Central / national / federal government Books

Book SynopsisShortlisted for Debut Political Book of the Year at The Paddy Power Political Book Awards 2015 All ministerial careers end in failure, but they start in hope. True, not everyone expects to end up in No. 10, but everyone wants to do something important. Politics has all sorts of downsides as a career choice but the fortunate few get the opportunity to do something meaningful - prevent or win wars, reduce poverty, create the NHS or, just sometimes, put an end to real injustice. How to Be a Minister launches you into your fledgling ministerial career and shows you how to proceed. This is a fail-safe guide to how to survive as a Secretary of State in Her Majesty's Government, from dealing with civil servants, Cabinet colleagues, the opposition and the media, to coping with the bad times whilst managing the good (and how to resign with a modicum of dignity intact when it all inevitably falls apart). Co-written by former Labour minister John Hutton and former Permanent Secretary Sir Leigh Lewis, How to Be a Minister is not only an invaluable survival guide for ambitious MPs but a tantalising view into the working lives of the people we elect to run our country.Trade ReviewA must for ambitious thrusters in the Conservative Parliamentary Party 2010 intake. Keith Simpson MP For anyone who wants to know how government really works, this book is a must. Gus O'Donnell, Former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service "John Hutton and Leigh Lewis do an excellent job in their new version of How to be a Minister... Part I is a vivid description and a valuable guide to the plethora of factors which help or hinder ministers ... Rookie shadow cabinet ministers are pretty busy at the moment. However, if I were you, I would put this on your Christmas list. It could come in useful for next May." Jacqui Smith, Progress

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Book SynopsisIf you ever wondered who becomes an American ambassador and why, this is the book for you. It describes how Foreign Service officers become ambassadors by rising up through the ranks, and why they typically make up about 70 percent of the total number of ambassadors. It also covers where the other 30 percent come from—the political appointees who get the job because they helped elect the president by supporting him as a campaign contributor, a political ally, or a personal friend. It explains why, despite being illegal and a threat to national security, selling the title of ambassador remains a common practice that is also unique to the United States. It considers why some suggestions for reform are misguided, what might be done, and why who the president is matters so much in determining how well the United States will be represented abroad. This updated and revised edition of Jett's classic book not only provides a timely overview of American ambassadorship for Foreign Service Officers, aspiring diplomats, and interested citizens, but also calls for much-needed reform, describing the dire implications of failing to change our ambassadorial appointments process for the future of American diplomatic practice and foreign policy.Table of ContentsFOREWORDINTRODUCTIONA BRIEF HISTORY OF THE TITLEWHO GETS TO BE AN AMBASSADOR: THE TRADITIONAL ROUTEWHO GETS TO BE AN AMBASSADOR: THE NONTRADITIONAL ROUTETHE LAST STEPS: CLEARANCE AND CONFIRMATIONWHAT AN AMBASSADOR DOESWHERE AN AMBASSADOR GOESWHY IT MATTERS AND HOW IT MIGHT BE CHANGED

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Grisham’s book shows considerably more humility and self-reflection than that of any other Trump administration veteran I’ve read (and I’ve pretty much read them all).” — Laura Miller, Slate “Salacious and score-settling.” — The Guardian “Part giddy travelogue, part belated apologia, part petty payback, all personal-therapy session.” — New York Times

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Book Synopsis The New York Times bestselling author of The Gatekeepers and The Spymasters now turns his sharp eye towards the historic 2024 presidential race, providing the definitive, insider account of the most dramatic and significant political showdown in modern American history.A disastrous debate, a would-be assassin?s bullet, an electrifying eleventh hour candidate swap, dramatic and surprising VP selections, betrayals behind closed doors, charges of a stolen election, game-changing blunders?the history-making 2024 presidential election is a political saga of Shakespearean proportions. In minute-by-minute detail, esteemed White House historian and political analyst Chris Whipple chronicles the unprecedented drama as it unfolds, documenting the true story of the Harris and Trump campaigns and the difficult, urgent decisions made in the back rooms of power, with the future of American democracy at stake.Alternating between the Biden/Harris/Walz and the Trump/Vance camps, Whipple tells the fly-on-the-wall story of campaign 2024, drawing on his unique access to exclusive sources on both sides, including conversations with members of the candidates? inner circles. Whipple goes behind the scenes of every headline-making moment to reveal how a post-debate intra-party rebellion forced Biden to step aside, how the nomination of Vice President Harris at a thrilling convention reshaped the race, how Harris rallied excited voters across generations and demographics, but ultimately could not overcome the underlying weaknesses of her campaign. Whipple also burrows inside Donald Trump?s campaign to reveal startling new insights into how he overcame primary opponents and multiple prosecutions, rebranded his base to appeal to Gen Z voters, and forged powerful alliances with Silicon Valley CEOs like Elon Musk.An intimate portrait of American politics on the edge, filled with previously untold stories, anecdotes, and insights, Uncharted is the authoritative account of this pivotal chapter in American politics. As he brings to life the most dramatic and important presidential campaign of the modern age and puts it into historical perspective, Whipple exposes how ambition, conviction, and resilience collide at the highest echelons of power, offering a deeper understanding of the forces that define a divided nation.

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Book SynopsisVery Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring The British constitution is regarded as unique among the constitutions of the world. What are the main characteristics of Britain''s peculiar constitutional arrangements? How has the British constitution altered in response to the changing nature of its state - from England, to Britain, to the United Kingdom? What impact has the UK''s developing relations with the European Union caused?These are some of the questions that Martin Loughlin addresses in this Very Short Introduction. As a constitution, it is one that has grown organically in response to changes in the economic, political, and social environment, and which is not contained in a single authoritative text.By considering the nature and authority of the current British constitution, and placing it in the context of others, Loughlin considers how the traditional idea of a constitution came to be retained, what problems have been generated as a result of adapting a tTable of Contents1: The existential question 2: What constitution? 3: Writing the constitution 4: Parliamentary government 5: Reconfiguring the State 6: Civil liberty 7: Whither the constitution?

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Book SynopsisMedia Power, Media Politics examines the role and influence of the media in every sphere of American politics. Organized thematically, the book analyzes the relationship between the media and key institutions, political actors, and nongovernmental entities, as well as the role of the new media, media ethics, and foreign policy coverage.Trade ReviewMedia Power, Media Politics provides an excellent overview of the interaction between different governmental figures and the media. It clearly illustrates how the media covers political actors, and also how political actors seek to utilize the media. The well-written chapters are a great foundation for spurring class discussion. Of the three books I assigned for my Mass Media and Government class, this was clearly the favorite! -- Allison Clark, University of GeorgiaMy students found Media Power, Media Politics easy to read and it gave them the academic foundation with which to base their theoretical understanding of the media. It is an excellent text that does not seem to go out of date quickly. -- Alison Dagnes, Shippensburg UniversityTable of ContentsPart 1 Introduction: Media Power, Media Politics Part 2 The Presidency and News Media Part 3 The Congress and News Media Chapter 5 Interview: The Honorable Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) Part 6 Press Coverage of the United States Supreme Court Chapter 7 Assignment: Generational Change in Media Consumption Part 8 Civil Rights and Liberties: The Gatekeeping Power of the Media Chapter 9 Interview: Janet Terry, Local News Writer/Producer Part 10 Bureaucracy and the Media Chapter 11 Assignment: media Exposure Survey Part 12 A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing: What We Know About the Role of Media in State Politics Chapter 13 Interview: Brenna Holmes, Online Political Activist/Consultant Part 14 Political Parties and the Media Part 15 Presidential Elections and the Media Chapter 16 Interview: David Marks, Politics Editor of Politico.com Part 17 The News Meida and Organized Interests in the United States Chapter 18 Assignment: The Political Message of your Favorite Movie Part 19 The Media and Public Opinion Chapter 20 Assignment: Playing Politics on Social Networks Part 20 The New Bully Pulpit: Global Media and Foreign Policy Part 21 The Central Role of Media and Communication in Terrorism and Counterterrorism Chapter 22 Interview: Ed Morrissey, Political Blogger Part 23 The New Media

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Book SynopsisTo save both democracy and a decent economy, here is why it is crucial that Americans elect a truly progressive president.Trade Review"A beautifully written book, hauntingly disturbing as it describes the Republican assault on our democracy and the real dangers of a second Trump administration, but hopeful as it proposes a way forward for an electoral victory and the enactment of a progressive agenda that would restore dignity and living standards to all Americans." -- Joseph Stiglitz

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Book SynopsisExamines a new type of federal preemption statute popular since 1965 that allows states to retain a certain amount of regulatory discretion, with a focus on environmental statutes. Congress possesses broad regulatory powers, including the power of complete or partial preemption of state and local regulatory powers. Congress rarely enacted preemption statutes before the twentieth century, but since the 1960s such interventions have grown significantly in number, now totaling over seven hundred, and have transformed the nature of the American federal system. In Innovative Congressional Minimum Standards Preemption Statutes, Joseph F. Zimmerman provides the background and history of this critical transformation, classifying the forms these federal interventions have taken, with a focus on statutes dealing with such environmental issues as water and air quality, restoration of surface-mined areas, and still other areas that, collectively, have produced a revolution in relations between Congress and the states. Contrary to public perceptions of preemption being one-sided and heavy-handed, Zimmerman details the many variations present in these statutes that accommodate state and local interests, allowing for administrative and policy flexibility, and a generally cooperative relationship between states and localities and federal administrative agencies.

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Book SynopsisExam board: AQALevel: A-levelSubject: PoliticsFirst teaching: September 2017First exams: Summer 2018 (AS) Summer 2019 (A-Level)Reinforce your understanding throughout the course. Clear topic summaries with sample questions and answers will help you improve your exam technique to achieve higher grades.Written by experienced teachers Nick Gallop and Paul Fairclough, this Student Guide for Politics:-Identifies the key content you need to know with a concise summary of topics examined in the AS/A-level specifications-Enables you to measure your understanding with exam tips and knowledge check questions, with answers at the end of the guide-Helps you to improve your exam technique with sample answers to exam-style questions-Develops your independent learning skills with content you can use for further study and research

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Book SynopsisVeteran White House reporter April Ryan thought she had seen everything in her two decades as a White House correspondent. And then came the Trump administration. In Under Fire, Ryan takes us inside the confusion and chaos of the Trump White House to understand how she and other reporters adjusted to the new normal. She takes us inside the policy debates, the revolving door of personnel appointments, and what it is like when she, as a reporter asking difficult questions, finds herself in the spotlight, becoming part of the story. With the world on edge and a country grappling with a new controversy almost daily, Ryan gives readers a glimpse into current events from her perspective, not only from inside the briefing room but also as a target of those who want to avoid answering probing questions. After reading her new book, readers will have an unprecedented inside view of the Trump White House and what it is like to be a reporter Under Fire.Trade ReviewThere are times in history when having a government backstage pass might’ve been boring, or academically interesting, or perhaps just pretty cool. But April Ryan, a 21-year veteran White House reporter, is there now, at an absolutely atypical and ever-changing time, with a front row seat to this mess. Well, technically, she sits in the third row, “smack in the middle.” Ryan’s writing is conversational and accessible while also displaying impressive depth of knowledge and access. She provides, for instance, some context behind blundering generalizations made by the 45th president about healthcare, quoting not only from conversations she’s had with a senator the prez said refused to meet with him, but also from scholarly texts about health disparities for different races and socio-economic groups in the United States. Sometimes pointing the spotlight, occasionally in it, Ryan very apparently values truth—seeking it and telling it. This book gives perspective on our most recent presidential election and, though timely, will still be providing valuable insights for years to come. * BUST *This revealing memoir from veteran White House reporter Ryan relates “the backstory of some of the major news events of 2017 and 2018.”.... She clearly portrays the unrelenting stress of being one of the few black reporters on the prestigious White House beat, pulling back the curtain on the “emotional taxes” that African-American people endure daily in the workplace. This account will be an inspiration to those who have to fight similar battles. * Publishers Weekly *[Ryan's] keen insight as a woman of color working for a minority network lends context to the questions on race that she asks during press briefings.... Verdict: An intriguing insight into the challenges of reporting on Trump. Recommended for readers interested in journalism or politics.” * Library Journal *Journalist April Ryan provides accurate, historic information and perspective for anyone contemplating the 2018 elections and beyond. Under Fire is a must read for truth seekers and those who teach others the difference between media spin, personal commentary and current political facts. -- Martin Luther King, III"April Ryan is one of the most respected journalists in Washington for a reason -- she’s tough as nails, has a wealth of experience, and relentlessly pursues the truth. The qualities that make her a great reporter have also made her a frequent target of the Trump administration. In Under Fire, April Ryan deftly navigates these attacks to deliver a characteristically impartial account of an unprecedented time: she not only documents the chaos, confusion, and turmoil of the Trump era, but speaks to our common values, the enduring and urgent need for truth-tellers, and how the most difficult challenges can bring out the best in who we are. She is a living example of how the fire of adversity often reveals and forges greatness." -- Senator Cory Booker"April’s experience, knowledge, and judgment are on full display in this book. She understands the political process at the highest levels and has never been afraid to ask the tough questions off-record or with the eyes of the world on her or when her courage and mettle have been put to the test. All of these skills come together in a compelling volume that blends her insights with the very questions that we should all be confronting at this unique moment in history." -- Thurgood Marshall, Jr.The narrative is filled with gems. * Kirkus *Ryan, a veteran White House news correspondent for the American Urban Radio Networks, describes some of her disagreements with the press secretary’s office during the first 16 months of the Trump administration. Ironically, Ryan explains, these battles included criticism of her work in 2017 by then White House aide Omarosa Manigault Newman, who subsequently published an unfavorable critique of the Trump administration. Ryan notes some of her interactions with officials from the Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump eras. She is occasionally critical of policy issues that impact African Americans, such as whether the Trump administration should extensively support historically black colleges and universities. Recommended. * CHOICE *Table of ContentsForeword Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: The Rebuke Chapter 2: Healthcare Despair Chapter 3: Becoming the Story Chapter 4: Twitter Trouble Chapter 5: Enemy of the People Chapter 6: Examining the Black Agenda Chapter 7: Education for All? Chapter 8: Divided Nations Chapter 9: Women at Work Index About the Author

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Book SynopsisThe complete riveting transcript of the historic case against the president for igniting the January 6 siege of the Capitol Prosecution of an Insurrection is the complete, riveting transcript of the historic case against President Donald J. Trump for igniting the January 6 siege of the Capitol. Following the norm-shattering attempt by his followers to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, the second impeachment trial of the president seared a new lexicon into our collective consciousness and marked a watershed moment in American history. The case, presented to the Senate by impeachment managers from the House, marked a bravura performance by members of Congress who were themselves the targets of the rioters incited by the president only days earlier. Citizens disturbed by the events of January 2021 and Republican attempts to rewrite history will find in these pages the most authoritative record of one of our democracy’s darkest hours, including: • The official articles of impeachment against the president for incitement of an insurrection • The response of President Trump to the articles of impeachment, on behalf of the House defense lawyers • The complete trial transcript, including the full text of the arguments made by the House representatives and the full text of the president’s defense • Headshots from the trial of all nine House impeachment managers in action, including lead manager Representative Jamie Raskin, as well as all three House defense lawyers • Photographs, timelines, and screenshots of tweets entered as evidence, as well as stills from the videos presented Prosecution of an Insurrection preserves for posterity an episode that ranks with the McCarthy hearings, Watergate, and the Iran-Contra investigation for its importance in American political history.

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Book SynopsisTHE ALL-NEW DIARIES; "Alastair Campbell's diaries have the quality of Pepys ...people will be looking for insights and finding them in 100 years' time." Lord Alex CarlileLaunched to a blaze of critical acclaim, Alastair Campbell's explosive diaries became an instant classic. Now, this eagerly anticipated new volume picks up where its predecessor left off, with Campbell standing down as Tony Blair's director of communications in 2003. Leaving Downing Street, however, isn't as easy as it seems, with Campbell persistently drawn back to the epicentre of power - often to the frustration of his partner, Fiona.As Lord Hutton prepares to publish his report, thus sparking a huge crisis for the BBC, any joy in No. 10 is dwarfed by continuing difficulties in Iraq. Meanwhile, the Blair/Brown relationship is fracturing almost beyond repair, and Campbell is tasked with devising a plan that will enable the two men to fight a united election campaign. At home, Campbell writes frankly of his continuing battles with mental health issues as he attempts to adapt to a new life beyond the confines of Westminster.Lifting the lid on the power battles at the heart of the Labour Party that sowed the seeds of today's turmoil, Outside, Inside is a vivid and compelling insight into modern political history, and a candid reflection on the personal impact of life in the corridors of power.Trade Review"Endlessly fascinating... Alastair Campbell's diaries are a unique historical document, providing testimony from the day things happened, unedited by memory and hindsight." - John Rentoul, The Independent; "Hugely gripping" - Sunday Times; "This is the most fascinating of all the volumes. He is at the centre of everything but with a different perspective" - Steve Richards; "Unputdownable. [A] truly remarkable, fascinating and historic account. Could this be a record of Labour's last ever election win?" - Richard Madeley

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Book SynopsisWelcome to the White House.At the heart of Washington, there is a circus. It's raucous, noisy and full of clowns. Reporting on it is a daily cacophony. Four major stories can blow up and blow out before breakfast, and political weather systems are moving at warp speed. The one thing absent from the weather forecast is the tranquil eye of the storm. That we never see. In A Year at the Circus: Inside Trump's White House, BBC North America Editor, Jon Sopel, takes you inside Trump’s West Wing and explores the impact this presidency has had on the most iconic of American institutions. Each chapter starts inside a famous Washington room, uncovering its history and its new resonance in the Trump era. You are invited to step inside the Oval Office where Trump called for loyalty from FBI Director James Comey, and experience life as a reporter in the Briefing Room, where the tense relationship between the media and the President is played out. Guiding you through these rooms, Jon reveals the inner workings of the Trump White House and details the key moments and conversations that have unfolded within its walls.From Kim Jong-un and Kavanaugh to Merkel and the Mueller Inquiry - this is your insider guide to the Washington Circus. Roll up, roll up ...

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Book SynopsisThe first definitive account of the rise and fall of the Secret Service, from the Kennedy assassination to the alarming mismanagement of the Obama and Trump years, right up to the insurrection at the Capitol on 6 January 2021 — by the Pulitzer Prize winner and #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of A Very Stable Genius Carol Leonnig has been reporting on the Secret Service for The Washington Post for most of the last decade, bringing to light the secrets, scandals, and shortcomings that plague the agency today — from a toxic work culture to dangerously outdated equipment to the deep resentment within the ranks at key agency leaders, who put protecting the agency’s once-hallowed image before fixing its flaws. But the Secret Service wasn’t always so troubled. The Secret Service was born in 1865, in the wake of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, but its story begins in earnest in 1963, with the death of John F. Kennedy. Shocked into reform by its failure to protect the president on that fateful day in Dallas, this once-sleepy agency was radically transformed into an elite, highly trained unit that would redeem itself several times, most famously in 1981 by thwarting an assassination attempt against Ronald Reagan. But this reputation for courage and excellence would not last forever. By Barack Obama’s presidency, the once-proud Secret Service was running on fumes and beset by mistakes and alarming lapses in judgement: break-ins at the White House, an armed gunman firing into the windows of the residence while confused agents stood by, and a massive prostitution scandal among agents in Cartagena, to name just a few. With Donald Trump’s arrival, a series of promised reforms were cast aside, as a president disdainful of public service instead abused the Secret Service to rack up political and personal gains. To explore these problems in the ranks, Leonnig interviewed dozens of current and former agents, government officials, and whistleblowers who put their jobs on the line to speak out about a hobbled agency that’s in desperate need of reform. ‘I will be forever grateful to them for risking their careers,’ she writes, ‘not because they wanted to share tantalising gossip about presidents and their families, but because they know that the Service is broken and needs fixing. By telling their story, they hope to revive the Service they love.’Trade Review‘Terrifying … There is certainly heroism here, and there are certainly plots that were foiled, and there are certainly instances of an agency in the moment being well run and foiling an attack and chasing something down and being on top of stuff. But there is an astonishing litany of stuff they have done wrong and scrapes we have narrowly avoided in this country by the skin of our teeth and through sheer luck … It just flips your stomach up and down. This is one of those books that will go down as the seminal work — the determinative work — in this field.’ -- Rachel Maddow’This book is a wake-up call, and a valuable study of a critically important agency.’ * The New York Times *‘Zero Fail is an important book, one that will ruffle feathers in need of ruffling and that will be useful to legislators, policymakers and historians alike.’ * The Washington Post *‘Here is journalism as a true and honest public service … [Zero Fail] is just terrific.’ * The Wall Street Journal *‘Leonnig's power and authority in Zero Fail is in the marriage of the big picture with details that put a stamp of 'true' on her analysis.’ * NBC-2 *‘Zero Fail, Carol Leonnig’s deeply-researched history of the agency, abounds in the colour of a valet’s-eye view of recent holders of this office.’ * TLS *‘A pacy and absorbing account of the secret service’s heroics, close calls, and blunders.’ -- Pippa Bailey * New Statesman *‘Pulitzer Prize–winning Washington Post reporter Leonnig paints a damning portrait of a federal agency in crisis … A solid case for restructuring a neglected and neglectful agency whose job is too important to admit laxity.’ * Kirkus Reviews *‘A wonderful takedown of the myths that secret service agents are the pillars of an impenetrable wall around the US president … Zero Fail is an extended account of the triumphs and failings of the service, including the near misses and ‘successful’ attempts on the lives of the president and others.’ -- Miles Kemp * The Advertiser, starred review *Praise for A Very Stable Genius: ‘[Rucker and Leonnig] are meticulous journalists, and this taut and terrifying book is among the most closely observed accounts of Donald J. Trump's shambolic tenure in office to date … A Very Stable Genius flicks the lights on from its first pages.’ -- Dwight Garner * New York Times *Praise for A Very Stable Genius: ‘Richly sourced and highly readable … It is not just another Trump tell-all or third-party confessional. It is unsettling, not salacious.’ -- Lloyd Green * The Guardian *Praise for A Very Stable Genius: ‘Imagine, for a moment, a high-octane courtroom prosecutor summing up for the jury a case built on the vivid testimony of multiple eye-witnesses … You could scarcely ask for more capable advocates. Leonnig won a Pulitzer Prize for her reporting on the US Secret Service in 2015, then joined Rucker and others on a team awarded the Pulitzer for stories on Russian interference in the 2016 election. Their new, collaborative account … walks readers step by step through the first 30 months or so of a presidency like no other. They leave little doubt that they and many of their sources regard that presidency as an unmitigated and deepening disaster — a threat to American government as we have known it. Whatever may happen to that impeachment effort in the weeks and months ahead, it creates a moment of intermission in the Trump saga and a chance to consider how the landscape has already been altered by this president. A Very Stable Genius offers a harrowing companion narrative to be read during intermission.’ -- Ron Elving * NPR *

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Book SynopsisThis book analyzes changes to campaigning and voting in the United States in 2020. The global pandemic caused by COVID-19 upended traditional campaign strategies, posed unprecedented challenges to candidates, and possessed the potential to fundamentally alter how campaigns think about running for office. At the same time, the Trump administration’s divisive handling of twin crises stemming from the pandemic and rising racial tensions loomed over congressional races as the most disruptive election cycle in living memory. The ramifications of the 2020 congressional elections for the direction of public policy in America—and perhaps for American democracy itself—cannot be overstated. The Roads to Congress 2020 examines key House and Senate campaigns, candidates, and controversies in the 2020 election to reveal what accounts for the outcomes and point the way to America’s political future.Table of ContentsPart I. Congress in Transition Chapter 1: The 2020 Elections Overview Sean D. Foreman Part II. Congressional Campaign and Election Trends Chapter 2: Voting by Mail John D. Rackey and Tyler Godines Camarillo Chapter 3: How COVID19 affects the election Jennifer Lucas, Tauna Sisco, and Christopher Galdieri Chapter 4: Sex and Social Media Bryan T. Gervais, Heather K. Evans, and Annelise Russell Chapter 5: Forecasting the 2020 elections Rachel Bitecofer and Sam Epstein Part III. U.S. House of Representatives Case Studies Chapter 6: Southern California’s Flipped Congressional Districts: Roads to Reelection Marcia L. Godwin Chapter 7: Florida’s 27 Congressional Districts: Some names and faces change but party control stays the same Sean D. Foreman Chapter 8: New York’s 22nd Congressional District Jeffrey Kraus Chapter 9: Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District William Curtis Ellis Chapter 10: Texas Congressional Districts 22, 23, 24 Walter Clark Wilson Chapter 11: Virginia’s 7th Congressional District Patrick T. Hickey Part IV. U.S. Senate Case Studies Chapter 12: Alabama Senate Campaign Tom Lansford Chapter 13: Arizona Senate Campaign Gina Woodall Chapter 14: Iowa Senate Campaign Douglas M. Brattebo Chapter 15: Kansas Senate and House CampaignsTom Ringenberg Chapter 16: Maine Senate Campaign William C. Binning Chapter 17: North Carolina Senate Campaign Josh Stockley Part V. Roads AheadChapter 18: Lessons Learned from the 2020 Elections Walter Clark Wilson

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Book SynopsisInfrastructure is the foundation of modern economies. A robust, efficient, and well-maintained infrastructure system is critical to support the nation’s economy, improve quality of life, and strengthen global competitiveness. The serious infrastructure deficit in the U.S. is well-known. State and local governments are struggling to finance the needed expansion, upgrades, and repairs. Meeting the infrastructure financing challenge has emerged as one of the most urgent issues facing the country. Despite the growing number of innovations in state and local infrastructure financing, current information on innovative infrastructure financing is scattered and time-consuming to find. Until now, there was no detailed, comprehensive assessment of current knowledge and practice in innovative infrastructure financing. This book fills that gap and offers policy suggestions for state and local government managers who are considering the adoption and implementation of innovative infrastructure financing. It provides detailed case studies and rich examples that describe innovative approaches to fund state and local infrastructure development. These experiences and lessons in applying these innovations will be particularly useful for state and local government practitioners, professors, applied policy analysts, and students in public administration, policy, and public finance.Trade Review“Chen and Bartle’s Innovative Infrastructure Finance provides a foundation for addressing these challenges and maximizing the ‘once in a generation’ funding opportunity for local government managers interested in exploring new ways of implementation and governance, as well as students looking for a primer on infrastructure finance and its practical applications.” (Martin Mayer and Lauren Wargo, Public Works Management & Policy, Vol. 28 (2), April, 2023)Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Challenges and Opportunities of Financing Infrastructure 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Definition and Scope of Infrastructure 1.3 Public Goods and Benefits-Based Revenues 1.4 Trends in State and Local Infrastructure Financing 1.5 Challenges 1.6 Opportunities Chapter 2: Capital Planning and Budgeting for Infrastructure 2.1 What is a Capital Improvement Plan? 2.2 Why Have a Capital Plan and Budget? 2.3 How to Develop a Capital Plan and Budget 2.4 The Process of Capital Planning and Budgeting 2.5 Citizen Involvement in Capital Budgeting 2.6 Emerging Challenges in Capital Planning and Budgeting Chapter 3: Traditional Methods of Financing Infrastructure 3.1 Fundamentals of Infrastructure Finance 3.2 State and Local Infrastructure Financing: Pay-Go versus Pay-Use 3.3 Traditional Infrastructure Financing Methods and Funding Sources Chapter 4: Innovative Mechanisms of Financing Infrastructure 4.1 The Need for Innovative Infrastructure Finance 4.2 An Overview of Innovative Infrastructure Finance 4.3 New Funding Sources 4.4 New Financing Mechanisms 4.5 New Financial Arrangements Chapter 5: Case Studies in Innovative Infrastructure Financing 5.1 Value Capture 5.2 State Infrastructure Banks 5.3 Green, Social and Sustainable Bonds 5.4 Public-Private Partnerships 5.5 Privatization 5.6 Crowdfunding Chapter 6: Conclusion: Putting Innovation into Practice 6.1 Finding 6.2 The Challenge of Innovation 6.3 Conclusion Index

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Book SynopsisAn inside perspective of the federal bureaucracy, with personal intrigue and prescriptions for future administrations."In the United States you can elect any president you want, but a small group of people you’ve never heard of still run everything — year after year, administration after administration. That’s not democracy. It’s oligarchy, and Mark Moyar explains exactly how it works." —Tucker CarlsonThis book tells a remarkable true story of bureaucratic assassination during the Trump presidency, revealing in vivid detail how career federal employees thwarted President Trump’s efforts to drain the swamp.Mark Moyar, a senior political appointee at the US Agency for International Development,

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Book SynopsisAs chairman of the Federal Reserve (1979-1987), Paul Volcker slayed the inflation dragon that was consuming the American economy and restored the world's faith in central bankers. That extraordinary feat was just one pivotal episode in a decades-long career serving six presidents.Told with wit, humour, and down-to-earth erudition, the narrative of Volcker's career illuminates the changes that have taken place in American life, government, and the economy since World War II. He vibrantly illustrates the crises he managed alongside the world's leading politicians, central bankers, and financiers. Yet he first found his model for competent and ethical governance in his father, the town manager of Teaneck, NJ, who instilled Volcker's dedication to absolute integrity and his "three verities" of stable prices, sound finance, and good government.

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Book SynopsisCity governments are going bankrupt. Even the ones that aren’t are often stuck in financial chaos. It is easy to blame pensions, poor leadership, or a bad economy. But the problems go much deeper. With decades of experience in local government, author Mark Moses showcases the inside world of the city decision-making process that has spawned these crises. It becomes clear: City governments are maxing out their budgets because they are trying to maximize services. This book, likely the most ambitious attempt by someone who has worked in government to radically examine the delivery of municipal services since 'Reinventing Government' was published more than 25 years ago, explores why city governments pursue an open-ended mission and why bailouts and trendy budgeting processes will be, at best, only temporary solutions. Of interest to current and future city council members, regional and state government officials, those covering city government, financial analysts, city management, and individuals and organizations interested in influencing city policy, this book argues that cities won’t thrive until city hall is disrupted.Table of ContentsChapter 1 : Train Wreck Spotting (The Municipal Financial Crisis Is Here).- Chapter 2: Inside City Budgeting.- Chapter 3: What City Government Does and What City Government Is.- Chapter 4: Why City Council Decisions Go Wrong.- Chapter 5: Failed Financial Analysis.- Chapter 6: Budget Non-Solutions (Why Conventional Budget Solutions Fail).- Chapter 7: More Non-Solutions (Further Misguided Attempts to Achieve Financial Stability).- Chapter 8: Zero based Activity Scoping (A New Solution).- Chapter 9: Whither City Government​.

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Book SynopsisLiz Truss's journey from schoolgirl revolutionary to Britain's shortest-serving Prime MinisterThe Sunday Times Politics Book of the YearA Guardian Politics Book of the Year 2023An insightful and at times riotously entertaining account of the lengthy rise and abrupt fall of Britain's 56th Prime Minister. What was intended as a prologue to her premiership is now a riveting political obituary in which every page drips with the seeds of both triumph and disaster. Cole and Heale have produced a meticulously reported account of Truss's drive, impulsiveness, eccentricity and ideological certainty which reads like a warning from history. It has elements of tragedy but is frequently very, very funny.' Tim Shipman''Make sure you put your seat belt on. Heale and Cole put you in the passenger seat of the fastest car crash in recent political history. It''s an unmissable romp through Liz Truss''s long journey to the top, fuelled by ambition and espresso. The clues that foretold the extraordinary catastrophe are all there, as the authors reveal in gory detail how Liz Truss nearly had the last laugh, before finally, as her government imploded, the joke was on her.'' Laura KuenssbergDespite being written off and mocked by even her closest colleagues, Liz Truss slowly but determinedly achieved her goal of taking over 10 Downing Street only to instantly plunge her administration into chaos and announce her resignation after a record-breaking 44 days. How did she do it? And what exactly went so wrong?With unrivalled access and insight, award-winning political journalists Harry Cole and James Heale provide the answers, drawing on interviews with Truss's friends and supporters, as well as her worst critics and rivals, from Kwasi Kwarteng to Michael Gove.Tracking Truss's transformation from geeky teenage Lib Dem to Tory PM, with the inside scoop on her first and only month in office, Out of the Blue is the unmissable behind-the-scenes account of Britain's shortest-serving Prime Minister.Trade Review‘Completely absorbing and, in places, astonishing. It is the story of a gigantic error, well told. And important lessons can be learnt.’ Daniel Finkelstein ‘Offers a masterful, behind-the-scenes perspective on a political farce that affected us all’ 4* Telegraph ‘An admirable, thorough and solid body of research’ Times ‘Its lively style and air of authority illuminates [Truss’s] failings … with some wit, insight and a well-informed ear for the telling detail’ Observer ‘An entertainingly written black comedy that reveals much about how we are governed’ The Critic

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Book SynopsisThe New York Time bestselling expose on the politicized federal bureaucracy that actively works to promote the Democrat agenda and undermine President Trump.The liberal media loves to characterize the Obama years as free of scandal. They pretend this is true because virtually every office in the executive branch worked to withhold evidence of wrongdoing, silence witness testimony, destroy federal records, classify embarrassing information, and retaliate against truth tellers. Yet these same tight-lipped lifers leaked like a sieve once President Trump was sworn in, freely promoting the illusion that everything he does is the new Watergate.Sometimes even conservatives portray the Deep State as nothing more than dumb inefficient bureaucracy. In fact, it’s the opposite; the Deep State is intentional, unconstitutional, and organized.In Deep State, Jason Chaffetz reveals an entrenched leadership within the civil

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Book SynopsisLeaders, researchers and practitioners from the UK What Works Network share their insights on the successes, failures, and future of the What Works Centres, which have proven successful and popular across a number of policy settings.Table of ContentsForeword – David Halpern Part 1 1. The Scene Is Set – Michael Sanders and Jonathan Breckon 2. How Did We Get Here? What Works in the UK? A Personal Journey – Jonathan Breckon and Annette Boaz 3. The role of NICE in the evidence-based health system – Nick Timmins 4. What Works in Crime and Policing: Getting Closer to the Frontline – Rachel Tuffin 5. The Education Endowment Foundation: Building the Role of Evidence in the Education System – Harry Madgwick, Becky Francis and Jonathan Kay 6. Audiences First, Evidence Second – Lessons From the Early Intervention Foundation – Jo Casebourne 7. Overcoming the Youth Employment Evidence Challenge – Jane Colechin, Catherine Fitzgerald, Chris Goulden, Ryan Howsham and Anna Round 8. ‘Pulling Rather Than Pushing’: a Demand-Led Approach to Evidence Mobilisation – Steve Martin 9. The What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth: Some Lessons From the First Ten Years – Danielle Mason, Max Nathan and Henry G. Overman Part 2 10. Criticisms and Challenges of the What Works Centres – Michael Sanders and Jonathan Breckon 11. Higher Aspirations: Growing From a University Home to an Independent Body – Eliza Kozman and Omar Khan 12. Using Evidence To End Homelessness – Ligia Teixeira 13. Scaling Up: Taking ‘What Works’ to the Next Level – Jane Lewis, Eleanor Ott and Robyn Mildon 14. Measuring What Matters – Nancy Hey 15. Bringing It All Together: The Future of Evidence Synthesis – David Gough and Sandy Oliver 16. Frontiers in Equality – Ella Whelan and Michael Sanders 17. Evidence at the Grassroots – Ben Linton 18. Conclusion – Jonathan Breckon and Michael Sanders

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Book SynopsisFully updated in light of the 2012 and 2016 Scotland Acts and the Independence and Brexit referenda, this textbook gives students a rigorous introduction to the powers of the Scottish Parliament: how it makes laws, how it holds the Scottish Government to account and how its legislation and its actions can be scrutinised and challenged.

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Book Synopsis"Barbara Sinclair does an excellent job of showing how contemporary lawmaking departs from the traditional legislative process. I can′t imagine teaching a course on Congress without this text—it’s absolutely indispensable." —Philip Klinkner, Hamilton College Most major measures wind their way through the contemporary Congress in what Barbara Sinclair has dubbed "unorthodox lawmaking." In this much-anticipated Fifth Edition of Unorthodox Lawmaking, Sinclair explores the full range of special procedures and processes that make up Congress’s work, as well as the reasons these unconventional routes evolved. The author introduces students to the intricacies of Congress and provides the tools to assess the relative successes and limitations of the legislative process. This dramatically revised Fifth Edition incorporates a wealth of new cases and examples to illustrate the changes occurring in congressional process. Two entirely new case study chapters highlight Sinclair’s fresh analysis and the book is now introduced by a new foreword from noted scholar and teacher, Bruce I. Oppenheimer, reflecting on this book and Barbara Sinclair’s significant mark on the study of Congress. Trade Review"Unorthodox Lawmaking does an excellent job of synthesizing the legislative process in each chamber. I have not found another book on the market that so clearly addresses the differences like this one does." -- Sophia Wallace"Unorthodox Lawmaking is a superb foundational text, exploring well-researched variations in lawmaking in ways that are not typically found in other academic resources. It is one of the best examinations of legislative practices available the academic market. Sinclair uses robust research to uncover and analyze the complexities of lawmaking in comprehensible ways. This text is a go-to resource for information about U.S. legislative practices." -- Renée B. Van Vechten"Barbara Sinclair does an excellent job of showing how contemporary lawmaking departs from the traditional legislative process. I can′t imagine teaching a course on Congress without this text—it’s absolutely indispensable." -- Philip Klinkner"Unorthodox Lawmaking does a great job of using contemporary examples to provide an in-depth look at the complicated and highly politicized process that defines how a bill becomes a law in modern Congress." -- Michael Lynch"Unorthodox Lawmaking puts the transformation of the lawmaking process in Congress into context, documenting specific changes that have occurred and providing an argument for precisely why they took place. Sinclair illustrates the use of these new techniques in a way that keeps students interested." -- Vincent Moscardelli"Unorthodox Lawmaking is a great read, with a strong foundation about Congress as an institution. Sinclair strikes a balance between general statements and nuance, and demonstrates how complicated the policy process has become. Yet she doesn′t leave the reader without some general take-away points about how the process deviates from traditional textbook explanations." -- Maryann Gallagher"My students have enjoyed reading Unorthodox Lawmaking more than most of the other assigned texts. Sinclair’s writing makes the material approachable and helps precipitate lively discussions." -- James Wallner "The concept and content of Unorthodox Lawmaking from the very beginning is well done. Sinclair’s use of case studies to illustrate the shift from ‘traditional’ to ‘unorthodox’ processes is impressive." -- Carl Cavalli"Unorthodox Lawmaking is straightforward and to-the-point. Sinclair does an excellent job of covering the primary topics, and the examples of unorthodox lawmaking are equally as good. I have used this text myself since reading the second edition." -- Rob Mellen, Jr.Table of ContentsChapter 1: Clean Air: An Introduction to How the Legislative Process Has Changed A Note on Data Chapter 2: Multiple Paths: The Legislative Process in the House of Representatives Bill Introduction Bill Referral Postcommittee Adjustments Suspension of the Rules Special Rules On the Floor Unorthodox Lawmaking in the House Chapter 3: Routes and Obstacles: The Legislative Process in the Senate Bill Introduction Bill Referral Postcommittee Adjustments Scheduling Legislation for the Floor The Senate Floor Unorthodox Lawmaking in the Senate Chapter 4: Getting One Bill: Reconciling House-Senate Differences Traditional Nonconference Reconciliation Procedures Conference Committees The President in the Postpassage Legislative Process The Final Step Reconciling Differences: How Much Change? Chapter 5: Omnibus Legislation, the Budget Process, and Summits Omnibus Legislation Authorizations, Appropriations, and Earmarks The Budget Process Congress, the President, and Summitry What Is the Regular Process? Chapter 6: Why and How the Legislative Process Changed From Decentralization to Individualism in the Senate Reform and Its Legacy in the House Budget Reform A Hostile Political Climate as a Force for Innovation: The 1980s and Early 1990s How Internal Reform and a Hostile Climate Spawned Unorthodox Lawmaking Unorthodox Lawmaking in a Hyperpartisan Era Chapter 7: Making Nonincremental Policy Change through Hyperunorthodox Procedures: Health Care Reform in 2009-2010 The First Phase: Consultation and Drafting Building Winning Coalitions to Pass Health Care: Postcommittee and Floor Action A Long and Convoluted End Game Making Nonincremental Policy Change in a Partisan Era Chapter 8: High-Stakes Budget Politics: The 2013 Government Shutdown and the Ryan-Murray Deal Act One: The FY2014 Budget Resolutions Act Two: From Budget Resolution to the Ryan-Murray Deal Unorthodox Budget Politics Chapter 9: A Cross-Party Coalition Forces Policy Change: The USA Freedom Act House Action in the 114th Congress Senate Action in the 114th Congress Unorthodox Lawmaking and Forms of Bipartisanship Chapter 10: The Consequences of Unorthodox Lawmaking Lawmaking in the Contemporary Congress Unorthodox Lawmaking and Legislative Outcomes Other Costs and Benefits Assessing Unorthodox Lawmaking

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Book SynopsisThe first comprehensive account of the Trump administration’s efforts to destroy our government institutions, by the man Ralph Nader says “writes authoritatively and with revealing detail about important topics that few others cover” “Tom McGarity writes authoritatively and with revealing detail about important topics that few others cover.” —Ralph Nader Koch Industries spent $3.1 million in the first three months of the Trump administration, largely to ensure confirmation of Scott Pruitt as head of the EPA. By July 2018, more than sixteen federal inquiries were pending into Pruitt’s mismanagement and corruption. But Pruitt was just the first in a long line of industry-friendly, incompetent, and destructive agency heads put in place by the Trump administration in its effort to dismantle the federal government’s protective edifice. Remember Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, who, before he faced eighteen separate federal inquiries and was fired, made a deal with Halliburton to build a brewery on land that Zinke owned in Montana? Or how about Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who rescinded requirements that high-hazard trains install special braking systems, weakened standards for storing natural gas, and lengthened the hours that truck drivers could be on the road without a break, even as she failed for two years to divest her interest in a road materials manufacturer? And then there were Rick Perry, Betsy DeVos, Sonny Perdue, Andrew Puzder . . . the list goes on. In an original and compelling argument, Thomas McGarity shows how adding populists to the Republican’s traditional base of free market ideologues and establishment Republicans allowed Trump to come dangerously close to achieving his goal of demolishing the programs that Congress put in place over the course of many decades to protect consumers, workers, communities, children, and the environment. Finally, McGarity offers a blueprint for rebuilding the protective edifice and restoring the power of the American government to offer all Americans better lives.Trade ReviewPraise for Demolition Agenda:“The wealth of solid information in Demolition Agenda about what happened to national agencies regulating health, science, and the environment makes it an astonishing and weighty read. It’s the sort of book that journalists, activists, and historians may want to keep on their shelves—forever.”—Forbes “Backed by solid research and deep knowledge of regulatory law, this is a persuasive argument for the power of government to make a positive impact.”—Publishers Weekly "A behind-the-scenes look at a program of social destruction carried on with little fanfare—and to devastating effect.”—Kirkus Reviews“Powerful special interests wield outsized influence over American government, leading to disastrous consequences for the American people. McGarity shines a spotlight on those powerful interests and their willing accomplices in the Trump administration. It’s an important story told thoroughly and well.”—Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. senator for Rhode Island “Free market ideologues have worked for decades to dismantle the regulatory state, seeking to return us to the halcyon days when corporations could pollute, poison, and collude with impunity. Until the election of Donald Trump, however, they lacked the populist base they needed to move their extremist ideas into the mainstream. In this deeply researched and sometimes chilling study, Thomas McGarity lays bare the conservative playbook and details the clear and present danger posed by the ‘demolition agenda.’”—Jack Schneider, associate professor of education at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and co-author of A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door “Demolition Agenda by Tom McGarity made me so angry that I had to put the book down every few pages. But then I had to pick it up again and continue reading about Trump’s campaign to destroy the institutions that make people from all over the world strive to become Americans. A heartbreaking, sobering read.”—Morris Pearl, chair of the Patriotic Millionaires and co-author of Tax the Rich! “Tom McGarity has long been recognized as a foremost authority on administrative regulation. In Demolition Agenda, he thoroughly dissects Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle agency programs that Congress has created to protect the public. This excellent book offers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the political forces and practical strategies that have undermined the rule of law in key policy areas.”—William F. West, professor of public service and administration, Texas A&M University

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Book SynopsisAll serious politicians are supposed to possess a hinterland, but not all do. Chris Mullin was one who did. By the time he entered parliament he had reported from the wars in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and tracked down the survivors of the CIA operation in Tibet. He was the author of three novels, including the classic A Very British Coup. His successful campaign to free the innocent people convicted of the Birmingham bombings was described as 'one of the greatest feats ever achieved by an investigative reporter'. Elected to parliament, aged 39, he quickly established himself as a fearless inquisitor before going on to become a minister in three departments. His three volumes of diaries have been widely acclaimed as the best account of the Blair years and the rise and fall New Labour. He left parliament in 2010 ('better to go while people are still asking why rather than when'). These are his memoirs.Trade ReviewHinterland reveals Mullin to be as shrewd a political operator as they come, but fiercely principled and blessed with rare insight, too. Parliament, and Labour, must miss him. -- Ben East * Irish Times *Fluent, accessible, candid, likeable, literate and unpretentious... [Mullin has] decency, humanity and generosity in abundance. -- Carlo Geber * Irish Times *Hinterland is another canny, deceptively casual Mullin performance. -- Andy Beckett * Guardian *[a] subtle, wry and compassionate man with the kind of questioning intelligence that we need more in government... He is a touching and introspective writer, capable of both devotion and detachment. -- Robert Shrimsley * Financial Times *Praise for Chris Mullin's previous books: 'The sharpest and most revealing political diaries since Alan Clarke's. -- Simon Hoggart * Guardian *Chris Mullin's diaries deserve to become the central text for understanding the Blair years. * The Times *You can't keep a good politician down, especially not one who writes as well as this. * New Statesman *Every once in a while, political diaries emerge that are so irreverent and insightful that they are destined to be handed out as leaving presents in offices across Whitehall for years to come. A View from the Foothills is one such book * David Cameron *

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Book SynopsisWhen David Cameron and Nick Clegg stepped out into the rose garden at No. 10 to launch the first coalition government since the Second World War, some doubted whether the coalition could survive a full term - or even a full year. Five years later, this bold departure for British politics had weathered storms, spending cuts and military strikes, rows, referendums and riots.In this compelling insider account, David Laws lays bare the inner workings of the coalition government from its birth in 2010 to its demise in 2015. As a key figure at the heart of government, he witnessed first-hand the triumphs, the tantrums and the tactical manoeuvrings.Now, he brings this experience to bear, revealing how crucial decisions were made and uncovering the often explosive divisions between and within the coalition parties. Honest, insightful and at times shocking, Coalition shines a powerful light on perhaps the most fascinating political partnership of modern times.

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Book SynopsisFOREWORD BY PRIME MINISTER THERESA MAY When Constance Markievicz stood for election as MP for Dublin St Patrick's in 1918, few people believed she could win the seat - yet she did. A breakthrough in the bitter struggle for female enfranchisement had come earlier that year, followed by a second landmark piece of legislation allowing women to be elected to Parliament - and Markievicz duly became the first female MP. A member of Sinn Fein, she refused to take her seat. She did, however, pave the way for future generations, and only eleven months later, Nancy Astor entered the Commons. A century on from that historic event, 491 women have now passed through the hallowed doors of Parliament. Each one of these pioneers has fought tenaciously to introduce enduring reform, and in doing so has helped revolutionise Britain's political landscape, ensuring that women's contributions are not consigned to the history books. Containing profiles of every woman MP from 1918 to 1996, and with female contributors from Mary Beard to Caroline Lucas, Ruth Davidson to Yvette Cooper and Margaret Beckett to Ann Widdecombe, The Honourable Ladies is an indispensable and illuminating testament to the stories and achievements of these remarkable women.

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Book SynopsisHowto Be an MP isindispensable reading for anyone wishing to make a mark from the back benchesand influence proceedings in the House.

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Book SynopsisNot for everyone the title of Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary or other such hallowed callings; the vast majority of the House of Commons is made up of backbenchers - the power behind the constitutionally elected throne. Here is a guide for anyone and everyone fascinated by the quirks and foibles of Westminster Palace, covering all species of backbencher and providing every hardworking MP and political enthusiast with the know-how to survive life in Parliament. From how to address the crowd, weather marital troubles and socialise at party conference to the all-important Backbenchers' Commandments, How to be an MP is indispensable reading for anyone wishing to make a mark from the back bench and influence proceedings in the House. And in the process it provides the outsider with a riveting insight into life as a Member.

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Book SynopsisDrawing on examples from Rhodes's railways to the tragedy of Grenfell, The Broken Promise of Infrastructure takes readers on a journey through a cultural history of infrastructure development across Britain and its Empire.

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Book SynopsisSince 1960, two-thirds of very large governmental projects in Nigeria have not only failed, but been abandoned mid-course. This presents a bigger failure rate than mega projects elsewhere, and yet there is no available data or analysis to help us understand the reasons behind such failures. This book provides an authoritative examination into why very large projects in Nigeria have failed so badly, and provides practical recommendations on how the Nigerian government can improve its project performance.Drawing on data from 38 very large projects (19 completed and 19 abandoned) with a total budget of over $25B, this book presents detailed analysis of these projects and in-depth case studies 11 of the projects, and presents lessons for improvement. Through this, the authors have identified a small number of key success drivers, and argue that making moderate improvements on any of them would, on average, save hundreds of millions of dollars on one large project alone.This book is a game-changer in the management of government mega projects in Nigeria. With clear implications for other developing economies, this is a vital resource for project management practitioners, executives and civil servants.This is an open access book.Table of Contents1 Introduction: The Project Abandonment Problem. References. 2 What We Know About the Management of Very Large Projects. 2.1 Project Success Factors as Lists. 2.2 The Project Success Frameworks of Miller and Lessard and Morris and Hough. 2.2.1 Miller and Lessard (2000). 2.2.2 Morris and Hough (1987). 2.3 The Nigerian Context. 2.4 The Extended Theoretical Framework. 2.5 What About Corruption?. References. 3 Structure of the Investigation. 3.1 Overview of the Approach Taken in This Study. 3.2 Construction and Execution of the Survey. 3.3 Construction of the Sample of Projects. 3.4 Construction of the Case Studies. Appendix: Full Questionnaire as It Was Administered. Our Request. Project Variables. References. 4 A Description of the 38 Matched Projects. 4.1 Lagos-Ibadan Express Road. 4.2 Lagos-Badagry Express Road. 4.3 Third Mainland Bridge. 4.4 Second Niger Bridge. 4.5 Egbin Power Station. 4.6 Calabar Power Station. 4.7 Zungeru Hydropower Plant. 4.8 Delta State (Oghareki) Power Plant. 4.9 Shiroro Hydroelectric Power Station. 4.10 Omoku Power Plant Station. 4.11 Mambilla Hydroelectric Power. 4.12 Ajaokuta Steel Project. 4.13 Kanji Dam. 4.14 Otukpo Dam. 4.15 Nigeria Satellite 2. 4.16 Nigeria Satellite 1. 4.17 Airtel Nigeria. 4.18 Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL). 4.19 Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. 4.20 (Samuel) Ogbemudia Stadium. 4.21 Abuja International Airport. 4.22 Lagos MMA2 Airport. 4.23 Yenagoa International Cargo Airport. 4.24 Jigawa Airport Project. 4.25 Tin Can Island Port. 4.26 Calabar Seaport. 4.27 Victoria Garden City (VGC) Housing Estate. 4.28 Festac Town Federal Housing Estate. 4.29 1004 Housing Estate. 4.30 Abuja Mass Federal Housing Project. 4.31 Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. 4.32 Abuja National Library. 4.33 Nigerian Youth Empowerment Scheme (N-Power). 4.34 Nigeria Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). 4.35 Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). 4.36 Cleaner Lagos Initiative (Visionscape). 4.37 University College Teaching Hospital (UCH) Ibadan. 4.38 University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH). References. 5 Insights from the Analysis of the Questionnaires. 5.1 Variable Distributions and Variable Capability to Detect Differences Across Projects. 5.1.1 Each Respondent Type Adds Unique Perspectives and Information. 5.1.2 The Variables Capture Robust Differences Between Abandoned and Completed Projects. 5.2 Condensing Variables into Aggregated Success Factors. 5.2.1 Approach. 5.2.2 Identifying the Factors. 5.3 Econometric Prediction of Project Completion. 5.4 Econometric Prediction of Cost and Schedule Overruns for Completed Projects. 5.4.1 Effect of Variables on Budget Overruns. 5.4.2 Effect of Variables on Schedule Overruns. 5.5 The Corrosive Effect of Corruption. Appendix 1 Correlations Among Independent Variables Across All 114 Responses. Appendix 2 Factor Analysis. Appendix 3 Specification of the Logistical Regression. Appendix 4 The Logistical Completion Probability Regression by Respondent Group. Appendix 5 Robustness Analysis: Cost Overrun Regressions by Respondent Group. Appendix 6 Robustness Analysis: Schedule Overrun Regressions by Respondent Group. 6 Two Library Projects. 6.1 The National Library of Nigeria in Abuja: An Abandoned Project. 6.1.1 Project Initiation. 6.1.2 Contract Signature and Execution. 6.1.3 Conclusion. 6.2 Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library: A Completed Project. 6.2.1 Project Initiation. 6.2.2 Project Execution and Outcome. 6.2.3 The Difference Between the Two Projects: In the Words of Former President Obasanjo. References. 7 Two Bridge Projects. 7.1 The Second Niger Bridge: A Stalled Project. 7.1.1 Project Initiation. 7.1.2 Contract Disputes and Recontracting. 7.1.3 Continued Stalling. 7.1.4 Diagnosis of the Reasons for Failure, in the Words of (Former) President Jonathan. 7.1.5 Conclusion. 7.2 The Third Mainland Bridge: A Completed Project. 7.2.1 Introduction. 7.2.2 Starting and Stalling. 7.2.3 Restarting the Project Under President Babangida. 7.2.4 Project Execution and Outcome. 7.2.5 Conclusion. References. 8 Two Power Plants. 8.1 Egbin Power Station, Ikorodu Lagos State: A Completed Project. 8.1.1 Initiation and Completion. 8.1.2 Success Conditions and Challenges. 8.1.3 Privatization and Trouble. 8.2 The Calabar Odukpani Power Station: Completed but with Little Delivery. 8.2.1 Project Initiation. 8.2.2 Project Complications and Delays. 8.2.3 Delivery of the Calabar Power Station in 2015. 8.2.4 What Has Been Delivered? Lessons from the Project. References. 9 Two Express Road Rehabilitation Projects. 9.1 The Lagos-Ibadan Express Road Rehabilitation: A Completed Project. 9.1.1 Original Construction of the Express Road. 9.1.2 A Reconstruction Project in a PPP Scheme. 9.1.3 Restructuring the Project as a Government-Owned Project. 9.1.4 Discussion. 9.2 Lagos-Badagry Express Road Rehabilitation: A Stalled Project. 9.2.1 Brief History. 9.2.2 Was the Problem the Fault of the Contractor?. 9.2.3 Dodgy Funding and Accounting. 9.2.4 Protest, Additional Funding and Patching Up. 9.2.5 Conclusion. References. 10 Two More Power Plants. 10.1 The Zungeru Dam/Hydropower Plant: A (Soon-to-Be) Completed Project. 10.1.1 Brief History. 10.1.2 Enabling Factors of Completion. 10.2 The Delta State Oghareki Power Plant: An Abandoned Project. 10.2.1 Initiation. 10.2.2 The Alleged Corruption. 10.2.3 Implications. References. 11 The Ajaokuta Steel Project. 11.1 Project Initiation. 11.2 Project Construction and Cessation by 1988. 11.3 The PPP Revival of 2000–2007. 11.4 The State of the Asset. 11.5 Conclusion. References. 12 Insights and Recommendations. 12.1 Summary and Discussion of the Findings. 12.2 Developing Solutions: Inspiration from Other Countries. 12.3 Recommendations. 12.3.1 Recommendations Part 1: Short-Term Changes. 12.3.2 Recommendations Part 2: Longer-Term Structural Changes. 13 Conclusion: The Government Responsibility.

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Book SynopsisChapter 1: Introduction: The growing federal debt burden reflects a broken system.- Chapter 2: Bad budgeting is catching up with us.- Chapter 3: Coming back from the brink.- Chapter 4: The rise of the balanced budget amendment.- Chapter 5: Flawed BBAs cannot deliver.- Chapter 6: Constitutions are primarily collections of principles.- Chapter 7: Next-generation BBAs emerge.- Chapter 8: A well-crafted BBA stands up to criticism.- Chapter 9: Implementing Legislation for a Principles-Based BBA.- Chapter 10: Budget balance requires a functioning federal budget process.- Chapter 11: Taking federal budgeting to the next level.- Appendix: Balanced budget amendment proposals.- Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book offers the first comprehensive analysis of Canadian foreign policy under the government of Justin Trudeau, with a concentration on the areas of climate change, trade, Indigenous rights, arms sales, refugees, military affairs, and relationships with the United States and China. At the book’s core is Trudeau’s biggest and most unexpected challenge: the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States. Drawing on recognized experts from across Canada, this latest edition of the respected Canada Among Nations series will be essential reading for students of international relations and Canadian foreign policy and for a wider readership interested in Canada’s age of Trudeau.See other books in the Canada Among Nations series here: https://carleton.ca/npsia/canada-among-nations/Table of Contents1. The age of Trudeau and Trump Norman Hillmer and Philippe Lagassé2. The promise and perils of Justin Trudeau’s foreign policyRoland Paris 3. Promises made, promises kept? A mid-term Trudeau foreign policy report cardKim Richard Nossal 4. What’s not to like? Justin Trudeau, the global disorder, and liberal illusionsJerome Klassen and Yves Engler 5. Canada-US relations under President Trump: Stop reading the tweets and look to the futureStephen Blank and Monica Gattinger 6. Canada’s international environmental policy: Trudeau’s trifecta of challengesDebora Van Nijnatten7. International trade: The rhetoric and reality of the Trudeau government’s progressive trade agendaMeredith B. Lilly8. Justin Trudeau’s China challengesPhilip Calvert9. A promise too far? The Justin Trudeau government and Indigenous rights Sheryl Lightfoot10. Canada’s feminist foreign policy promises: An ambitious agenda for gender equality, human rights, peace, and securityRebecca Tiessen and Emma Swan11. “We will honour our good name”: The Trudeau government, arms exports, and human rightsJennifer Pedersen 12. The Trudeau government, refugee policy, and echoes of the pastJulie F. Gilmour 13. Justin Trudeau’s quest for a United Nations Security Council seatAndrea Charron14. Manning up: Justin Trudeau and the politics of the Canadian defence communityAndrea Lane 15. Trudeau the reluctant warrior? Canada and international military operationsJeffrey Rice and Stéfanie von Hlatky

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Book Synopsis''That politics was the most exciting of all the exciting things in the world I never doubted''Shirley Williams was born to politics. As well as being influenced by her mother, Vera Brittan, her father George Catlin, a leading political scientist, encouraged his daughter to have high ambitions for herself - including daring to climb the bookshelves in his library. Elected as MP for Hitchin in 1964, she was a member of the Wilson and Callaghan governments and was also the Secretary of State for Education. As one of the ''Gang of Four'' Shirley Williams famously broke away from the Labour Party to found the SDP in 1981 and later supported its merger with the Liberal Party to form the Liberal Democrats. This is her story.Praise for Climbing the Bookshelves''Very few politicians are loved, but Shirley Williams was one'' Independent''She speaks human, which is a surprisingly rare political talent'' Guardian''Decent,

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Book SynopsisIn 1932 Sigmund Freud and diplomat William Bullitt completed a well-informed psychobiography of Woodrow Wilson, inspired by his irrational handling of the Treaty of Versailles. Released decades later in redacted form, the book was panned by critics and immediately forgotten. Patrick Weil resurrects the original version and reassesses its insights.Trade ReviewThe American Psychoanalytic Association has said that it ‘does not consider political commentary by its individual members an ethical matter.’ Nor should it. The father of psychoanalysis himself, in an oft-ignored divagation, co-wrote an entire volume about our twenty-eighth president, whom he detested from afar. Patrick Weil…[has] ferreted out the original, unredacted manuscript. This is the hottest gossip about Freud or Wilson in decades. Long-dead celebs seldom spill the tea. -- Dan Piepenbring * Harper's *A vivid shaggy-dog story about a curio that illuminates the possibilities (and perils) of studying the psychological soundness of presidents—a discipline as relevant as ever. -- Franklin Foer * The Atlantic *The extraordinary untold story of how a disillusioned American diplomat named William C. Bullitt came to Freud’s couch in 1926, and how Freud and his patient collaborated on a psychobiography of President Woodrow Wilson. -- Dominic Green * Wall Street Journal *The Madman in the White House ostensibly is about the book Bullitt and Freud wrote about Wilson, but it is mostly a biography of Bullitt, and a good one at that…What comes through clearly is the mostly impeccable judgment Bullitt exhibited in his public life, judgment that political leaders should have listened to and followed—and had they done so, the world would have been less dangerous and perhaps millions of lives could have been spared misery and death. -- Francis P. Sempa * American Spectator *A captivating analysis of the history of the Wilson psychobiography that doubles as a biography of Bullitt. Along the way it vividly documents the shifts in American engagement with Europe from the first world war through the cold war from the standpoint of high-level diplomacy…Both as a work of scholarship and as a sweeping, almost novelistic tour of twentieth-century political affairs, it deserves a wide readership. -- Nick Haslam * Inside Story *[Weil’s] depiction of Bullitt is remarkable and compelling. -- Carl Rollyson * New York Sun *‘Dictators are easy to read,’ Weil writes. ‘Democratic leaders are more difficult to decipher. However, they can be just as unbalanced as dictators and can play a truly destructive role in our history.’ This is well put, but I think Weil’s portrait of Bullitt demonstrates something broader and more hopeful: that politics—even realpolitik—is best understood as an affair of the heart. -- Simon Ings * The Spectator *Thought-provoking…Freud was fascinated by Wilson’s behavior as a world leader and embarked on a rigorous scrutiny of his psychological makeup—the exploration that Weil resumes. -- Paul Starobin * American Affairs *The Madman in the White House has it all: political intrigue, momentous historical events, a charismatic central character who mixed with Churchill, Stalin, Hemingway and Picasso, a cameo by Sigmund Freud, an astonishing discovery in the archives and a champagne-drinking bear…The book excels as history, character study and intellectual thriller. Weil’s assertion that ‘democratic leaders can be just as unbalanced as dictators’ is more apt now than ever. -- Nick Haslam * The Conversation *Excellent…Nearly a century since Wilson’s death, Weil’s monograph is the first to offer a comprehensive historical account of Bullitt’s career-long engagement with Wilson. -- Martin Halliwell * American Literary History *An intriguing book that might be described as a biography of a biography. Deeply researched and scholarly, it tracks Thomas Woodrow Wilson: A Psychological Study from ideation to publication, analysing its contents and chronicling the lives of its authors and their subject…Its portrait of Bullitt is thorough and its treatment of Freudian theory rigorous. -- Theo Zenou * History Today *What is clear from Weil’s book is that history is not just a result of impersonal forces acting upon human decisions. The personalities and views of political leaders matter. -- Francis P. Sempa * New York Journal of Books *[A] thought-provoking study of a psychological profile of the president…Weil draws an intriguing profile of Bullitt and others involved in the negotiations. It’s a convincing case that ‘personality is very often at the heart of policy.’ * Publishers Weekly *This is the wildly implausible and entirely true story of how Sigmund Freud, joined with a US diplomat, wrote a whole book about the ills of the psyche of Woodrow Wilson. For the first time, Weil brings the content of the original Freud manuscript to light, as well as giving a rich study of the role of personal psychology in the shaping of the new global order after World War I. So long as so much political power is concentrated in one human mind, we are all at the mercy of the next madman in the White House. -- Gary J. Bass, author of The Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a Forgotten GenocideA remarkable and valuable contribution which merits applause. There is unlikely to be another account to rival it. Weil has explored with great thoroughness—and detachment—the story of the enigma surrounding Woodrow Wilson and the fascinating events of 1919 which continue to remain such. -- Antony Lentin, Wolfson College, University of CambridgePatrick Weil has given us a vivid group portrait of Sigmund Freud, William Bullitt, and Woodrow Wilson—actors in and witnesses to the great drama of the Treaty of Versailles. Based on newly unearthed archival evidence that sheds light on how Freud and Bullitt wrote a biography of the twenty-eighth president of the United States, this is an urgent reappraisal of critical events of twentieth-century history. -- Élisabeth Roudinesco, author of Freud: In His Time and OursA generation ago diplomats could be real shapers of foreign policy, and not just the president’s messengers. William C. Bullitt was among the most influential of them. He served in the American delegation at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, and he represented the United States as ambassador in Moscow and in Paris as World War II approached. He was close to both Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Along the way he met Sigmund Freud and collaborated with Freud in a controversial analysis of Wilson’s character. Patrick Weil uses Bullitt’s career to probe the significance of personality in American presidential decision-making. This unusual book enriches and completes a story that we may have thought we knew well. -- Robert O. Paxton, author of The Anatomy of Fascism

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Book SynopsisA vital text for understanding the twenty-first-century battlefield and the shifting force structure, this book prepares students to think critically about the rapidly changing world they'll inherit. American Defense Policy, first published in 1965 under the leadership of Brent Scowcroft, has been a mainstay in courses on political science, international relations, military affairs, and American national security for more than 50 years. This updated and thoroughly revised ninth edition, which contains about 30% all-new content, considers questions of continuity and change in America's defense policy in the face of a global climate beset by geopolitical tensions, rapid technological change, and terrorist violence. The book is organized into three parts. Part I examines the theories and strategies that shape America's approach to security policy. Part II dives inside the defense policy process, exploring the evolution of contemporary civil-military relations, the changing character oTable of ContentsForewordPrefaceIntroductionAcknowledgmentsPart I. Values and Interests for American Defense PolicyIntroductionChapter 1. Theories and ValuesChapter 2. American Grand StrategyChapter 3. The International Environment - AlliesChapter 4. The International Environment - AdversariesPart II. Evolution and Revolution in Defense Policy, Process, and InstitutionsIntroductionChapter 5. Evolution and Revolution in Civil-Military RelationsChapter 6. The Changing Profession of ArmsChapter 7. Resource Allocation and Force Structure for a Complex WorldPart III. Contemporary Issues in American Defense PolicyIntroductionChapter 8. Homeland Defense: Threats from All SidesChapter 9. Unconventional Wars and Unconventional ForcesChapter 10. The Near PossibleEpilogueAfterwordAbout the ContributorsIndex

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Book SynopsisThe definitive biography of a distinguished public servant, who as US Secretary of Labor, Secretary of the Treasury, and Secretary of State, was pivotal in steering the great powers toward the end of the Cold War. Deftly solving critical but intractable national and global problems was the leitmotif of George Pratt Shultz's life. No one at the highest levels of the United States government did it better or with greater consequence in the last half of the 20th century, often against withering resistance. His quiet, effective leadership altered the arc of history. While political, social, and cultural dynamics have changed profoundly since Shultz served at the commanding heights of American power in the 1970s and 1980s, his legacy and the lessons of his career have even greater meaning now that the Shultz brand of conservatism has been almost erased in the modern Republican Party. This book, from longtime New York Times Washington reporter Philip Taubman, restores the modest Shultz to his central place in American history. Taubman reveals Shultz's gift for forging relationships with people and then harnessing the rapport to address national and international challenges, under his motto "trust is the coin of the realm"—as well as his difficulty standing up for his principles, motivated by a powerful sense of loyalty that often trapped him in inaction. Based on exclusive access to Shultz's personal papers, housed in a sealed archive at the Hoover Institution, In the Nation's Service offers a remarkable insider account of the behind-the-scenes struggles of the statesman who played a pivotal role in unwinding the Cold War.Trade Review"This is a masterpiece. Philip Taubman, one of the great reporters and editors from The New York Times, has dug forever and found the real, authentic George Shultz, one of the true peacemakers of the 20th century. Essentially positive but not avoiding some well-documented criticisms, this biography reminds me of David McCullough's classic biographies of Presidents John Adams and Harry Truman—defining and sure-footed in every paragraph."—Bob Woodward, #1 bestselling author of Peril and Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate"The nuanced diplomacy of George Shultz at the end of the Cold War was a major reason that 45-year conflict ended with a whimper rather than the nuclear bang we had all feared. In his biography about Shultz, Philip Taubman masterfully explains the many keys to Shultz's success, including his giant intellect and understated ability to build personal relationships with his interlocutors in the Soviet Union. In the Nation's Service is a must read for those interested in the life and times of one of our nation's foremost secretaries of state."—James A. Baker, III, 61st U.S. Secretary of State"Philip Taubman has written an outstanding book about the extraordinary life and public service of Secretary Shultz. As Taubman describes in these pages, Shultz possessed the rare ability to build consensus among people with diverse and sometimes deeply opposing views, exhibiting an agile diplomacy that allowed him to aid in the peaceful end of the Cold War. Taubman's account deftly captures the character of this American icon, the halls of power in which he served the nation, and the consequential one hundred years in which he lived."—Condoleezza Rice, 66th US Secretary of State, Tad and Dianne Taube Director, Hoover Institution"Taubman makes a persuasive case that Shultz was one of the most distinguished American officials of the last half century."—H.W. Brands, author of The Last Campaign: Sherman, Geronimo and the War for America and Reagan: The Life"Philip Taubman's new biography of Shultz, In the Nation's Service, offers a more complicated assessment of the well-known government official and of the modern history of the GOP. Shultz's saga of triumph and turmoil offers a reminder that the brutal moral conditions Republican administrations impose on those who work in them were not just confined to Trump, but have been manifest all along."—Washington Monthly"Philip Taubman's In the Nation's Service: The Life and Times of George P. Shultz adds a surprising new dimension to the Reagan saga. Through the eyes of Shultz, the secretary of state, Taubman portrays the Reagan administration as swamped and nearly paralyzed by disorganization and infighting. Cabinet members and White House aides were constantly at each other's throats. This will come as no surprise to students of the Reagan presidency, but Taubman, a longtime reporter and editor at the New York Times, introduces a new and highly credible source. [Taubman's research] provides valuable new insight into the Reagan years, and he gives Shultz credit for holding things together."—David E. Hoffman, The Washington Post"Taubman's book is remarkable in many ways. [I]t gives Shultz the credit he deserves in guiding Reagan's foreign policy, especially in ending the Soviet empire, that had been reserved for just Reagan, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, President George H.W. Bush, and his top diplomat James Baker."—Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner"The humanity and human touch of Shultz and his biographer emerge on nearly every page."—Walter Clemens, New York Journal of Books"Taubman has written an outstanding biography of George Shultz, both comprehensive and consistently engaging. Taubman's biography excels at conveying Shultz's human characteristics—trustworthiness, solidity, fortitude, plain-spoken directness, quick intelligence, ambition—which brought him to the summit of the American political system and made him such an invaluable player in it."—Gabriel Schoenfeld, The American Purpose"Mr. Taubman has given us a distinctly American story: A young man from a middle-income family in New Jersey, refined by education at Princeton and early service in uniform, comes to help guide U.S. foreign affairs through a perilous world moment. Shultz's spirit of service and loyalty is regrettably no longer dominant in American diplomacy or bureaucracy."—Kate Bachelder Odell, Wall Street Journal"As capably captured by Philip Taubman in his official biography of the 60th secretary of state, In the Nation's Service, Shultz had a front-row view of both the Reagan administration and the end of the Cold War. Indeed, he was an active player in it, instrumental in directing Reagan's more cooperative approach to the Soviet Union and helped along by a willing partner in Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev."—Samuel Sweeney, Foreign Policy"Taubman's excellent biography deserves great praise for highlighting the enormous debt of gratitude the country owes to George Shultz, not only for his herculean efforts to bring an end to the Cold War but also his many other achievements 'In the Nation's Service.'"—Ambassador Gary Grappo, The Cipher BriefTable of Contents01. "Grow Up a Real Man" 02. No Empty Threats 03. The Real Economy 04. Pathway to Power 05. Equal Opportunity 06. Treasury Travails 07. Odd Man Out 08. A Common Foundation 09. Stumbling Start 10. Soviet Policy Standoff 11. Nancy Reagan to the Rescue 12. Shultz's Opponents Strike Back 13. A Test of Loyalty 14. Hitting Bottom 15. The Target Is Destroyed 16. Combating Terrorism 17. Reelection and Renewed Hope 18. Sea Change in the Kremlin 19. The Fireside Summit 20. Battles That Never End 21. Implosion of a Presidency 22. Back on Track 23. Encore in Moscow 24. Epilogue

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A Foreign Affairs Best of Books""Bartels, a leading analyst of electoral democracy and public opinion in the United States, turns here to a central question in European politics: Do right-wing populist parties pose a threat to democracy, moderate politics, and multilateral cooperation? His point in this important book is simple yet powerful."---Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs"Eye-opening."---Jan-Werner Mueller, Project Syndicate

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Book SynopsisThe Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Harry S. Truman, whose presidency included momentous events from the atomic bombing of Japan to the outbreak of the Cold War and the Korean War, told by America’s beloved and distinguished historian.The life of Harry S. Truman is one of the greatest of American stories, filled with vivid characters—Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bess Wallace Truman, George Marshall, Joe McCarthy, and Dean Acheson—and dramatic events. In this riveting biography, acclaimed historian David McCullough not only captures the man—a more complex, informed, and determined man than ever before imagined—but also the turbulent times in which he rose, boldly, to meet unprecedented challenges. The last president to serve as a living link between the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries, Truman’s story spans the raw world of the Missouri frontier, World War I, the powerful Pendergast machine of Kansas City, the legendary Whistle-Stop Campaign of 1948, and the decisions to drop the atomic bomb, confront Stalin at Potsdam, send troops to Korea, and fire General MacArthur. Drawing on newly discovered archival material and extensive interviews with Truman’s own family, friends, and Washington colleagues, McCullough tells the deeply moving story of the seemingly ordinary “man from Missouri” who was perhaps the most courageous president in our history.Trade Review"Meticulously detailed, elegantly written, tightly constructed, rich in revealing anecdotes and penetrating insights. It is, as its subject demands, biography on the grand scale." -- Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post"A warm, affectionate and thoroughly captivating biography....the most thorough account of Truman's life yet to appear. " -- Alan Brinkley, The New York Times Book Review"McCullough's marvelous feel for history is based on an appreciation of colorful tales and an insight into personalities. In this compelling saga of America's greatest common-man president, McCullough adds luster to an old-fashioned historical approach...the sweeping narrative, filled with telling details and an appreciation of the role individuals play in, shaping the world." -- Walter Isaacson, Time"Remarkable....you may open it at any point and instantly become fascinated, so easy, lucid, and energetic is the narrative and so absorbing the sequence of events." -- The Economist"McCullough is a master storyteller whose considerable narrative skills have been put to exquisite use in re-creating the life and times of America's 33rd president." -- Robert Dallek, Los Angeles Times Book ReviewTable of ContentsCONTENTSPart One -- SON OF THE MIDDLE BORDER1. Blue River Country2. Model Boy3. The Way of the Farmer4. SoldierPart Two -- POLITICIAN5. Try, Try Again6. The Senator from Pendergast7. Patriot8. Numbered DaysPart Three -- TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY9. The Moon, the Stars, and All the Planets10. Summer of DecisionPart Four -- MR. PRESIDENT11. The Buck Stops Here12. Turning Point13. The Heat in the Kitchen14. Fighting ChancePart Five -- WEIGHT OF THE WORLD15. Iron Man16. Commander in Chief17. Final DaysPart Six -- BACK HOME18. Citizen TrumanACKNOWLEDGMENTSSOURCE NOTESBIBLIOGRAPHYINDEX

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Book SynopsisReveals how the U.S. Supreme Court's presidentialism threatens our democracy and what to do about it. Donald Trump's presidency made many Americans wonder whether our system of checks and balances would prove robust enough to withstand an onslaught from a despotic chief executive. In The Specter of Dictatorship, David Driesen analyzes the chief executive's role in the democratic decline of Hungary, Poland, and Turkey and argues that an insufficiently constrained presidency is one of the most important systemic threats to democracy. Driesen urges the U.S. to learn from the mistakes of these failing democracies. Their experiences suggest, Driesen shows, that the Court must eschew its reliance on and expansion of the "unitary executive theory" recently endorsed by the Court and apply a less deferential approach to presidential authority, invoked to protect national security and combat emergencies, than it has in recent years. Ultimately, Driesen argues that concern about loss of democracy should play a major role in the Court's jurisprudence, because loss of democracy can prove irreversible. As autocracy spreads throughout the world, maintaining our democracy has become an urgent matter.Trade Review"David Driesen has written an eloquent and powerful account of the Framers' concern about 'tyranny' and their profound commitment to democracy. His careful historical scholarship and deft analysis of doctrine demonstrate clearly the ways that growing presidential power has imperiled this principle. An urgent and compelling read not just for today's crises, but for understanding the basic dynamics of American democracy and its antagonists." -- Aziz Z. Huq * University of Chicago Law School *"A book for our troubled times. Blending history, law, and politics, David Driesen situates the Trump presidency in the alarming global trend toward autocracy and diagnoses what currently ails democracy in America. Richly detailed, highly informative, and deeply contextual, this book is required reading to understand the forces threatening the liberal democratic values of modern constitutionalism." -- Richard Albert * The University of Texas at Austin *"Constitutional drafters often establish semi-autonomous executive institutions to serve as guardrails of democracy. Over the past several decades, conservative lawyers and judges in the U.S. have systematically targeted such bureaucratic independence as inconsistent with the constitutional theory of a 'unitary executive.' Driesen masterfully lays bare the previously underappreciated role played by unitary executive theory in ongoing processes of democratic erosion." -- Thomas M. Keck * Syracuse University *Table of ContentsContents and AbstractsIntroduction: chapter abstractThis chapter explains that this book will analyze excessive presidential power's potential to undermine democracy by exploring democratic decline primarily in Hungary, Turkey, and Poland. It outlines the book's major lesson: the head of state plays a key role in establishing autocracy by establishing unimpeded control over the executive branch in keeping with the American unitary executive theory, often accelerated through use of emergency powers. It outlines the book's argument that the U.S. Supreme Court has augmented executive power in dangerous ways and describes its principal recommendations for taking the potential for autocracy into account in adjudicating separation-of-powers cases. It summarizes each chapter's contribution to this argument. 1Avoiding Tyranny at the Founding chapter abstractThis chapter establishes that the Founders of this nation shared a goal of avoiding a future drive to autocracy and suggests that this intention should guide the Supreme Court's treatment of presidential power. It explains the controversy over whether the Founders embraced the unitary executive theory and shows that they did not expressly grant emergency powers to the President in the Constitution. It introduces the concept of original intent and explains that it increasingly influences judges and constitutional scholarship, making this chapter's treatment of the creation of the Constitution important to establishing room to take lessons from democracy loss abroad into account in adjudication of separation of powers disputes. 2The Rise of Presidential Power chapter abstractThis chapter provides an account of the rise of presidential power from the Founding through the late twentieth century. It explores the historical roots of the fear that presidential control over the executive branch of government and the growth of presidential emergency powers would undermine democracy and the rule of law. It canvasses the controversies (judicial and political) over presidential removal of federal officials from office (which the unitary executive theory insists must be free from restriction), from Andrew Jackson's effort to circumvent legislation creating the National Bank to Richard Nixon's attempt to thwart investigation of crimes undertaken to tilt the electoral playing field. It explains how congressional delegation of authority has enhanced the President's power over time. It also shows that the Supreme Court imposed constraints on emergency powers throughout this period, recognizing this presidential power as dangerous to democracy. 3Declining to Adjudicate Claims Against the President chapter abstractThis chapter explains that the courts have augmented presidential power by frequently refusing to adjudicate claims that the President has exceeded his constitutional authority. It explains the key justiciability doctrines that the courts have used to shield Presidents from allegations of misconduct—standing, ripeness, and the political question doctrine. It establishes that the courts have applied these doctrines quite strictly, and sometimes grossly distorted them, to shield allegations of presidential usurpation of power from judicial scrutiny. At the same time, it has been quite liberal in entertaining challenges to congressional efforts to check and balance the executive branch. It shows that the courts' refusal to entertain challenges to unilateral presidential wars has aided the transfer of the war power from Congress to the President. 4Implied Presidential and Congressional Power chapter abstractThis chapter explains that the modern Supreme Court has generously granted the President extensive implied powers at the expense of Congress, while declining to apply the implied-powers doctrine to sustain efforts by Congress to check the executive branch. It shows that the Court's implied-powers jurisprudence has not only expanded the President's foreign affairs power, but also eroded checks and balances domestically. It emphasizes the role of the unitary executive theory and the legislative veto in undermining checks on emergency powers and undermining of the rule of law. This chapter fills a gap in the literature by defining the concept of implied power. It shows that propresidential bias in the Court's treatment of constitutional custom, means/ends reasoning, and congressional intent helps explain the asymmetric results of the Court's implied-power jurisprudence. 5The Specter of Dictatorship: Poland, Hungary and Turkey chapter abstractThis chapter, the heart of the book, examines the role of executive power in undermining democracy in Poland, Hungary, and Turkey. In all three cases, creation of centralized control over the executive branch of government paved the way for autocracy, leading to politicized use of prosecution to undermine political opponents, shrinking of the media available to dissenters, and tilting the electoral playing field. This analysis focuses primarily on centralization of control over prosecution, media authorities, and electoral commissions. In Hungary and Turkey, abuse of emergency powers accelerated the establishment of autocracy. These countries' autocrats eroded democracy with the support of a political party enjoying the support of at least a substantial minority of voters. Party members in Parliament helped destroy democracy by voting in lockstep fashion to support "reforms" undermining independent agencies and prosecutorial independence. 6Parallels to America's Democratic Erosion chapter abstractThis chapter examines the extent to which America's democratic erosion mirrors that of Hungary, Turkey, and Poland. It explains that acceptance of the unitary executive theory has significantly undermined the rule of law, just as centralization of power has in the case studies. It analyzes the extent to which we have emulated the autocracies in tilting the electoral playing field and undermining independent media. It explains that partisan division has led to a breakdown of deliberative democracy very similar to that seen Chapter 5's case studies. It also analyzes our vulnerability to judicial capture and abuse of the war power. It argues that judges lack the capacity to predict the extent of democratic decline, given its complexity and the role of unpredictable shocks in stimulating autocracy, but that we have serious long-term vulnerabilities. 7Judicial Treatment of Presidential Power in an Age of Democratic Decline chapter abstractThis chapter discusses the factors that should influence the courts' separation-of-powers cases. Generally, it counsels judges to give more weight to the possibility of democratic decline than to potential policy mistakes, and to allow for the possibility of presidential bad faith. It shows that national security means protecting the American People's control over the government, not just preventing of physical attacks. It suggests rejecting or limiting the reach of the unitary executive theory, bolstering presidential legal accountability, and relying less on justiciability doctrines to shield presidential actions from judicial review. It also analyzes the role of judicial decision making in protecting and restoring democracy, showing that judicial decisions can aid political forces seeking to preserve or revive an ailing democracy. Conclusion: chapter abstractThis chapter briefly recapitulates the book's lessons. It affirms that the judiciary can and should contribute to democracy protection by considering the possibility of presidential bad faith in making decisions, since the presidency, not the judiciary, constitutes the principal threat to democracy. It calls for the judiciary to reject or at least limit the unitary executive theory, to think of national security in terms of preserving popular sovereignty, and to relax justiciability barriers to adjudicating challenges to excessive presidential power. It argues that the tendency to think of autocracy as a product of a coup, instead of as the product of gradual democratic decline, can blind us to the possibility of autocracy in America, but that signs of serious democratic decline abound. It suggests that judges need to take the possibility of losing a democracy as seriously as the founders of this country did.

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Book SynopsisFor Kennedy devotees, as well as readers unfamiliar with the lion of the Senate, this book presents the compelling story of Edward Kennedy''s unexpected rise to become one of the most consequential legislators in American history and a passionate defender of progressive values, achieving legislative compromises across the partisan divide.What distinguishes Edward Kennedy: An Oral History is the nuanced detail that emerges from the senator''s never-before published, complete descriptions of his life and work, placed alongside the observations of his friends, family, and associates. The senator''s twenty released interviews reveal, in his own voice, the stories of Kennedy triumph and tragedy--from the Oval Office to the waters of Chappaquiddick. Spanning the presidencies of JFK to Barack Obama, Edward Kennedy was an iconic player in American political life, the youngest sibling of America''s most powerful dynasty; he candidly addresses this role: his legislative accomplishments and failures, his unsuccessful run for the White House, his impact on the Supreme Court, his observations on Washington gridlock, and his personal faults.The interviews and introductions to them create an unsurpassed and illuminating volume. Gathered as part of the massive Edward Kennedy Oral History Project, conducted by the University of Virginia''s Miller Center, the senator''s interviews allow readers to see how oral history can evolve over a three-year period, drawing out additional details as the interviewee becomes increasingly comfortable with the process and the interviewer. Yet, given the Kennedys'' well-known penchant for image creation, what the senator doesn''t say or how he says what he chooses to include, is often more revealing than a simple declarative statement.Table of ContentsPreface Editorial Note Chapter 1: Growing up Kennedy: Lessons from a Political Dynasty Chapter 2: The Making of a President: Campaigning for JFK and a Brother in the White House Chapter 3: Joining the Family Business: Teddy Goes to the Senate Chapter 4: Striving for Equality: Civil Rights-The Work Begins Chapter 5: Striving for Equality: Civil Rights-The Cause Continues Chapter 6: Transforming from Hawk to Dove: The Vietnam Dilemma Chapter 7: Trying to Restore Camelot: Bobby's 1968 Presidential Campaign and Its Aftermath Chapter 8: Challenging a President: The Quest for the 1980 Nomination Chapter 9: Shaping the Supreme Court: Judicial Appointment Battles Chapter 10: Holding on to a Senate Seat: The 1994 Campaign Struggle Chapter 11: Pursuing Peace: Kennedy's Irish-Catholic Roots and Northern Ireland Chapter 12: Creating a Melting Pot: Immigration Chapter 13: Escaping a Quagmire: The Iraq War Chapter 14: Fighting for Universal Health Care: The Dream of a Lifetime Chapter 15: Coming Home to Port: Summaries of a Historic Life Epilogue: Observations on Oral History Appendix: List of Edward M. Kennedy Oral History Project Interviews Index

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Book SynopsisA fresh perspective on an ancient institution; Exploring Parliament offers an engaging and real-life insight into the inner workings, impact, and relevance of twenty-first century Parliament. Short academic and practitioner chapters are combined with highly relevant and practical case studies, to provide a new and accessible introduction to Parliament''s structures, people, and practices. As well as covering the broader structure of UK Parliament, this text explains the role of small parties in law making, the design and space of Parliament, and offers illuminating case studies on highly topical areas such as the Backbench Business Committee, the Hillsborough Inquiry and recent pieces of legislation such as the Assisted Dying Bill.This text is complemented by the following online resources for students and lecturers:- Video tours of Parliament- Podcasts to explain and explore the work of Parliament- Web links to help students to explore Parliament even furtherTable of ContentsPART I: THE ORGANISATION OF PARLIAMENT; PART II: LAW MAKING; PART III: SCRUTINY AND ACCOUNTABILITY; PART IV: REPRESENTATION; PART V: CHALLENGES AND REFORM

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