Constitution: government and the state Books
Fairleigh Dickinson University Press Kenya's Independence Constitution:
Book SynopsisKenya's Independence Constitution: Constitution-Making and End of Empire is a narrative of the evolution of the constitution that was put into effect as Kenya's history as a colonial possession came to an end. It details the attempts of the colony's political elite and the British Colonial Office to find a constitutional means to move Kenya to the status of independent state. As this process moved forward, political ethnicity assumed central significance. This produced an environment in which demands for a federal constitution, popularly termed majimbo, came to dominate constitutional discourse. Deep disagreement among Kenya's political elite over this issue marked the remainder of the colonial period. That elite, now represented by the Kenya African National Union (KANU) and the Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU), advocated different constitutional paths to independence. KADU's demands for a majimbo constitution dominated discourse during 1962 and early 1963, but deep disagreement characterized the constitutional negotiations. This resulted in a constitution for self-government (introduced on June 1, 1963) that was regional in character but fell short of a federal system. Almost as soon as it came into existence, this constitution faced pressure for substantial change from KANU, the party that won the 1963 general election. As a result, the British government was forced to make alterations in what became the independence constitution. The latter proved a prelude to the destruction of majimbo a year later. Kenya's Independence Constitution provides the first in-depth description of the final stage of colonial Kenya's constitutional evolution. This book not only provides a detailed account of the process of constitution-making, including definitive treatments of the final two constitutional conferences of 1962 and 1963. Utilizing British and Kenya cabinet papers and secret intelligence reports never featured in earlier accounts, the narrative also destroys many of the mytTrade ReviewRobert Maxon, a highly respected historian of Kenya, provides a detailed account of the complicated negotiation processes which led to the finalization of Kenya’s independence constitution. He has provided what is undoubtedly a magisterial and highly authoritative account of Kenya’s tumultuous independence process which will provide the major point of reference on the subject for many years ahead. * Journal of Contemporary African Studies *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Chapter 3 Chapter One: Background to Constitution-Making and Decolonization Chapter 4 Chapter Two: Pressures for a New Constitution: Kenya, 1960–1961 Chapter 5 Chapter Three: Majimbo Takes Center Stage Chapter 6 Chapter Four: The Battle forMajimbo: Lancaster House II Chapter 7 Chapter Five: Making the Constitution, April–December 1962 Chapter 8 Chapter Six: Completing the Constitution, December 1962–April 1963 Chapter 9 Chapter Seven: The 1963 Election and Setting a Date for Independence Chapter 10 Chapter Eight: Change the Constitution Part 1: April–September 1963 Chapter 11 Chapter Nine: Change the Constitution Part 2: Lancaster House III and Kenya's Independence Constitution, September–December 1963 Chapter 12 Chapter Ten: Constitution-Making:Uhuru na Majimbo Chapter 13 Notes Chapter 14 Bibliography Chapter 15 Index
£97.00
Experiment The Shortest History of India: From the World's
Book Synopsis
£11.06
Dundee University Press Ltd Scotland's Future: The Economics of
Book Synopsis
£80.75
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd State in Myanmar
Book Synopsis"The State in Myanmar" is a totally revised and expanded and updated version of "The State in Burma" (1987), with additional chapters covering the last twenty years of Myanmar's political history. It attempts to explain the country's current politics in the light of the historical evolution of state-society relations in Myanmar since the pre-colonial kings, through the colonial era to the current, and third, post-colonial regime in this strategically important and little studied South East Asian nation. The book explains the dramatic and unpredicted collapse of the previous socialist regime and the attempts by new and old political forces to wrest control of the state from a revitalised and increasingly confident military government. Myanmar's state builders have applied varying ideas in their attempts to fashion a stable political order in an often fractious and far from unified nation and "The State in Myanmar" places those experiences in comparative perspective.Trade Review'a well researched, masterly presentation of political, economic and social developments in Burma. ... will no doubt become a standard reference work.' - The Round TableTable of ContentsContents Introduction The Precolonial State The Rationalisation of the State, 1825-1942 Politics under the Rationalised State, 1886-1942 Reasserting the State, 1962-87 The State Redux (1985-2007)
£27.00
Edinburgh University Press Open Scotland?: Journalists, Spin Doctors and
Book SynopsisScottish devolution brought high hopes for an open political culture. But how far have these been fulfilled? Open Scotland? argues that in the field of political communication the old, established ways of the British state still remain firmly in place. Westminster and Whitehall still cast long shadows over Edinburgh. This book offers the first full-scale coverage of how media, politicians and lobbyists interact in the new Scotland. Based on their exceptional first-hand access to the key players, Philip Schlesinger, David Miller and William Dinan have written an inside account of the struggles to establish the rules of the game for covering politics. They have talked to the journalists of Scotland's political media pack who are at the heart of the new political system and who have a decisive impact on the image of the Scottish Parliament and government. They have observed and interviewed the professional lobbyists and reveal their strategies for achieving a respectable image in Scottish public life. And they have analysed some of the key rows and the failures of news management inside Scotland's government. Open Scotland? offers an insight to the world of lobbyists, journalists and spin doctors, revealing the motivations behind the news stories in Scottish politics today.Trade ReviewA brilliant new study -- Peter Preston Not only does this case study shed needed light on the importance of institutional structures to the quality of public communications, but its detailed and multifaceted analysis of the inner workings of an actual public sphere sets this book apart as a notable contribution to the growing literature on public communications systems. This fascinating and well-researched study explores just how far the opportunity for making a new politics and encouraging a different political culture has been recognised ... Its judgements are made on the basis of a far more comprehensive body of evidence than most accounts of similar topics... this study deserves attention from anyone concerned about the present conditions of mediated democracy and the real limitations on getting very far beyond them. A brilliant new study Not only does this case study shed needed light on the importance of institutional structures to the quality of public communications, but its detailed and multifaceted analysis of the inner workings of an actual public sphere sets this book apart as a notable contribution to the growing literature on public communications systems. This fascinating and well-researched study explores just how far the opportunity for making a new politics and encouraging a different political culture has been recognised ... Its judgements are made on the basis of a far more comprehensive body of evidence than most accounts of similar topics... this study deserves attention from anyone concerned about the present conditions of mediated democracy and the real limitations on getting very far beyond them.Table of ContentsPreface; 1. Introduction; Part I- Journalists; 2. The BBC and devolution; 3. The press prepares for Holyrood; 4. Writing the rules of the game; 5. The 'new' political journalism; Part II - Spin Doctors; 6. Scottish Office information management:; From the Tories to New Labour; 7. Preparing to devolve in the Scottish Office; 8. 'It's a doddle' - the voter education campaign; 9. Scotland in a spin; Part III - Lobbyists; 10. Preparing for Holyrood; 11. Jockeying for position; 12. Lobbygate; 13. The lie of the land:; regulating lobbying in Scotland; 14. Open Scotland?.
£28.49
Edinburgh University Press New Scotland, New Society?: Are Social and
Book SynopsisNew Scotland, New Society asks a series of vital questions regarding the attitudes and behaviour of the Scots. Are the ties that bind people to each other and to the democratic system fragmenting? Do people no longer trust each other? How do people relate to each other in terms of social trust? How do they relate to social institutions such as the family and systems of morality? Is constitutional reform restoring that trust? Drawing on the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey and its predecessors, the overall aim of the book is to provide an independent account of public opinion in post-devolution Scotland. Chapters will cover a range of contemporary debates. Attitudes to key issues such as co-habitation, teenage pregnancy, religion, sexuality, abortion, and racial prejudice will be explored. The capacity of Scotland's new political institutions to restore trust will be questioned, and the links between the trust which people have in each other and the trust they have in their institutions will be tested.These attitudes will be set in context over time and also in comparison with the rest of the UK, to see how attitudes have developed, and whether Scottish attitudes are distinctive. Much of the public debate in Scotland in recent years has been about constitutional and political change. This book moves beyond these issues to look at their social basis. It asks whether popular attitudes might actually be even more fundamental than the undoubtedly important constitutional upheaval that Scotland has recently experienced.Trade ReviewFascinating insights into Scottish attitudes ! It will be particularly of interest to academics and politicians, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students in sociology and territorial politics. Fascinating insights into Scottish attitudes ! It will be particularly of interest to academics and politicians, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students in sociology and territorial politics.
£28.49
Sparkling Books Ltd Reinventing Democracy
Book SynopsisThe oldest democracy is now an obsolete model long overdue for replacement.90% of electors want political reform. But how to escape the mess? Britain should adopt a federal structure with a written constitution and an elected apolitical People's Council replacing autocratic and ineffective bodies. Growing concern about the relative economic deterioration of the United Kingdom led to realisation that the system of political governance is probably an unrecognised cause of British decline. Events over the last few years have provided a fertile supply of examples. All that was needed was some original thought, but nobody seemed to be facing facts. At the centre of these ideas lie four major concepts:1. The People's Council to replace the Privy Council, House of Lords, and some scrutiny functions of the present House of Commons2. A federal structure, with sovereignty defined as sovereignty of the people of each nation instead of the Crown in parliament. 3. Representation in United Kin
£22.50
Luath Press Ltd A Modest Proposal: For the agreement of the
Book Synopsis‘The history of parliament in the UK has a consistent theme: the refusal to accept any binding contract with the people. This unacceptable status quo goes for Holyrood as much as for Westminster. The time has come for people to challenge the power of the ruling class.We want to see the Scottish Parliament become an institution that it has so far failed to be: an institution committed to the sovereignty of the people. We want the people of Scotland to lead the rest of the UK by example, and ensure that the actions of a government are bound by shared political and ethical values.And we propose the first step: a modest proposal, for the agreement of the people.Are you with us?’ANGUS REID and MARY DAVIS
£9.49
Luath Press Ltd A Constitution for the Common Good: Strengthening
Book SynopsisProviding a recent history of the Scottish Government’s Constitutional Policy since 2011, Bulmer asks what exactly is the ‘common good’ and what type of constitution would serve it, while also addressing questions of poverty, wealth, inequality and democracy. In this revised edition Bulmer proposes an intermediate position between devolution and independence following the No vote in September 2014.Trade ReviewAcademically insightful… Bulmer’s book is a rare example of a treatise on constitutional politics aimed at the general reader. THE SCOTSMAN on A Constitution for the Common Good Dr W Elliot Bulmer is one of the country’s leading experts on constitutional matters. SUNDAY HERALDTable of ContentsContents Acknowledgements 6 Preface to the Second Edition 9 Introduction 13 Chapter One Does the Constitution still matter? 21 i Independence, Democracy and the Constitution 23 ii Independence, Sovereignty and Folkric 27 iii The Constitutional Debate before the Independence Referendum 29 iv Constitutionalism without Independence? 36a A Federal United Kingdom 39 b A New Treaty of Union 45 c Home Rule 47 Chapter Two How can Constitutions promote the common good? 52 i The Common Good as the Purpose of the State 53 ii What is the Common Good? 58 iii Common Good, Pluralism and Pre-commitment 61 iv Political Liberty as a Common Good 65 Chapter Three How prescriptive should the Constitution be? 67 i The Case for Procedural Constitutionalism 67 ii The Limits of Prescriptive Constitutionalism 80 iii The Relationship between Procedural and Prescriptive Elements 84 Chapter Four How could the Constitution strengthen democracy? 93 i Direct Democracy 95 ii Representation and Inclusiveness 104 iii Second Chamber: Senate or Tribunate? 117 iv Local Democracy 124 v Democratising Parties 127 Chapter Five How can the Constitution promote good governance and accountability? 131 i Parliamentary Scrutiny and Fourth Branch Institutions 131 ii Recall and Popular Dissolution 139 iii Prime Ministerial Term Limits 143 iv Guarding the Guardians: Supervision of the Military and Security Services 146 Chapter Six How can the Constitution reflect our values and identities? 152 i The Preamble and Para-Consitutional Covenants 152 ii Religion and State 159 iii Monarchy and National Identity 170 Chapter Seven How can the Constitution help us to achieve social justice, tackle poverty and reduce inequality? 177 i Social and Economic Rights 177ii Judicial or Political Enforcement 181iii Beyond Rights: Empowering the People 184 Chapter Eight How can the Constitution promote public ethics? 187 i The need for Good Citizenship 188 ii Education for Citizenship 191 iii Principles of Public Life and Codes of Conduct 194 iv Public Honours 199 Chapter Nine How can we build a new constitutional settlement? 201 i Does process matter? 201 ii Stages of the process 208 iii Possible next steps 213 Appendices 219 Appendix A A Constitution for an Independent Scotland 221 Appendix B ‘A New Treaty of Union’ 270Appendix C A Home Rule and Full Fiscal Autonomy Settlement for Scotland 277 Appendix D A Constitution for a Federal United Kingdom 284 Endnotes 325
£12.59
Luath Press Ltd The Scottish Parliament in its Own Words: An Oral
Book SynopsisThe Scottish Parliament Oral History Project has compiled a series of interviews with staff, MSPs and journalists regarding their careers and experiences at the Scottish Parliament. These interviews captured a rich array of material, shining new light on the Parliament’s history. This book compiles extracts from these interviews, shining new light on the Parliament’s history, telling the story of Parliament through those who have helped shape it over the last 20 years.Table of ContentsForewords 7 Chronology 13 Introduction 15 PART 1 A New Scottish Song 1997–2003 31 PART 2 New Beginnings 2003–2011 79 PART 3 The End of Consensus 2011–2018 111 PART 4 Gàidhlig anns a’ Phàrlamaid / Gaelic in the Parliament 149 PART 5 The Scottish Parliament at 20 157 Glossary of Terms 161 Contributor Biographies 175
£9.49
Luath Press Ltd The Scottish Parliament in its Own Words: An Oral
Book SynopsisThe Scottish Parliament Oral History Project has compiled a series of interviews with staff, MSPs and journalists regarding their careers and experiences at the Scottish Parliament. These interviews captured a rich array of material, shining new light on the Parliament’s history. This book compiles extracts from these interviews, shining new light on the Parliament’s history, telling the story of Parliament through those who have helped shape it over the last 20 years.Table of ContentsForewords 7 Chronology 13 Introduction 15 PART 1 A New Scottish Song 1997–2003 31 PART 2 New Beginnings 2003–2011 79 PART 3 The End of Consensus 2011–2018 111 PART 4 Gàidhlig anns a’ Phàrlamaid / Gaelic in the Parliament 149 PART 5 The Scottish Parliament at 20 157 Glossary of Terms 161 Contributor Biographies 175
£21.25
Haus Publishing Unwritten Rule: How to Fix the British
Book SynopsisNot since Ireland broke away from the United Kingdom a century ago has the British state been so fragile. Northern Ireland now operates under trading rules that are legally separate from the rest of the nation. In Wales, support for independence is running at a historical high. Above all, Scotland is more conscious than ever of its individual identity and has aspirations for a European future. With public trust and confidence in government at record lows, the UK faces a crisis that can only be repaired by a new constitutional settlement. Unwritten Rule calls for a radical realignment, embracing a federal approach that would accommodate devolution as the best way of bringing about a successful and diverse national life, increasing democratic control over local and national decision-making, and modernising our national political structures. It will be an arduous journey, but wide-ranging reform is vital if we are to ensure that the United Kingdom not only survives into the coming decades but thrives.Trade Review"Brexit has put in question much of the traditional fabric of the constitution. Unwritten Rule is a brave attempt to show how it can be remoulded. While few will agree with all of the proposed remedies, Unwritten Rule will undoubtedly re-invigorate the debate. It is written with clarity and verve by experienced practitioners in government." -- Vernon Bogdanor, Professor of Government, King's College, London"A timely, compelling and extremely important contribution to the most pressing political debate of the next decade. Can we reinvent the United Kingdom for the next century as it has so often been reinvented in the past? The authors suggest a series of positive steps, including constitutional reform and significant devolution in England, in the hope that the nations and regions of the United Kingdom can find enough common ground to prevent a painful dissolution of the Union." -- Gavin Esler, author of How Britain Ends: English Nationalism and the Rebirth of Four Nations
£7.59
Amalion Publishing Migrations, mobilités et réseaux religieux au
Book Synopsis
£23.70
Mohr Siebeck GmbH & Co. K Southern Lessons for Constitutional Law
£51.00
Duncker & Humblot Mehrheitsprinzip Und Minderheitsregierung -
Book Synopsis
£67.43
Duncker & Humblot GmbH Das goldene Zeitalter der tschechischen Selbstverwaltung 18481918
£79.92
Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co KG Die unentschiedene Macht: Verfassungsgeschichte der Europaischen Union, 1948-2007
Book SynopsisThe book traces the political struggles of politicians and ministry officials, judges and academics for a European Union from the Hague European Congress in 1948 to the Lisbon Treaty in 2007. Frank Schorkopf reconstructs the project of a European political order as a juxtaposition and coexistence of three currents of thought, the constitutionalists, governmentalists and pragmatists, in which constitutional authority is undecided. In the sixteen chapters it becomes clear that the people involved wanted to create something new, but could hardly break away from their constitutional-historical imprints and were always confronted with classic questions of a power architecture: about legitimacy and acceptance, about the protection of fundamental rights and identity.
£32.29
The University of Chicago Press The President in the Legislative Arena American
Book SynopsisIn recent years, the executive branch's ability to maneuver legislation through Congress has become the measure of presidential success or failure. Although the victor of legislative battles is often readily discernible, debate is growing over how such victories are achieved. In The President in the Legislative Arena, Jon R. Bond and Richard Fleisher depart dramatically from the concern with presidential influence that has dominated research on presidential-congressional relations for the past thirty years. Of the many possible factors involved in presidential success, those beyond presidential control have long been deemed unworthy of study. Bond and Fleisher disagree. Turning to democratic theory, they insist that it is vitally important to understand the conditions under which the executive brance prevails, regardless of the source of that success. Accordingly, they provide a thorough and unprecedented analysis of presidential success on congressional roll-call votes from 1953 throu
£30.00
The University of Chicago Press The Limits of Liberty
Book Synopsis
£28.00
The University of Chicago Press Agenda Setting Policies and Political Systems
Book SynopsisBefore making significant policy decisions, political actors and parties must first craft an agenda designed to place certain issues at the center of political attention. This book features essays that make clear the efficacy of the agenda-setting approach for understanding not only how policies evolve, but also how political systems function.Trade Review"Green-Pedersen and Walgrave have admirably assembled a group of contributors who, individually and collectively, bring the tools of policy agenda analysis to bear on the central political features of each of the countries examined. Along the way, the findings demolish prevailing expectations about national politics in thought-provoking ways. Clear and remarkable for its depth of analysis, this is one of the best collections of essays I have ever read." (David Lowery, Pennsylvania State University)"
£24.00
The University of Chicago Press Nietzsches New Seas Explorations in Philosophy
Book SynopsisOffers a guide to fundamental principles of American government as they were understood by framers of the Constitution. This book demonstrates clarity of The Federalist's argument, reveals its political (not merely economic) view of human nature, and describes how and why American regime combines liberal and republican values.Trade Review"Everyone who wishes to understand the thinking behind the American Constitution should read this intelligent and provocative book." - Journal of American Studies "While it is a model of scholarly care and clarity, this study deserves an audience outside the academy.... David F. Epstein's book is a fine demonstration of just how much a close reading can accomplish, free of any flights of theory or fancy references." - New Republic "Epstein's strength lies in two aspects of his own approach. One is that he reads the text with uncommon closeness and sensitivity; the other is an extensive knowledge of the European political thought which itself forms an indispensable background to the minds of the authors." - Times Literary Supplement"
£23.00
The University of Chicago Press Electing Judges The Surprising Effects of
Book SynopsisResponds to the growing chorus of critics who fear that the politics of running for office undermine judicial independence. The author presents a comprehensive study of the impact of campaigns on public perceptions of fairness, impartiality, and the legitimacy of elected state courts - and his findings are both counterintuitive and controversial.Trade Review"James L. Gibson is an intellectual giant in the field of judicial politics, and Electing Judges may be his most important contribution to date. This is a first-rate piece of scholarship that speaks directly to the central arguments in a highly contentious ongoing debate. For all interested in the judicial selection process, Gibson's evidence is powerful and simply cannot be ignored." (Chris W. Bonneau, University of Pittsburgh)"
£28.00
The University of Chicago Press Untrodden Ground How Presidents Interpret the
Book Synopsis
£31.00
The University of Chicago Press Strategic Party Government Why Winning Trumps
Book SynopsisWhy is Congress mired in partisan polarization? The conventional answer is that members of Congress and their constituencies fundamentally disagree with one other along ideological lines. But Gregory Koger and Matthew J. Lebo uncover a more compelling reason that today's political leaders devote so much time to conveying their party's positions, even at the expense of basic government functions: Both parties want to win elections. In Strategic Party Government, Koger and Lebo argue that Congress is now primarily a forum for partisan competition. In order to avoid losing, legislators unite behind strong party leaders, even when they do not fully agree with the policies their party is advocating. They do so in the belief that party leaders and voters will reward them for winning or at least trying to win these legislative contests. And as the parties present increasingly united fronts, partisan competition intensifies and pressure continues to mount for a strong party-building strategy d
£26.00
The University of Chicago Press Turf Wars How Congressional Committees Claim
Book SynopsisFor most bills in American legislature, the issue of turf - or which committee has jurisdiction over a bill - is crucial. This study explains how jurisdictional areas for committees are created and changed in Congress, and dissects the politics of turf-grabbing.
£27.00
The University of Chicago Press The Prince
Book SynopsisInitially denounced as a collection of sinister maxims and a recommendation of tyranny, this text has more recently been defended as the first scientific treatment of politics, challenging the traditions of ancient and medieval thought and morality.Table of ContentsIntroduction A Note on the Translation Chronology Map The Prince Dedicatory Letter I: How Many Are the Kinds of Principalities and in What Modes They Are Acquired II: Of Hereditary Principalities III: Of Mixed Principalities IV: Why the Kingdom of Darius Which Alexander Seized Did Not Rebel from His Successors after Alexander's Death V: How Cities or Principalities Which Lived by Their Own Laws before They Were Occupied Should Be Administered VI: Of New Principalities That Are Acquired through One's Own Arms and Virtue VII: Of New Principalities That Are Acquired by Others' Arms and Fortune VIII: Of Those Who Have Attained a Principality through Crimes IX: Of the Civil Principality X: In What Mode the Forces of All Principalities Should Be Measured XI: Of Ecclesiastical Principalities XII: How Many Kinds of Military There Are and Concerning Mercenary Soldiers XIII: Of Auxiliary, Mixed, and One's Own Soldiers XIV: What a Prince Should Do Regarding the Military XV: Of Those Things for Which Men and Especially Princes Are Praised or Blamed XVI: Of Liberality and Parsimony XVII: Of Cruelty and Mercy, and Whether It Is Better to Be Loved Than Feared, or the Contrary XVIII: In What Mode Faith Should Be Kept by Princes XIX: Of Avoiding Contempt and Hatred XX: Whether Fortresses and Many Other Things Which Are Made and Done by Princes Every Day Are Useful or Useless XXI: What a Prince Should Do to Be Held in Esteem XXII: Of Those Whom Princes Have as Secretaries XXIII: In What Mode Flatterers Are to Be Avoided XXIV: Why the Princes of Italy Have Lost Their States XXV: How Much Fortune Can Do in Human Affairs, and in What Mode It May Be Opposed XXVI: Exhortation to Seize Italy and to Free Her from the Barbarians App: Machiavelli's Letter of December 10, 1513 Glossary Bibliography Index of Proper Names
£28.00
The University of Chicago Press Fundamentalisms and the State Remaking Polities
Book SynopsisThis text focuses on fundamentalist movements on five continents and within six religions. It considers the effect that antisecular religious movements have had since 1970 on national economies, political parties, constitutional issues, and international relations.
£42.75
The University of Chicago Press We Have Not a Government
Book SynopsisTrade Review"With careful attention and rich research, this book examines in depth each of the ways that the Confederation failed."--David O. Stewart "Washington Independent Review of Books " "[Van Cleve] describes in great detail the varied and complicated issues faced by the impotent, insolvent Congress. . . .This detailed and well-researched history and analysis will appeal to scholars and serious popular history buffs."--Library Journal "We Have Not a Government provides a focused explanation of the reasons the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first federal constitution, went lurching toward collapse. . . .Van Cleve patiently examines the specific matters of public policy that vexed national politics in the mid-1780s. He draws sharp conclusions and generally takes decided stands on matters that historians still actively dispute. . . .What Van Cleve does demonstrate, persuasively, is that the genuine crisis of the Confederation required creating a "staggeringly powerful" national government through a "grand bargain" that went well beyond what any state might have asked for itself."--Jack Rakove, Pulitzer Prize winner "Washington Post "
£19.00
The University of Chicago Press Platos Statesman
Book Synopsis
£23.00
The University of Chicago Press A Community Built on Words The Constitution in
Book SynopsisH. Jefferson Powell offers a powerful new approach to one of the central issues in American constitutional thinking today: the many ways in which constitutional arguments and outcomes are shaped both by historical circumstances and by political goals - including those of judges.Trade Review"The Constitution is not an apolitical text; rather, from its beginning it has been more like a contested battlefield over which rival interpretations struggled. Such is the legal-philosophical point of Powell's powerful work.... A beautifully written text, and as an historical narrative it may well convince its readers, and convince them more powerfully, than a mere theoretical argument." - Virginia Quarterly Review"
£30.40
The University of Chicago Press Congress Overwhelmed
Book SynopsisCongress today is falling short. Fewer bills, worse oversight, and more dysfunction. But why? In a new volume of essays, the contributors investigate an underappreciated reason Congress is struggling: it doesn't have the internal capacity to do what our constitutional system requires of it. Leading scholars chronicle the institutional decline of Congress and the decades-long neglect of its own internal investments in the knowledge and expertise necessary to perform as a first-rate legislature. Today's legislators and congressional committees have fewer--and less expert and experienced--staff than the executive branch or K Street. This leaves them at the mercy of lobbyists and the administrative bureaucracy. The essays in Congress Overwhelmed assess Congress's declining capacity and explore ways to upgrade it. Some provide broad historical scope. Others evaluate the current decay and investigate how Congress manages despite the obstacles. Collectively, they undertake the most comprehTrade Review“Congress Overwhelmed brings together a strong set of congressional scholars addressing some of the most important issues facing the institution today. It will appeal not just to other scholars but also to observers of Congress, such as members of the media, staffers, and anyone working in and around Capitol Hill. The book offers an honest assessment of existing congressional limitations and how Congress can become more productive and functional." -- Josh Ryan, Utah State University“Congress Overwhelmed brings together the leading experts on Congress to address a critical issue facing American democracy: what can be done to ensure that Congress fulfills its role as a coequal branch in our political system? The volume provides a clear and compelling account of the many challenges facing today’s Congress and offers valuable lessons for reformers seeking to improve the legislative branch’s capacity.” -- Eric Schikler, University of California, Berkeley"The United States Congress is a dysfunctional institution. Congress falls short on just about every measure of its myriad responsibilities. But how is Congress broken and why? Moreover, what can be done about it? These are the critical questions that Congress Overwhelmed seeks to address." * Congress & the Presidency *Table of Contents1 Overwhelmed: An Introduction to Congress’s Capacity Problem Timothy M. LaPira, Lee Drutman, and Kevin R. Kosar Part 1 The Foundations of Congressional Capacity 2 Capacity for What? Legislative Capacity Regimes in Congress and the Possibilities for Reform Lee Drutman and Timothy M. LaPira 3 The Decline in Congressional Capacity Molly E. Reynolds 4 How Congress Fell Behind the Executive Branch Philip A. Wallach Part 2 Knowledge and Expertise in Congress 5 The Congressional Capacity Survey: Who Staff Are, How They Got There, What They Do, and Where They May Go Alexander C. Furnas, Lee Drutman, Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, Timothy M. LaPira, and Kevin R. Kosar 6 What Do Congressional Staff Actually Know? Kristina C. Miler 7 How Committee Staffers Clear the Runway for Legislative Action in Congress Casey Burgat and Charles Hunt 8 Legislative Branch Support Agencies: What They Are, What They Do, and Their Uneasy Position in Our System of Government Kevin R. Kosar Part 3 The Politics of Capacity in the Legislative Process 9 Still Muddling Along? Assessing the Hybrid Congressional Appropriations Process Peter Hanson 10 Congress and the Capacity to Act: Overcoming Gridlock in the Senate’s Amendment Process James Wallner 11 The Issue Dynamics of Congressional Capacity Jonathan Lewallen, Sean M. Theriault, and Bryan D. Jones 12 Congressional Capacity and Reauthorizations E. Scott Adler, Stefani R. Langehennig, and Ryan W. Bell 13 How Experienced Legislative Staff Contribute to Effective Lawmaking Jesse M. Crosson, Geoffrey M. Lorenz, Craig Volden, and Alan E. Wiseman 14 Capacity in a Centralized Congress James M. Curry and Frances E. Lee 15 Congressional Capacity and Bipartisanship in Congress Laurel Harbridge-Yong Part 4 Capacity and the Politics of Reform 16 Lessons from the History of Reform Ruth Bloch Rubin 17 Dodging Dead Cats: What Would It Take to Get Congress to Expand Capacity? Anthony Madonna and Ian Ostrander Acknowledgments Notes References List of Contributors Index Online appendixes are available at https://dataverse.harvard.edu/dataverse/congressionalcapacity/.
£87.40
The University of Chicago Press Congress Overwhelmed The Decline in Congressional
Book SynopsisCongress today is falling short. Fewer bills, worse oversight, and more dysfunction. But why? In a new volume of essays, the contributors investigate an underappreciated reason Congress is struggling: it doesn't have the internal capacity to do what our constitutional system requires of it. Leading scholars chronicle the institutional decline of Congress and the decades-long neglect of its own internal investments in the knowledge and expertise necessary to perform as a first-rate legislature. Today's legislators and congressional committees have fewer--and less expert and experienced--staff than the executive branch or K Street. This leaves them at the mercy of lobbyists and the administrative bureaucracy. The essays in Congress Overwhelmed assess Congress's declining capacity and explore ways to upgrade it. Some provide broad historical scope. Others evaluate the current decay and investigate how Congress manages despite the obstacles. Collectively, they undertake the most comprehTrade Review“Congress Overwhelmed brings together a strong set of congressional scholars addressing some of the most important issues facing the institution today. It will appeal not just to other scholars but also to observers of Congress, such as members of the media, staffers, and anyone working in and around Capitol Hill. The book offers an honest assessment of existing congressional limitations and how Congress can become more productive and functional." -- Josh Ryan, Utah State University“Congress Overwhelmed brings together the leading experts on Congress to address a critical issue facing American democracy: what can be done to ensure that Congress fulfills its role as a coequal branch in our political system? The volume provides a clear and compelling account of the many challenges facing today’s Congress and offers valuable lessons for reformers seeking to improve the legislative branch’s capacity.” -- Eric Schikler, University of California, Berkeley"The United States Congress is a dysfunctional institution. Congress falls short on just about every measure of its myriad responsibilities. But how is Congress broken and why? Moreover, what can be done about it? These are the critical questions that Congress Overwhelmed seeks to address." * Congress & the Presidency *Table of Contents1 Overwhelmed: An Introduction to Congress’s Capacity Problem Timothy M. LaPira, Lee Drutman, and Kevin R. Kosar Part 1 The Foundations of Congressional Capacity 2 Capacity for What? Legislative Capacity Regimes in Congress and the Possibilities for Reform Lee Drutman and Timothy M. LaPira 3 The Decline in Congressional Capacity Molly E. Reynolds 4 How Congress Fell Behind the Executive Branch Philip A. Wallach Part 2 Knowledge and Expertise in Congress 5 The Congressional Capacity Survey: Who Staff Are, How They Got There, What They Do, and Where They May Go Alexander C. Furnas, Lee Drutman, Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, Timothy M. LaPira, and Kevin R. Kosar 6 What Do Congressional Staff Actually Know? Kristina C. Miler 7 How Committee Staffers Clear the Runway for Legislative Action in Congress Casey Burgat and Charles Hunt 8 Legislative Branch Support Agencies: What They Are, What They Do, and Their Uneasy Position in Our System of Government Kevin R. Kosar Part 3 The Politics of Capacity in the Legislative Process 9 Still Muddling Along? Assessing the Hybrid Congressional Appropriations Process Peter Hanson 10 Congress and the Capacity to Act: Overcoming Gridlock in the Senate’s Amendment Process James Wallner 11 The Issue Dynamics of Congressional Capacity Jonathan Lewallen, Sean M. Theriault, and Bryan D. Jones 12 Congressional Capacity and Reauthorizations E. Scott Adler, Stefani R. Langehennig, and Ryan W. Bell 13 How Experienced Legislative Staff Contribute to Effective Lawmaking Jesse M. Crosson, Geoffrey M. Lorenz, Craig Volden, and Alan E. Wiseman 14 Capacity in a Centralized Congress James M. Curry and Frances E. Lee 15 Congressional Capacity and Bipartisanship in Congress Laurel Harbridge-Yong Part 4 Capacity and the Politics of Reform 16 Lessons from the History of Reform Ruth Bloch Rubin 17 Dodging Dead Cats: What Would It Take to Get Congress to Expand Capacity? Anthony Madonna and Ian Ostrander Acknowledgments Notes References List of Contributors Index Online appendixes are available at https://dataverse.harvard.edu/dataverse/congressionalcapacity/.
£31.00
The University of Chicago Press Presidents Populism and the Crisis of Democracy
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Howell and Moe write with clarity and verve. . . . And it is hard to object to their overarching goals of institutionally reforming our dysfunctional politics and improving the quality of our governance." * Wall Street Journal *"In Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy, William Howell and Terry Moe make important contributions to understanding political movements and institutions. The authors challenge scholars and practitioners to rethink the rise of President Trump and the role of the president in our ineffective system of government. . . . William Howell and Terry Moe provide a convincing and well-supported path to reform that emboldens the president and returns the Office of the President to a national institution of honor and integrity." * Congress & the Presidency *“This book highlights an important (and underappreciated) cause of the populism that threatens American democracy: ineffective government, or a political system that consistently fails to respond to our most important problems. Hard as it may be for Americans to accept, our constitutional system has grown dysfunctional. Howell and Moe propose clear constitutional solutions that break sharply with the conventional wisdom. We should take their ideas seriously. I recommend this book to anyone concerned about the fate of American democracy." -- Steven Levitsky, Harvard University, coauthor of How Democracies Die"Howell and Moe show that Trump’s aggressive demagoguery is a perverse symptom of an American problem of administrative weakness and explain how the presidency can be made more effective, powerful, and accountable at the same time. An original, insightful, and provocative picture of American politics in a populist era." -- Jeffrey K. Tulis, author of Legacies of Losing in American Politics"In this clarion call for institutional reform, Howell and Moe argue that populism is not the product of rampant polarization, political tribalism, or undemocratic features of our political system. Rather, the culprit is ineffective government. And the best antidote to populism, paradoxically, is the instrument that catapulted it to power: a reimagined presidency, one that is stronger in important respects, but weaker in others. The arguments are powerful, provocative, and sure to fuel debate over efforts to restore American democracy." -- Douglas L. Kriner, coauthor of The Myth of the Imperial Presidency"Howell and Moe make a compelling case about the relationship between ineffective government and populism, namely, that a lack of capable government gives rise to populist leaders who promise to fix the system. The authors propose a bold solution to the problem and—whether or not one agrees with all specifics—force the weight of the argument onto the question of what should be done rather than whether anything should be attempted. A must read for students and scholars interested in contemporary American politics as well as the rise of populism worldwide." -- Brandice Canes-Wrone, Princeton University"A timely, powerfully argued book about the dangers American democracy faces from populism—and how these dangers can be overcome by making government more potent and effective. The book is concise, accessible, and crisply written. It is sure to spark important debate." -- Eric M. Patashnik, author of Unhealthy Politics: The Battle over Evidence-Based Medicine“Blunt, lucid, and smart.” * Soonish Podcast *Table of ContentsIntroduction1 The Drivers of Populist Politics2 The Rise and Reign of an American Populist3 The Persistence of Ineffective Government4 A Presidency for Modern TimesAcknowledgments Notes Index
£78.85
The University of Chicago Press Cages of Reason The Rise of the Rational State in
Book SynopsisTable of ContentsPreface Introduction Pt. 1: Bureaucratic Structure as a Contingent Problem 1: Organization Theory and Bureaucratic Structure 2: Political Uncertainty, Leadership Succession, and the Modes of Administration 3: The Strategies of Uncertainty Pt. 2: Strategies of High Uncertainty France 4: Revolutionary Change and Structural Ambiguity: The Revolutionary and Napoleonic Transformations 5: The Post-Napoleonic Period Japan 6: The Meiji Restoration as the Revolutionary Moment 7: The Resolution of Revolutionary Uncertainty and the Imperial State Pt. 3: Strategies of Low Uncertainty The United States 8: Political Parties, Patronage, and Administration 9: Political Leadership, Party Contestation, and Reform: 1865-1925 Great Britain 10: Parliament, the Crown, and the Problem of Patronage 11: Patronage, Representation, and Administrative Reform 12: "The Efficient Secret": Administrative Rationalization and the Executive Conclusion Bibliography Index
£38.00
The University of Chicago Press The State as a Work of Art
Book SynopsisThe founding of the United States after the American Revolution was so deliberate, so inspired, and so monumental in scope that the key actors considered this new government to be a work of art framed from natural rights. The author explores these ideas and gives an account of the origins and meanings of the Constitution of the United States.Trade Review"Richly imaginative." (New Republic)"
£76.00
University of Chicago Press The State as a Work of Art The Cultural Origins
Book SynopsisThe founding of the United States after the American Revolution was so deliberate, so inspired, and so monumental in scope that the key actors considered this new government to be a work of art framed from natural rights. The author explores these ideas and gives an account of the origins and meanings of the Constitution of the United States.Trade Review"Richly imaginative." (New Republic)"
£30.00
The University of Chicago Press Presidents Populism and the Crisis of Democracy
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Howell and Moe write with clarity and verve. . . . And it is hard to object to their overarching goals of institutionally reforming our dysfunctional politics and improving the quality of our governance." * Wall Street Journal *"In Presidents, Populism, and the Crisis of Democracy, William Howell and Terry Moe make important contributions to understanding political movements and institutions. The authors challenge scholars and practitioners to rethink the rise of President Trump and the role of the president in our ineffective system of government. . . . William Howell and Terry Moe provide a convincing and well-supported path to reform that emboldens the president and returns the Office of the President to a national institution of honor and integrity." * Congress & the Presidency *“This book highlights an important (and underappreciated) cause of the populism that threatens American democracy: ineffective government, or a political system that consistently fails to respond to our most important problems. Hard as it may be for Americans to accept, our constitutional system has grown dysfunctional. Howell and Moe propose clear constitutional solutions that break sharply with the conventional wisdom. We should take their ideas seriously. I recommend this book to anyone concerned about the fate of American democracy." -- Steven Levitsky, Harvard University, coauthor of How Democracies Die"Howell and Moe show that Trump’s aggressive demagoguery is a perverse symptom of an American problem of administrative weakness and explain how the presidency can be made more effective, powerful, and accountable at the same time. An original, insightful, and provocative picture of American politics in a populist era." -- Jeffrey K. Tulis, author of Legacies of Losing in American Politics"In this clarion call for institutional reform, Howell and Moe argue that populism is not the product of rampant polarization, political tribalism, or undemocratic features of our political system. Rather, the culprit is ineffective government. And the best antidote to populism, paradoxically, is the instrument that catapulted it to power: a reimagined presidency, one that is stronger in important respects, but weaker in others. The arguments are powerful, provocative, and sure to fuel debate over efforts to restore American democracy." -- Douglas L. Kriner, coauthor of The Myth of the Imperial Presidency"Howell and Moe make a compelling case about the relationship between ineffective government and populism, namely, that a lack of capable government gives rise to populist leaders who promise to fix the system. The authors propose a bold solution to the problem and—whether or not one agrees with all specifics—force the weight of the argument onto the question of what should be done rather than whether anything should be attempted. A must read for students and scholars interested in contemporary American politics as well as the rise of populism worldwide." -- Brandice Canes-Wrone, Princeton University"A timely, powerfully argued book about the dangers American democracy faces from populism—and how these dangers can be overcome by making government more potent and effective. The book is concise, accessible, and crisply written. It is sure to spark important debate." -- Eric M. Patashnik, author of Unhealthy Politics: The Battle over Evidence-Based Medicine“Blunt, lucid, and smart.” * Soonish Podcast *Table of ContentsIntroduction1 The Drivers of Populist Politics2 The Rise and Reign of an American Populist3 The Persistence of Ineffective Government4 A Presidency for Modern TimesAcknowledgments Notes Index
£15.00
The University of Chicago Press The Judicial Power of the Purse How Courts Fund
Book SynopsisCongress and the president are not the only branches that deal with fiscal issues in times of war. This book focuses on the role of federal courts in fiscal matters during warfare and high-cost national defense emergencies. It sheds light on environmental factors in judicial decision making.Trade Review"A significant advance on conventional wisdom about judicial behavior during wartime emergencies. With admirable clarity, Nancy Staudt provides evidence that the judiciary is an active partner in crisis governance - finding ways to put pools of cash at the government's disposal when it does not use its taxing powers aggressively enough." (Eric Posner, University of Chicago Law School)"
£91.20
The University of Chicago Press The AntiFederalist An Abridgment of The Complete
Book Synopsis
£27.00
University of Chicago Press The Adaptability Paradox
£87.40
The University of Chicago Press A Slaveholders Union Slavery Politics And The
Book SynopsisAfter its early introduction into the English colonies in North America, slavery in the United States lasted as a legal institution until the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865. This book demonstrates that slavery was indeed an essential part of the foundation of the nascent republic.Trade Review"Interweaving historical and political analyses, Van Cleve demonstrates, in this account, that slavery was an essential part of the foundation of the American republic." (History Today)"
£26.00
The University of Chicago Press The Timeline of Presidential Elections How
Book SynopsisWith the 2012 presidential election upon us, will voters cast their ballots for the candidates whose platforms and positions best match their own? Or will the race for the next president of the United States come down largely to who runs the most effective campaigning? This book reveals how both factors come into play.Trade Review"This is an important, original book by accomplished political scientists at the top of their game. Robert S. Erikson and Christopher Wlezien have addressed a central question in the study of presidential elections - to what extent do the actual campaigns matter? - and provided an account of election dynamics that anyone with a passing knowledge of presidential elections can understand, but whose technical sophistication will be appreciated by political scientists. The Timeline of Presidential Elections will be regarded as a landmark by the presidential research community." (Gary C. Jacobson, University of California, San Diego)"
£27.00
The University of Chicago Press Learning While Governing
Book SynopsisAlthough their leaders and staff are not elected, bureaucratic agencies have the power to make policy decisions that carry the full force of the law. This book explores an issue central to political science and public administration: How do Congress and the president ensure that bureaucratic agencies implement their preferred policies?Trade Review"For the creativity of its design, the importance of its subject matter, and the depth of its analysis, Learning While Governing is sure to make a splash in the discipline. Sean Gailmard and John W. Patty dish up a rich array of insights into the development of policy expertise within the executive branch. Most importantly, they show that the development and transmittal of expertise is unavoidably haphazard, as the institutional solutions to some problems of governance unavoidably exacerbate others." (William G. Howell, University of Chicago)"
£30.00
McGill-Queen's University Press A Written Constitution for Quebec
Book SynopsisNo province in Canada has codified a written constitution. A Written Constitution for Québec? enters into the debate of whether Quebec should be the first. Taking a doctrinal, historical, theoretical and comparative approach, and addressing the issue from a variety of perspectives, this volume is a vital resource in navigating Quebec’s constitutional future in Canada.Trade Review“I read this book in nearly one sitting—it is that good. Any scholar of Canadian or Quebec politics who reads this book will walk away thankful for the perspectives offered by the contributors and for the hard work of the collection’s two brilliant editors.” Publius
£77.35
Columbia University Press The Papers of Alexander Hamilton Additional
Book Synopsis'
£100.00
Columbia University Press The Iranian Constitutional Revolution Grassroots
Book SynopsisDuring the Iranian Constitutional Revolution of 1906 to 1911 a variety of forces played key roles in overthrowing a repressive regime. Afary sheds new light on the role of ordinary citizens and peasantry, the status of Iranian women, and the multifaceted structure of Iranian society.
£31.50
Columbia University Press BenGurions Spy
Book SynopsisDrawing upon uncovered classified documents and interviews with key players, this text recounts the Lavon affair in Israel in 1963. It tells how the affair, which toppled the government of David Ben-Gurion, the nation's founding father, rocked the corridors of power in Israel.Trade ReviewA magnificently documented account of the Lavon affair, the 1960 political scandal that led to the demise of Prime Minister David Ben Gurion's government three years later, and, says Teveth, the original progressive ideals of Zionism. A.L.A. Booklist
£52.70
Columbia University Press Inside the Red Box
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewWorking from North Korean media, Patrick McEachern shows that, whatever might have been the case under Kim Il Sung, North Korea under his son, Kim Jong Il, is not the unknowable and irrational totalitarian state presented by many commentators. Since the elder Kim's death in 1994, the country's political structure has evolved. The younger Kim is undoubtedly powerful but has neither his father's revolutionary credentials nor his personal charisma and does not always succeed in imposing his views. It is these policy debates that lie behind the apparent abrupt swings from engagement to non-engagement, not some inherent irrationality in the North Korean polity, and it pays to study them. This stimulating and well-written book does just that. It should be required reading for all those interested in or involved with North Korea. -- J. E. Hoare, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and coauthor of North Korea in the Twenty-First Century It is conventional wisdom that information on North Korea is hard to come by, but in fact, the opposite is true. Most researchers quickly find themselves drowning in information, and the real challenge is to make sense of the deluge of data and separate the wheat from the chaff. Patrick McEachern rejects easy routes and embraces the project of using sound social science methodologies to examine a mountain of primary sources. The result of his painstaking analysis is the illumination of domestic politics in Pyongyang-opening up the "red box." While McEachern's findings can be disputed, they cannot be ignored-this book is a must read for any serious student of North Korea. -- Andrew Scobell, Senior Political Scientist, RAND Corporation ...deserve to be added to the list of essential readings on the modern politics of North Korea... -- Marc Lanteigne International Affairs This is a brilliant book that should be read by anyone with an interest in Korean affairs. Survival McEachern's book is a highly useful source for those interested in a comprehensive and nuanced overview of North Korean domestic and foreign policies in the Kim Jong Il era. Korean StudiesTable of ContentsList of Figures and Tables Acknowledgments 1. Introduction 2. Post-totalitarian Institutionalism 3. Historical Context 4. North Korea's Political Institutions 5. Institutional Jostling for Agenda Control, 1998-2001 6. Segmenting Policy and Issue Linkages, 2001-2006 7. Policy Reversals, 2006-2008 8. Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index
£38.25
