dinâmicas de cooperação e tensão, nomeadamente desde o final da Guerra Fria. O capítulo salienta, em particular, o contexto político doméstico e a forma como este condiciona a ação internacional dos EUA. O atual momento político apresenta desafios acrescidos para os EUA, pois o sistema internacional encontra-se em fluxo e os EUA já não dispõem de um estatuto hegemónico. Neste sentido, o capítulo também reflete sobre os desafios futuros que os EUA enfrentam e as alternativas políticas disponíveis para os governantes americanos.

The election of Donald Trump stunned the international community. His election represented the culmination of America’s growing distrust and disenchantment with international institutions. In his first year at the helm of the US presidency, Trump rejected a set of multilateral agreements in the name of (re)imposing America’s national sovereignty. Although Trump’s policies have led to widespread international disapproval, they do not represent a unique posture in US foreign policy. The US played a key role in building the postwar liberal order by designing and building a set of international institutions. However, the US has always maintained a complex relationship with these same institutions. This chapter analyzes America’s relationship with international institutions, highlighting the dynamics of cooperation and tension, particularly since the end of the Cold War. The chapter emphasizes how America’s unique domestic political context constrains its international behavior. Moreover, the current structural shift in the international system presents major challenges to the US since it no longer holds a hegemonic status. In this sense, the chapter also reflects on the future challenges facing the US and the political alternatives available to US policy-makers.

Assessing State Partition as a Conflict Management Strategy in Sub-Saharan Africa

(Re)Definições das Fronteiras: Desafios para o Século XXI , 2019

The international community has endorsed territorial partition on several occasions in recent his... more The international community has endorsed territorial partition on several occasions in recent history as a way to separate belligerent factions and as an attempt to secure a peaceful settlement to intrastate conflicts. The underlying rationale underscoring calls for partition is that only the physical separation of warring groups can assure of a lasting peace settlement. The African continent has been particularly ravaged by intrastate conflicts over the decades. However, while the international community has sought to actively address the conflicts in Africa, it has been reluctant to sponsor or endorse partition as a mechanism for managing intrastate war. With the exceptions of Ethiopia (creation of Eritrea in 1993) and Sudan (creation of South Sudan in 2011), partition has not been a viable option for addressing the conflicts which have scourged the continent for over half a century. This chapter reviews the cases of Eritrea and South Sudan and assesses the viability of partition as a conflict management strategy.

From "Gringos Malhechores" to "Bad Hombres": The Changing Narratives and Politics of the Mexican-American Border

(Re)Definições das Fronteiras: Velhos e Novos Paradigmas, 2018

The Mexican-American border has long been a key feature determining the relationship between the ... more The Mexican-American border has long been a key feature determining the relationship between the two neighboring nations. Over the last two centuries, the border has had many different meanings for both Mexicans and Americans. During some periods it has represented a space of cooperation and interdependence. However, for much of the last two centuries, the border has been portrayed as a dangerous place which must be secured in order to eradicate critical threats to one of the nations. In this chapter, we illustrate how throughout much of the nineteenth century, for Mexico, the border required protection against the criminals and malefactors from the north, while since the twentieth century Mexican transborder activities have been portrayed as a threat to America’s economy, security, and identity. The changing mental maps of the Mexican-American border have significantly influenced the relationship between both countries, particularly hindering greater cooperation and integration.

Geographic Mental Maps and Foreign Policy Change: Re-Mapping the Carter Doctrine

In recent years geographic mental maps have made a comeback into the spotlight of scholarly inqui... more In recent years geographic mental maps have made a comeback into the spotlight of scholarly inquiry in the area of International Relations (IR), particularly Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA).
The book is framed within the mental map research agenda. It seeks to contribute and expand the theoretical and empirical development and application of geographic mental maps as an analytical concept for international politics. More precisely, it presents a theoretical framework for understanding how mental maps are employed in foreign policy decision-making and highlights the mechanisms involved in their transformation.
The theoretical framework presented in this book employs the latest conceptual and theoretical insight from numerous other scientific fields such as social psychology and organizational theory.
In order to test the theoretical propositions outlined in the initial chapters, the book assesses how the Carter Administration’s changing mental maps impacted its Middle East policy. In other words, the book applies geographic mental maps as an analytical tool to explain the development of the Carter Doctrine.
The book is particularly targeted at academics, students, and professionals involved in the fields of Human Geography, IR, Political Geography, and FPA.

Dealing with Risk: Precision Strikes and Interventionism in the Obama Administration

by Luis Da Vinha and Andre Barrinha

Precision Strike Warfare and International Intervention: Strategic, Ethico-Legal and Decisional Implications , 2014

In Search of a Morally Pragmatic Foreign Policy: The Carter Administration’s Human Rights Policy

Democracia, Direitos Humanos e Justiça Global, 2013

Política externa: modelos, actores e dinâmicas

Política Externa: As Relações Internacionais em Mudança, 2011

Esta proposta de Estudos resulta da identificação de lacunas bibliográficas, especialmente no que... more Esta proposta de Estudos resulta da identificação de lacunas bibliográficas, especialmente no que concerne a estudos sistematizados e inclusivos que combinem teorização e vasta análise empírica na área da política externa. Deste modo, trata-se de um trabalho abrangente, englobando um capítulo teórico sobre actores, processos e teorias de decisão em política externa, e desenvolvendo uma série de estudos de caso identificados como fundamentais, pela sua diversidade geográfica e implicações em termos do dinamismo que representam no (re)ordenamento do sistema internacional. Este estudo analisa os processos associados à formulação e implementação da política externa, como estruturas institucionais, definição da agenda, instrumentos, processo de decisão e prossecução de objectivos, permitindo um entendimento amplo, num enquadramento multi-nível, embora não exaustivo das principais dinâmicas associadas à política externa. A análise de múltiplos estudos de caso confere a este trabalho uma dimensão de estudo não só fundamental como muito necessária nesta área de trabalho e investigação.

Papers by Luis Da Vinha

Smart for Whom_ Africa’s Smart Cities and Digital Authoritarianism

International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence, 2024

The predicament of digital authoritarianism is particularly grievous for Africa because democrati... more The predicament of digital authoritarianism is particularly grievous for Africa because democratic institutions have been gradually eroded in several countries throughout the region. Illiberal regimes, in particular, exploit digital technologies to undermine such fragile democracies as Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Moreover, surveillance technology is expanding throughout the region as national and local governments seek to increase their capacity to monitor and control their populations—a trend that has been aggravated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This article assesses the risks posed by smart cities to democratic institutions and processes by identifying the main models of smart city development and how they conceive of the state and citizens’ relationship, then assessing how smart cities can potentially foster and consolidate digital authoritarianism, with a particular focus on the technology that a regime can exploit to pursue illiberal goals. I provide cases to illustrate how smart city systems promote digital authoritarianism and conclude by discussing proposals to mitigate the technological risks and promote democratic smart cities.

Embracing the Maverick: The Evolution of President Donald Trump's Management of Foreign Policy-Making

by the CEJISS and Luis Da Vinha

Central European Journal of International and Security Studies, 2022

Research on the American presidency reveals that all presidential advisory systems follow a simil... more Research on the American presidency reveals that all presidential advisory systems follow a similar pattern of change over time from standard, formal interagency structures to informal structures in which decisions are made outside the traditional interagency processes. We employ a longitudinal comparative case design to analyze the dynamics of the Trump administration's foreign policy-making to explain how Trump's management of foreign policy decision-making evolved over his tenure in office. By using a focused-structured comparison to analyze five foreign policy case studies, we argue that Trump confirms the main tenets of the evolution model of presidential policy-making which claims that, over time, presidents increasingly rely on informal and ad hoc decision-making structures and processes. However, rather than adopt structures and processes that assured a broad deliberation of options, Trump increasingly sought information and policy options that confirmed his pre-existing beliefs or preferences, replacing individuals in his administration who challenged his views and consolidating the decades-long trend of the personalization of foreign policy decision-making in the hands of the president.

Fostering Active Learning Online Using Interactive Video Lectures

Active Learning in Higher Education: Student Engagement and Deeper Learning Outcomes, 2022

Embracing the Maverick: The Evolution of President Donald Trump’s Management of Foreign Policy-Making

Central European Journal of International and Security Studies , 2022

Research on the American presidency reveals that all presidential advisory systems follow a simil... more Research on the American presidency reveals that all presidential advisory systems follow a similar pattern of change over time from standard, formal interagency structures to informal structures in which decisions are made outside the traditional interagency processes. We employ a longitudinal comparative case design to analyze the dynamics of the Trump administration’s foreign policy-making to explain how Trump’s management of foreign policy decision-making evolved over his tenure in office. By using a focused-structured comparison to analyze five foreign policy case studies, we argue that Trump confirms the main tenets of the evolution model of presidential policy-making which claims that, over time, presidents increasingly rely on informal and ad hoc decision-making structures and processes. However, rather than adopt structures and processes that assured a broad deliberation of options, Trump increasingly sought information and policy options that confirmed his pre-existing beliefs or preferences, replacing individuals in his administration who challenged his views and consolidating the decades-long trend of the personalization of foreign policy decision-making in the hands of the president

Using Hybrid Simulations to Enhance Student Learning of International Relations Theories

Issues in Educational Research, 2021

The theoretical frameworks explicitly or implicitly employed by diplomatic historians and interna... more The theoretical frameworks explicitly or implicitly employed by diplomatic historians and international relations scholars can lead to significantly different explanations for the same historical events. Therefore, a sound understanding of the basic international relations theories is required for a more comprehensive understanding of international politics. However, students tend to shun theoretical topics and debates, considering them irrelevant to practical issues and problems that they face in their daily lives. This paper argues for employing simulations as a way of enhancing student learning of international relations theories. It provides a justification and outline for the organisation and development of a hybrid simulation using the Council on Foreign Relation's Model Diplomacy interactive platform. Hybrid simulations integrate components of both face-toface and cyber simulations, with students physically interacting during the more formal simulation procedures (e.g., making formal policy statements and voting) and using the cyber environments for informal activities (e.g., as negotiations). Ultimately, hybrid simulations transform the learning environment by restructuring the interaction process between instructors and students and can contribute to enhancing student learning and their understanding of the main theories underscoring international relations theories. The use of hybrid simulations becomes more relevant as universities continue to promote more online educational opportunities for students and as unanticipated disruptions require them to have more options available to continue providing students with the best educational experiences possible.

A tale of two red lines: Managing foreign policy crises in the Obama and Trump administrations

Comparative Strategy, 2021

International crises emphasize the critical role that presidents and their advisory systems play ... more International crises emphasize the critical role that presidents and their advisory systems play in formulating and implementing foreign policy. Scholarly research has identified three distinct conceptual models of how presidents manage their decision-making systems-the competitive, for-malistic, and collegial models. This article examines how Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump managed their advisory systems and formulated their policies toward Syria after the Assad regime employed chemical weapons against its people. The case studies demonstrate that each president employed a different approach to the decision-making processes, which significantly influenced the U.S. response to Syria's use of chemical weapons.

Maps of War And Peace: Rethinking Geography In International Affairs

Brown Journal of World Affairs, 2019