Democracy Books

Book SynopsisThis book exposes how powerful consulting firms influence public policy; with grave consequences for democracy, essential services, and the common good.

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Book SynopsisThe first major book to deal with the dual crises of democracy and climate change as one interrelated threat to the human future and to identify a path forward.Democracy in a Hotter Time calls for reforming democratic institutions as a prerequisite for avoiding climate chaos and adapting governance to how Earth works as a physical system. To survive in the “long emergency” ahead, we must reform and strengthen democratic institutions, making them assets rather than liabilities. Edited by David W. Orr, this vital collection of essays proposes a new political order that will not only help humanity survive but also enable us to thrive in the transition to a post–fossil fuel world.Orr gathers leading scholars, public intellectuals, and political leaders to address the many problems confronting our current political systems. Few other books have taken a systems view of the effects of a rapidly destabilizing climate on our laws and governance or

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewChina's first iconic modern intellectual. His lucid and prolific writings, touching on all major concerns in his own time and anticipating many in the future, inspired several generations of thinkers including the much younger Mao Zedong. -- Pankaj Mishra

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Important. . . . For Rogers, indicting the United States for not achieving Baldwin and King’s vision does not mean that racial equality is impossible. Rather, it remains a future to be fought for, albeit by drawing on elements of the past."---William P. Jones, Dissent"Provocative. . . . This illuminating work helps build a foundation of scholarship for understanding core ideas, ideological development, and necessary engagement in African American politics. . . . Highly recommended." * Choice Reviews *"By bringing African American political thought to the forefront of the American tradition, Rogers advances a hopeful but realistic view of American democracy that rejects the narrative that the country is fundamentally white supremacist while, at the same time, acknowledges the United States’ sins of slavery, segregation, and discrimination. . . . At a time when ridiculous and dangerous views about race are voiced in the public square, we need a sensible and hopeful one. The Darkened Light of Faith is such a voice."---Lee Trepanier, University Bookman"In an age when the canons of political thought are being critically reexamined and made more inclusive, this book is an essential resource to learn about what makes African American reflections on democracy and freedom rather distinctive – and how they could fruitfully reshape mainstream conversations." * Review of Democracy *

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Book SynopsisThis brilliant deep dive into international law offers a unique perspective on an unjust war, highlighting why democracy is not safe unless Putin can be put - at least metaphorically - behind bars.

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Book SynopsisIn 2017, the Government’s attempt to trigger Article 50 and so leave the European Union resulted in a judgement by the Supreme Court, which stated that the Government was unentitled to do so without the consent of Parliament, directly citing the Bill of Rights in its judgement. Ironically, the Bill of Rights, enacted in 1689 to address abuses by the Crown, was successfully invoked in the twenty-first century to curb a perceived abuse by Government, acting in the name of the Crown. Passed shortly after the Glorious Revolution, the Bill sets out the balance of power between Parliament and the Crown, prohibiting the sovereign from levying taxes, recruiting troops or suspending laws without Parliamentary consent. Establishing Parliament as the ultimate source of power in the land and enshrining basic civil rights first set out in Magna Carta but subsequently abridged, the Bill document can justly claim to serve as the origin of Britain’s democracy. Published here with an introduction by Jonathan Sumption providing the historical context of the document and its influence over the centuries – particularly on the United States Bill of Rights – this edition shows how a number of the original clauses find renewed relevance in contemporary events.

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Book SynopsisAmerica’s founders feared a president like Donald Trump. Through the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, they erected a fortified but constrained government to secure the benchmarks of our democracy and established the guardrails designed to protect it. But Trump pushed almost every one of the Framers’ safeguards to its limit—most held, but some broke under the weight of presidential abuses even the Framers did not foresee. Thirteen Cracks will be the first book to expose the most vulnerable areas in our democracy, explain in historical context how President Trump uniquely and outrageously exploited these weak spots, and propose a fix for each challenge. Historian Allen J. Lichtman argues that Trump has put us at a pivot point in our history, where the survival of American democracy is at stake. But this is also an historic opportunity to shore up the vulnerabilities and to strengthen our democracy.

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Book SynopsisUniversities have historically been integral to democracy. What can they do to reclaim this critical role?Universities play an indispensable role within modern democracies. But this role is often overlooked or too narrowly conceived, even by universities themselves. In What Universities Owe Democracy, Ronald J. Daniels, the president of Johns Hopkins University, argues thatat a moment when liberal democracy is endangered and more countries are heading toward autocracy than at any time in generationsit is critical for today's colleges and universities to reestablish their place in democracy. Drawing upon fields as varied as political science, economics, history, and sociology, Daniels identifies four distinct functions of American higher education that are key to liberal democracy: social mobility, citizenship education, the stewardship of facts, and the cultivation of pluralistic, diverse communities. By examining these roles over time, Daniels explains where colleges and universities Trade ReviewThis is an exceptionally important, insistently reasonable, delightfully readable book.—The New York TimesAnyone concerned with higher education's role in the public good, especially researchers and practitioners, will find [What Universities Owe Democracy] well worth the read.—Higher EducationWhen the president of a major university publishes a deeply researched, closely reasoned, strongly argued powerful idea and call to the profession to respond to an urgent crisis in our national history, it is highly likely to become a classic in the literature of higher education. Ronald Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University (co-authoring with colleagues Grant Shreve and Phillip Spector), has accomplished that with this new book.—New England Journal of Higher Education[A] forceful argument for universities as change-makers. Daniels wants the American university and its graduates to find more ways to challenge power.—Simona Chiose, University of Toronto, Globe and MailDaniels makes an important contribution to not one but two urgent and topical subjects: the weakening of American self-governance and the overall role of higher education in countering that dangerous trend. One hopes that Daniels's sterling academic reputation, and that of his institution, leads to a wide readership.—Mitch Daniels, President of Purdue University, Washington PostRonald J. Daniels, the president of Johns Hopkins University, makes a compelling case that American universities are failing to meet their civic duty.—Richard Haass, Project SyndicateDaniels recognizes that the public's willingness to support higher education's democratic mission depends on universities reengaging with the nation-state....Daniels's wager is that the end is not inevitable, that universities can reassert their centrality to the American liberal democratic project. I hope he's right.—Johann Neem, Public BooksThe fraying of democracy around the world that is the key premise of Ronald J. Daniels's important book, What Universities Owe Democracy....Daniels's book does two things that are desperately needed and that make it important reading for anyone working in or adjacent to higher education. First, it shows us how to contextualize the work we do in universities—and libraries, and as researchers and publishers....Second, it offers some direction of travel and an agenda in a moment when both feel urgently needed and in short supply.—Karin Wulf, The Scholarly Kitchen[Daniels] offers concrete, actionable and reasonable ideas for how universities can support liberal democratic values and goals. Students of the evolution of the university will learn much from reading this book....Compelling.—Joshua Kim, Inside Higher EdTable of ContentsPrefaceIntroduction1. American Dreams: Access, Mobility, Fairness2. Free Minds: Educating Democratic Citizens3. Hard Facts: Knowledge Creation and Checking Power4. Purposeful Pluralism: Dialogue across Difference on CampusConclusionAcknowledgmentsNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisThe Lawrence and Lynne Brown Democracy Medal, presented by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State, recognizes outstanding individuals, groups, and organizations that produce innovations to further democracy in the United States or around the world. The 2020 Brown Democracy Medal winner, Srdja Popovic, was a leader in the revolution that brought down the Miloševic regime in Serbia and he continues to help protestors around the world learn effective, sometimes humorous, nonviolent tactics. In 2020, he teamed up with Sophia A. McClennen to study the concept of dilemma actions, which offers a structured, strategic approach to fighting back against authoritarianism, as well as for defending democracy.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. A Brief History of the Dilemma Action 2. Core Components of Dilemma Actions 3. Laughtivism: The Secret Ingredient 4. A Proven Tactic Conclusion

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Book Synopsis ‘A riveting read that skips along at pace. Illuminating and concerning, it lifts the lid on the tawdry world of Westminster powerbroking’ Tim Shipman, The Times The explosive behind-the-scenes account of the plot to bring down Boris JohnsonTrade Review 'It’s a rattling read – a non-fiction page-turner’ The Times

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“In these linked portraits of activists and radicals at a watershed moment in history, David and Margaret Talbot tell a profound story about idealism in action and the rousing, inspiring, often messy ways in which popular movements and charismatic individuals fight injustice and bring about revolutionary transformation. By turns sweeping and intimate, and built on fresh interviews and original reporting, By the Light of Burning Dreams feels like necessary reading in our own tumultuous moment: an urgent reminder that change can happen and a vivid illustration of how it does.” — Patrick Radden Keefe, author of Say Nothing “An intelligent and sympathetic reappraisal of the political upheavals of the ’60s and’ 70s. . . . An abundance of fresh material gives this book an intergenerational appeal. . . . Through sharp reporting and good storytelling, the authors enliven a journalistic genre that in less skilled hands might have gone flat.” — Kirkus “If you’ve read either of the Talbot siblings, you know they don’t write anything dry. Simple saviors and canned profiles in courage are not for them. These essays bristle with energy and contention. . . . Whether covering the labor organizing of Cesar Chavez, the gay pride of Craig Rodwell or the celebrity activism of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, the Talbots are guided by dogged reporting and an instinct for finding and telling a story. Even if you know these revolutionaries, you’ll find details here to surprise you. They might even make you want to go out and make a difference yourself.” — San Francisco Chronicle “The timing is perfect for By the Light of Burning Dreams: The Triumphs and Tragedies of the Second American Revolution, a fresh, deeply-reported examination of some of the most effective movement organizers to emerge in the 1960s….After a global pandemic dramatically increased already untenable inequity overlapped with the radical reassertion ― in the streets and online ― that America is built on fundamentally false pretenses when it comes to equality, the Talbots provide a memorable blueprint for how individuals can continue the work even when the TV crews move on.” — Scheer Post “[The Talbots] survey the seismic sociocultural changes that transpired in the U.S. during the 1960s and 1970s—what they call the Second American Revolution—by identifying seven discrete yet often intertwining movements or events of consequence…. The authors clearly admire the courage, political savvy, and sheer physical effort required to create and then sustain such critical movements, but they’re also unsparing in saying that mistakes were made…. As a result, the Talbots have created a coherent narrative of mid-century political activism, from which readers can see the through lines of modern-day success or failure, and proceed from there.” — Booklist, starred review “By the Light of Burning Dreams crackles with the radical energy of the 1960s and 70s. It’s a shot in the arm of bold idealism, an indispensable companion for today’s revolutionaries that reminds us what can happen if we dare to believe in – and fight for – a better world." — Jessica Bruder, author of Nomadland “Charismatic but flawed figures dominate this vibrant portrait of 1960s radical movements. . . . An exhilarating, inspiring outing.” — Publishers Weekly “Wide-ranging yet accessible…. A loving but critical portrait of a generation whose effects are still felt today.” — Library Journal "A moving chronology of the activism that burned bright in the decades of the ’60s and ’70s. Each movement is written about with a compassionate, yet practical view of their attributes and their shortcomings. The successes elicit joy, the setbacks provoking consternation, but the history provided in this treasure is illuminating and concludes with optimism. A+ History." — Seattle Book Review "Inspiring.... No hagiographers here; the Talbots point to the failures and imperfections in their characters, making their legacies human and real." — The National Book Review "David Talbot and Margaret Talbot take us back to that tumultuous time fifty years ago... [and] successively spotlight some of the most compelling personalities of the 1960s and 70s.... It’s a painful story to read because it highlights how sadly incomplete that revolution proved to be. And it brings to mind the ferocity of the Right-Wing reaction that followed later in the 1970s and beyond, setting the stage for the sad state of the American scene today." — Berkleyside "Did the actions of radicals transform the nation in any fundamental way? Or did they blaze too quickly across the landscape?. ... David Talbot and Margaret Talbot, siblings and veteran journalists, have crafted a book of personal narratives rich with the kinds of details that might help answer such queries.... The book brims with vivid descriptions of how all these characters looked, dressed, got along with one another (or didn’t), and how they came across in public. The Talbots sprinkle in factual nuggets that might surprise even former activists from those years or the historians who write about them (this reviewer belongs to both clusters)." — The New Republic

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Book SynopsisAmerican Jewish history is full of discussions and debates and hand wringing over who is Jewish, how to be Jewish, and what it means to be Jewish.In Bad Jews, Emily Tamkin examines the last 100 years of American Jewish politics, culture, identities, and arguments.Trade Review“The Influence of Soros is a gripping, deeply insightful book. It takes readers behind a thick curtain of confusion and conspiracy theory to shine a light on one of the most fascinating political stories of our time. George Soros, as it turns out, isn’t who you think he is. His political project is more profound, and more interesting, than the caricatures portrayed by his many opponents around the world. Emily Tamkin is the perfect tour guide to explore Soros’s world. -- Christopher Leonard, author of Kochland“More than just a much needed reality check on all the wild Soros conspiracies out there, this clever and well-written book shows Soros as a sort of Zelig through whom one can view the history of the 20th and 21st centuries, from Nazi occupied Europe to Obama-era US, and across the rise and destruction of many ideologies.” -- Peter Pomerantsev, author of Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible and This Is Not Propaganda"With this elegantly written and engaging book, Emily Tamkin coolly sweeps away a thousand conspiracy theories, while never losing sight of all the paradoxes thrown up when a billionaire seeks to buy his way towards an open society." -- Julian Borger, author of The Butcher's Trail: How the Search for Balkan War Criminals Became the World's Most Successful Manhunt"[Tamkin] offers shrewd insights into the mechanisms by which a person can amass vast wealth and use it to effect change on a global scale. This judicious account cuts through the fog of conspiracy surrounding Soros." -- Publishers Weekly"A welcome study of a man whose outsize power in the marketplace and public sphere fascinates." -- Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisDrawing on ADL’s decades of experience in fighting hate through investigative research, education programs, and legislative victories as well as his own personal story and his background in business and government, Greenblatt offers a bracing primer on how we—as individuals, as organizations, and as a society—can strike back against hate.Trade Review"Jonathan Greenblatt and I have two things in common: a love of storytelling and a strong belief that social media has dangerously amplified bigotry, misogyny, and conspiracy theories. In this refreshingly candid read, Jonathan is not afraid to call out leaders of tech companies like Facebook and Twitter to be more accountable for their role in spreading hatred. Get off Instagram and read this book." — Sacha Baron Cohen "Jonathan Greenblatt has written an urgent work of deep love and deep anxiety—for the Jewish people, for America, for the state of Israel . . . It Could Happen Here will help shape the conversation on antisemitism and hate in America" — Yossi Klein Halevi, Senior Fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute, and author of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor "It Could Happen Here describes the insidious ways that unchecked hate can seep into society from the periphery, growing from the seeds of fringe thought into harmful rhetoric and heinous actions. Greenblatt has written a playbook against hate that shows just how fragile the balance between calm and chaos can be when we turn a blind eye. We should heed the warning." — Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation "For over a century, ADL has played a crucial role in identifying and countering antisemitism, prejudice, and hatred. In his book, Jonathan Greenblatt helps readers take the battle to their own social networks, by offering practical advice to individuals and institutions on ways to confront and even dismantle hatred in its early stages. In this time of extreme political polarization and quickly growing distrust, Greenblatt's comprehensive work can help us build bridges, build trust, and uproot harmful prejudices from our midst." — Natan Sharansky, Israeli politician, human rights activist, and a former prisoner of conscience in the Soviet Union “There has never been a more perilous time for individual rights and liberties. And as Jonathan Greenblatt illustrates so powerfully in It Could Happen Here, we must understand our history, both recent and distant, to avoid the threats to our rights today. Greenblatt offers his piercing insights from multiple perches he’s served in—from the White House to the ADL. We must act now, heed his advice, and fight for what’s right.” — Anthony Romero, Executive Director, ACLU Purpose-driven business leaders are taking a stand against the rise of hate at home and around the world. As CEO of ADL, an institution that has been at the forefront of the fight against antisemitism, racism and all forms of intolerance, Jonathan Greenblatt has a vision for how companies—and their CEOs—can act responsibly and pragmatically for our collective future. This book lays out the how and why. — hamina Singh, Founder & President, Center for Inclusive Growth, Mastercard It Could Happen Here is an indictment of antisemitism on both the left and the right. Jonathan Greenblatt explains his journey and our predicament, and offers a crucial road map for an age of resurgent hate. — Rabbi David Wolpe, Sinai Temple, Los Angeles “In this pivotal moment of American history, Jonathan Greenblatt has written a vital book. It is at once a primer on the various extremisms of our era, and a guide to how to build a healthy, diverse democracy. This book is essential reading.” — Eboo Patel, Founder and President, Interfaith Youth Core, and author of Acts of Faith and We Need to Build “In this moment, when stubborn, ugly hatreds have again reared their heads, Jonathan Greenblatt offers a superb, clear-eyed snapshot of what is unfolding and why. Even more importantly, he leaves the reader feeling not helpless, but emboldened—helping us see all the ways we can each be a ‘story of courage.’ His suggestions are concrete, smart, and galvanizing. His writing is compelling. This book is not just the alarm we need but also a bracing call to action.” — Abigail Pogrebin, author of My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays; One Wondering Jew Jonathan Greenblatt has channeled his unique combination of entrepreneurship and public service experience into a new vision for ADL. He does the same in this page-turning book, which weaves beautiful stories with practical advice on how to fight hate. An urgent book for an urgent time. — Daniel Lubetzky, Founder and Executive Chairman, KIND Snacks Jonathan Greenblatt offers an insightful perspective on the forces tearing the nation's social fabric and shows how it can be mended. Leveraging his extensive and varied experience, he guides us in confronting the threatening realities. We cannot, and must not, erase past horrors but—like Greenblatt—we can learn from them to avoid new pitfalls of hatred, and find our way on the path to tolerance and understanding. — Dani Dayan, Chairman, Yad Vashem America is being torn apart by hate. Unscrupulous internet platforms, media companies, and politicians are amplifying hate it for their own benefit, with catastrophic consequences for society. In It Can Happen Here, Jonathan Greenblatt provides an essential manual for combatting hate that is based on a century of ADL experience fighting antisemitism. This book is a must read. — Roger McNamee, New York Times best-selling author of Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe Greenblatt offers compelling and empowering solutions to work against the dangers of the hate spreading every day in our country. With something to offer individuals from all backgrounds, this book aims to not only educate and inform, but also to inspire current and future generations to be and do better for one another. — Sheila Katz, CEO, National Council of Jewish Women It is easy to think that the Holocaust will never happen again. Sadly, we cannot be so sure. This is why the ADL was created: to prevent future atrocities. In this powerful book, Jonathan Greenblatt offers a sobering reminder and at same time provides clear ideas on how we can work together to create belonging, offer hope, and change the future. This is a must read for anyone working for social change. — Sonal Shah, President, The Asian American Foundation Jonathan Greenblatt has demonstrated prophetic leadership with this book. It Could Happen Here manages to be both inspiring and actionable, illustrating how people from all faiths can combat the specter of intolerance that ultimately threatens all people. — Imam Abdullah Antepli, Associate Professor, Duke University We may think the battle against hate is unwinnable, but Jonathan Greenblatt gives us courage to enter the fray and provides tools, lessons and experiences to support us in our confrontation with this age-old menace. What’s at stake is the well-being if not the very existence of our society as we know it. It’s a fight from which we cannot turn away. — Rabbi Peter J. Rubinstein, Director of Jewish Community and Bronfman Center for Jewish Life, 92Y

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Book SynopsisFrom World War II until the 1980s, the United States reigned supreme as both the economic and the military leader of the world. The major shifts in global politics that came about with the dismantling of the Eastern Bloc have left the United States unchallenged as the pre-eminent military power, but American economic might has declined drastically in the face of competition, first from Germany and Japan and more recently from the newly prosperous countries elsewhere.In this book, Noam Chomsky points to the potentially catastrophic consequences of this imbalance. He reveals a world in which the United States exploits its advantage ruthlessly to enforce its national interests - and in the process destroys weaker nations.Deterring Democracy offers a devastating analysis of American Imperialism, drawing alarming connections between its repression of information inside the US and its aggressive empire-building abroad.Trade ReviewOffers a revelatory portrait of the US empire of the 1980s and '90s, an ugly side of America largely kept hidden from the public by a complacent media * Publishers Weekly *Shows how large the gap is between the realities of today's world and the picture of it that is presented to the American public * Observer *Arguably the most important intellectual alive * New York Times *It's the truth. Noam really has the goods on those guys in America -- Robert Crumb * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisPaul Collier is a professor of economics at Oxford University. The author of The Bottom Billion, which won the 2008 Lionel Gelber Prize for the world's best book on international affairs, he has lectured widely on the subjects of economics and international relations.Trade ReviewVery important ideas based on extremely thorough empirical research...put him in the same camp as real heavyweights such as the Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz -- Misha Glenny * Guardian *Collier comes up with very concrete proposals and some ingenious solutions * The Times *Collier knows Africa intimately... It is hard to be unmoved by his anger about the world's blindness to realities, and his passion to do things better -- Max Hastings * Sunday Times *With its verve, wit and lateral thinking, this is a book that changes its readers' horizons * Observer *It is always a pleasure to discover Paul Collier's latest thoughts...always illuminating and grounded in rigorous social science...it's gripping stuff -- Allister Heath * Literary Review *

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Book SynopsisProbably written by a student of Aristotle, The Athenian Constitution is both a history and an analysis of Athens' political machinery between the seventh and fourth centuries BC, which stands as a model of democracy at a time when city-states lived under differing kinds of government. The writer recounts the major reforms of Solon, the rule of the tyrant Pisistratus and his sons, the emergence of the democracy in which power was shared by all free male citizens, and the leadership of Pericles and the demagogues who followed him. He goes on to examine the city's administration in his own time - the council, the officials and the judicial system. For its information on Athens' development and how the democracy worked, The Athenian Constitution is an invaluable source of knowledge about the Athenian city-state.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, PenTable of ContentsThe Athenian ConstitutionList of Illustrations and MapsIntroductionTHE ATHENIAN CONSTITUTIONTHE EPITOME OF HERACLIDESNotesChronological TableBibliographyGlossary and Subject IndexIndex of Persons and Places

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Book SynopsisOne of the most influential political texts ever written on America, and an indispensable authority on the nature of democracy In 1831 Alexis de Tocqueville, a young French aristocrat and civil servant, made a nine-month journey through eastern America. The result was Democracy in America, a monumental study of the strengths and weaknesses of the nation''s evolving politics. Tocqueville looked to the flourishing democratic system in America as a possible model for post-revolutionary France, believing its egalitarian ideals reflected the spirit of the age. This edition, the only one that contains all Tocqueville''s writings on America, includes the rarely translated ''Two Weeks in the Wilderness'', an evocative account of Tocqueville''s travels among the Iroquois and Chippeway, and ''Excursion to Lake Oneida''. Translated by Gerald Bevan with an Introduction and Notes by Isaac KramnickTrade Review“No better study of a nation’s institutions and culture than Tocqueville’s Democracy in America has ever been written by a foreign observer.” –The New York Times“The Bradley edition of Tocqueville’s classic is the best now available in English.” –Charles A. Beard“Professor Bradley’s edition should remain the standard one for our time.” –F. O. MatthiessenWith an Introduction by Alan RyanTable of ContentsChronology; further reading; translator's notes; democracy in America, notes; "Two Weeks in the Wilderness"; "Excursion to Lake Oneida".

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Book SynopsisWhat happens once democracy has been used up? When it has been hollowed out and emptied of meaning? This title provides an exploration of the political picture in India. It shows how the journey that Hindu nationalism and neo-liberal economic reforms began together in the early 1990s is unravelling in dangerous ways.

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Book SynopsisTHE PHENOMENAL BESTSELLER''Fantastic, timely, eye-opening'' Armando Iannucci, New Statesman, Books of the Year''Captures a collective sense of anger and awakening'' Matt Haig, Observer, Books of the YearBehind our democracy lurks a powerful but unaccountable network of people who wield massive power and reap huge profits in the process. In exposing this shadowy and complex system that dominates our lives, Owen Jones sets out on a journey into the heart of our Establishment, from the lobbies of Westminster to the newsrooms, boardrooms and trading rooms of Fleet Street and the City. Exposing the revolving doors that link these worlds, and the vested interests that bind them together, Jones shows how, in claiming to work on our behalf, the people at the top are doing precisely the opposite. In fact, they represent the biggest threat to our democracy today - and it is time they were challenged.''A book of revelations ... The Establishment have stitched it up - stitched you up - and they know it'' Danny Dorling, Times Higher Education Supplement''A dissection of the profoundly and sickeningly corrupt state that is present-day Britain. He is a fine writer, and this is a truly necessary book'' Philip Pullman''Owen Jones is a phenomenon of our times'' David Kynaston, The Times Literary Supplement ''You will be enlightened and angry'' Irvine WelshTrade ReviewAn eye-opening state-of-the-nation book. -- Armando Iannucci * New Statesman Books of the Year *I'll never look at UK class politics in the same way after Owen Jones's bracing and principled The Establishment -- Naomi Klein * Guardian Books of the Year *I am delighted to see social class storm its way back into our contemporary history: Owen Jones's The Establishment offers a well-documented as well as searing critique of the groupthink that binds together our rulers -- David Kynaston * Guardian Books of the Year *This is the most important book on the real politics of the UK in my lifetime, and the only one you will ever need to read. You will be enlightened and angry -- Irvine WelshOwen Jones displays a powerful combination of cool analysis and fiery anger in this dissection of the profoundly and sickeningly corrupt state that is present-day Britain. He is a fine writer, and this is a truly necessary book -- Philip PullmanThorough and admirably vivid ... he is excellent on how the state has become a creature of capital, controlled by the corporate sector. As Jones shows, British capitalism is highly dependent on state largesse and rich corporations are the biggest scroungers of all * New Statesman *Powerful . . . The book's great strength lies in the simple power of accumulation. Again and again, Jones connects the dots in parallel lines, so that the single examples that might in themselves be dismissed as circumstantial or overblown become more or less unanswerable . . . He is a writer of real rhetorical force * Independent *A passionate account of political and economic injustice * Observer *A book of revelations... The last time the British Establishment was so intertwined, so arrogant and so powerful was a century ago, and the last democratic revolution that redistributed wealth took a lifetime to play out -- Danny Dorling * Times Higher Education *An important book ... a systematic critique of the various political, corporate and economic institutions that seek to consolidate the interests of the few at the expense of the many ... Jones has the establishment clutching at their little golden straws ... It is not an easy road, Jones argues, but if we show strength and solidarity - perhaps adding a little common sense - we can reinstate true democracy and thus prioritize the needs of the many * Huffington Post *The breadth of Jones' research is impressive ... the chapter on the recent history of ideas is fascinating ... the sections on corporate tax-avoidance, the lobbying industry and the sell-off of the NHS ought to have genuine British taxpayers spitting with rage. Jones ultimately sees his Establishment not as the guardians of British values but as a threat to them -- Richard Godwin * Evening Standard *In many respects, Owen Jones is the best thing to happen to the non-compromised, non-New Labour left in the mainstream media in decades ... On the post-1979 'establishment' Jones is very strong indeed -- Owen Hatherley * London Review of Books *Owen Jones is a phenomenon of our times ... He asks some familiar questions, but with a compelling urgency ... he is systematically interested in the underlying mentality, and not just the behaviour, of his subjects, giving his study a refreshing and crucial extra dimension * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisIs it a state? An empire? Is Europe ruled by Germany or by European bureaucrats? Does a single European economy exist after all these years of economic integration? And should the EU have been awarded the Nobel peace prize in 2012? This book offers an introduction to the European Union - its history, its politics, and its role today.Trade ReviewThe European Union: A Citizen's Guide by Chris Bickerton is a good place to find out how Europe works: the European council, the council of Europe and the Byzantine committee structure that operates in virtual secrecy... My advice is this. Use Bickerton... to learn how the EU works... And then, whatever Cameron says, you can make up your own mind about the future -- Roland White * Sunday Times *An unlikely bestseller * Daily Telegraph *A lucid, helpful guide to the EU's structures and operating methods -- Tony Barber * Financial Times *An indispensable book for these times * Big Issue *Provocative * Economist *A timely account of the EU's byzantine bureaucratic procedures and political rules * The Times Literary Supplement *

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Book Synopsis''A manual for the 21st-century citizen... accessible, refreshingly critical, relevant and urgent'' - Financial Times ''Fascinating and deeply disturbing'' - Yuval Noah Harari, Guardian Books of the Year In this New York Times bestseller, Cathy O''Neil, one of the first champions of algorithmic accountability, sounds an alarm on the mathematical models that pervade modern life -- and threaten to rip apart our social fabric.We live in the age of the algorithm. Increasingly, the decisions that affect our lives - where we go to school, whether we get a loan, how much we pay for insurance - are being made not by humans, but by mathematical models. In theory, this should lead to greater fairness: everyone is judged according to the same rules, and bias is eliminated. And yet, as Cathy O''Neil reveals in this urgent and necessary book, the opposite is true. The models being used today are opaque, unregulated, and incontestable, even when they''re wrong. Most troubling, they reinforce discrimination. Tracing the arc of a person''s life, O''Neil exposes the black box models that shape our future, both as individuals and as a society. These weapons of math destruction score teachers and students, sort CVs, grant or deny loans, evaluate workers, target voters, and monitor our health. O''Neil calls on modellers to take more responsibility for their algorithms and on policy makers to regulate their use. But in the end, it''s up to us to become more savvy about the models that govern our lives. This important book empowers us to ask the tough questions, uncover the truth, and demand change.Trade ReviewFascinating and deeply disturbing -- Yuval Noah Harari * Guardian Books of the Year *This is a manual for the 21st-century citizen, and it succeeds where other big data accounts have failed - it is accessible, refreshingly critical and feels relevant and urgent -- Federica Cocco * Financial Times *Well-written, entertaining and very valuable -- Danny Dorling * Times Higher Education *O'Neil has become a whistle-blower for the world of Big Data... Her work makes particularly disturbing points about how being on the wrong side of an algorithmic decision can snowball in incredibly destructive ways * Time *Cathy O'Neil has seen Big Data from the inside, and the picture isn't pretty. Weapons of Math Destruction opens the curtain on algorithms that exploit people and distort the truth while posing as neutral mathematical tools. This book is wise, fierce, and desperately necessary -- Jordan Ellenberg, author of How Not To Be WrongWeapons of Math Destruction is a fantastic, plainspoken call to arms. Cathy O'Neil's book is important precisely because she believes in data science. It's a vital crash course in why we must interrogate the systems around us and demand better -- Cory Doctorow, author of Little Brother and co-editor of Boing BoingOften we don't even know where to look for those important algorithms, because by definition the most dangerous ones are also the most secretive. That's why the catalogue of case studies in O'Neil's book are so important; she's telling us where to look * Guardian *In today's world, if you want to change your fate you've got to pray at the altar of the algorithm... As math guru Cathy O'Neil argues in her newest book, these models are just the latest way America's institutions perpetuate bias and prejudice to reward the rich and keep the poor, well, poor. It's a nuanced reminder that big data is only as good as the people wielding it * Wired *Not math heavy, but written in an exceedingly accessible, almost literary style; her fascinating case studies of WMDs fit neatly into the genre of dystopian literature. There's a little Philip K. Dick, a little Orwell, a little Kafka in her portrait of powerful bureaucracies ceding control of the most intimate decisions of our lives to hyper-empowered computer models riddled with all of our unresolved, atavistic human biases -- Chris Jackson * Paris Review *O'Neil is an ideal person to write this book... She is one of the strongest voices speaking out for limiting the ways we allow algorithms to influence our lives and against the notion that an algorithm, because it is implemented by an unemotional machine, cannot perpetrate bias or injustice... While Weapons of Math Destruction is full of hard truths and grim statistics, it is also accessible and even entertaining. O'Neil's writing is direct and easy to read - I devoured it in an afternoon -- Evelyn Lamb * Scientific American *

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of The Shifts and the Shocks, and one of the most influential writers on economics, a reckoning with how and why the relationship between democracy and capitalism is coming undone We are living in an age when economic failings have shaken faith in global capitalism. Political failings have undermined trust in liberal democracy and in the very notion of truth. The ties that ought to bind open markets to free and fair elections are being strained and rejected, even in democracy''s notional heartlands. Around the world, democratic capitalism, which depends on the determined separation of power from wealth, is in crisis. Some now argue that capitalism is better without democracy; others that democracy is better without capitalism.This book is a forceful rejoinder to both views. It analyses how the marriage between capitalism and democracy has become so fraught and yet insists that a divorce would be an almost unimaginable calamity. Martin Wolf, one of the wisest public voices on global affairs, argues that for all its recent failings - slowing growth, increasing inequality, widespread popular disillusion - democratic capitalism, though inherently fragile, remains the best system we know for human flourishing. Capitalism and democracy are complementary opposites: they need each other if either is to thrive. Wolf''s superb exploration of their marriage shows us how citizenship and a shared faith in the common good are not romantic slogans but the essential foundation of our economic and political freedom.Trade ReviewMartin Wolf has been an incisive commentator on economics and politics for a long time. This book is an excellent and thought-provoking synthesis of his views on democratic capitalism and how to fix it. -- Ben Bernanke, former chair of the Federal ReserveMartin Wolf is one of the deepest thinkers of our times and his latest book is a must-read! He brilliantly analyzes the causes of current crisis of democratic capitalism and presents the reforms needed to successfully rejuvenate it. He rightly calls for a new alliance of reformed democratic capitalist states to protect global peace, inclusive prosperity and the planet against plutocratic populism and tyranny. Hopefully, his words will be carefully read and heeded. -- Nouriel Roubini, Professor, New York UniversityMartin Wolf is a great humanist and a sharp analytical mind. He unfurls here a bracing indictment of democratic capitalism and an inspiring defense of it. To defend the values of freedom and dignity, democracy and capitalism must both be reformed. A necessary book- and a guide -- for our times -- Daniel Ziblatt, Professsor, Harvard University and co-author of HOW DEMOCRACIES DIEMartin Wolf brings together many decades' worth of thought and analysis into this superb synthesis. An important guide for anyone seeking answers to the most difficult questions of our time. -- Anne Applebaum, Atlantic staff writer and author of TWILIGHT OF DEMOCRACYMartin Wolf is our wisest, most acute, and most experienced commentator. He has long been an optimist, but no more. He believes that today's market economy is no longer compatible with a stable liberal democracy. As Plato long ago warned, insecurity and fear can be the gateways to tyranny. Wolf's recommendations are smart and sensible and perhaps not too late. A must read for both optimists and pessimists. -- Sir Angus Deaton, Nobel Prize in Economics 2015Martin Wolf has written the definitive account of what ails capitalism and democracy. This staggeringly erudite and beautifully written book is sure to become required reading for anybody who wants to understand how democratic capitalism slid into a deep crisis, why it is worth rescuing, and how to do so. -- Yascha Mounk, Professor, Johns Hopkins University and author of THE GREAT EXPERIMENTThe arrival of this book could not be timelier as the global economy darkens further. Who better than Martin Wolf, with his masterful knowledge of history and understanding of economics, to identify the twin threats of predatory capitalism and demagogic politics and to plot a narrow corridor to escape? It takes someone with a knowledge of the entire forest to isolate the rot at the base of the trees. -- Carmen M. Reinhart, Professor of Economics, Harvard UniversityPassionate, alarmed, wise: Martin Wolf has poured his soul into the book that may be recognized as his masterpiece. In it, he confronts the disturbing truths dismissed by his own complacent generation, and their consequences, with which the young will contend. -- Sir Paul Collier, author of THE FUTURE OF CAPITALISMThe Crisis of Democratic Capitalism will reach a wide and powerful audience. It will be read by world leaders and CEOs. If it convinces some of them to change tack, away from the plutocratic path that national and international economies are currently on, then we should all be grateful. -- William Davies * New Statesman *a cri de coeur ... This book, impressively researched, is ... a mine of information for anybody wanting to know about the forces driving the global economy in recent decades ... Democracy is the worst form of government - except for all the others, as Churchill once said. And the same is true of capitalism relative to other forms of economic organisation. Fixing both is the task. -- David Smith * Sunday Times *The book's power lies in Wolf's central perception and the scale of the canvas he uses to illustrate it. The problems he describes - inequality, lack of social mobility, slowing productivity gains, the influence of money over politics, disaffection with democracy - are familiar, but by identifying them collectively as causes of the calamity he foresees, he gives new urgency to the need to address them. -- Emma Duncan * The Times *Martin Wolf is one of the world's most influential economists ... His new book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism, is both his magnum opus and an explanation of his crisis of faith. ... Wolf argues that democracy and capitalism are complementary opposites: Opposites because capitalism depends on inequality of rewards while democracy depends on political equality, complementary because they both enshrine the principle of individual choice. But in recent decades this marriage of opposites has been falling apart, most importantly in the supposed standard-bearer of democratic capitalism, the United States. ... a penetrating analysis of Western society's ills -- Adrian Wooldridge * Bloomberg *The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism draws on the wisdom accumulated over his distinguished career... The case he makes is authoritative and compelling. * Economist *The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism will reach a wide and powerful audience. It will be read by world leaders and CEOs. If it convinces some of them to change tack, away from the plutocratic path that national and international economies are currently on, then we should all be grateful. -- William Davies * New Statesman *Martin Wolf shines a light on the doom loop of democratic capitalism ... in his fine new book -- Bill Emmott * Financial Times *

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Book Synopsis*The International Bestseller*''Superb, hugely enjoyable ... a spirited examination of the hubris and hypocrisy of the super-rich who claim they are helping the world'' Aditya Chakrabortty, GuardianWhat explains the spreading backlash against the global elite? In this revelatory investigation, Anand Giridharadas takes us into the inner sanctums of a new gilded age, showing how the elite follow a ''win-win'' logic, fighting for equality and justice any way they can - except ways that threaten their position at the top. But why should our gravest problems be solved by consultancies, technology companies and corporate-sponsored charities instead of public institutions and elected officials? Why should we rely on scraps from the winners? Trenchant and gripping, this is an indispensable guide and call to action for elites and citizens alike.Trade ReviewA splendid polemic. . . Giridharadas writes brilliantly on the parasitic philanthropy industry * Economist *Trenchant, provocative and well-researched. . . Read it and beware -- Martha Lane Fox * Financial Times Books of the Year *Hugely enjoyable. . . A spirited examination of the hypocrisy of the super-rich who claim they are helping the world -- Aditya Chakrabortty * Guardian *Entertaining and gripping . . . For those at the helm, the philanthropic plutocrats and aspiring "change agents" who believe they are helping but are actually making things worse, it's time for a reckoning with their role in this spiraling dilemma -- Joseph Stiglitz * New York Times Book Review *Giridharadas isn't afraid to speak his mind, even if it means taking down some of the most powerful people on the planet. . . He has started a movement with this scathing critique of a society that rewards monopolistic models, faux philanthropy and protects the interests of a wealthy few -- Tabitha Goldstaub * Forbes *A fierce book. . . What gives Giridharadas's heartfelt critique such force is that he is a heretic, someone chosen for the equivalent of the priesthood in the new religion of philanthropy who had a revelation and decided to renounce the faith -- Iain Martin * The Times *

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Book Synopsis''Will set your hair on end'' Telegraph, Top 50 Books of the Year''I forgot to breathe while reading The Fifth Risk'' Michael Hofmann, TLS, Books of the YearThe bestselling, no-holds-barred exposé of the people who are wrecking our democracy, by the master storyteller of our times ''The election happened ... And then there was radio silence.''The morning after Trump was elected president, the people who ran the US Department of Energy - an agency that deals with some of the most powerful risks facing humanity - waited to welcome the incoming administration''s transition team. Nobody appeared. Across the US government, the same thing happened: nothing.People don''t notice when stuff goes right. That is the stuff government does. It manages everything that underpins our lives from funding free school meals, to policing rogue nuclear activity, to predicting extreme weather events. It steps in where private investment fears to tread, innovates and creates knowledge, assesses extreme long-term risk. And now, government is under attack. By its own leaders.In The Fifth Risk, Michael Lewis reveals the combustible cocktail of wilful ignorance and venality that is fuelling the destruction of a country''s fabric. All of this, Lewis shows, exposes America and the world to the biggest risk of all. It is what you never learned that might have saved you.Trade ReviewStranger and more terrifying than fiction ... The characters are riveting, and the drama intense. It's a story so jaw-dropping that at times it's hard to believe it was not invented for film ... It paints a picture of America being not just pulled apart at the political seams, but in the very fabric of the government itself. * Daily Telegraph *A page turner ... Lewis's most ambitious and important book. * The New York Times Book Review *Who will fight for the censuses of this world? Who will defend the research grants, food-voucher programmes and risk management projects that quietly sustain a healthy nation? Step forward Michael Lewis. ... The result is a civics lesson worth taking ... Stunning. His message is powerful ... reminds us why good institutions matter, why skilled public servants are critical and what our government is actually for. * Sunday Times *Jaw-dropping ... genuinely stopped me in my tracks. -- Stefano Hatfield * i newspaper *Michael Lewis has a gift for identifying seemingly inaccessible subjects and spinning them into epic stories with Hollywood appeal. * New Statesman *Lewis's remarkable books tend to tell the stories of underdogs, heroically independent-minded people who zag when the world zigs. * Evening Standard *Risk has been the central theme of Lewis's highly successful career. ... The fifth risk is something impossible to conceive of in advance, or to prepare for directly. What matters is having a well-organised government in place to respond to these contingencies when they hit ­- exactly what the Trump administration has failed to do. * Guardian *Given that we now seem to be inhabiting a somewhat medieval world of plague and portent, I'd like to make the case for the prophetic powers of the US journalist Michael Lewis ... In December the notion [of the fifth risk] seemed wildly far-fetched. Four months on, it seems we will get the chance to find out if he was on the money. -- Tim Adams * Observer *The best part of The Fifth Risk is the evidence Lewis can add to the pile ... Lewis is a master of boiling down complexity into individual stories told by interesting characters. * The Times *Michael Lewis has a knack for making the complex appear simple. Here he uses the inner workings of the US Department of Energy to demonstrate how Trump is dismantling government. * i magazine *

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Book SynopsisGlenn Simpson (Author) Glenn Simpson is the founder of Fusion GPS. He is a former senior reporter for The Wall Street Journal who has specialized in campaign finance, money laundering, tax evasion, terrorism finance, securities fraud, and political corruption. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his family.Peter Fritsch (Author) Peter Fritsch co-founded Fusion GPS. He is a former reporter and bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal based in Mexico City, São Paulo, South and Southeast Asia, and Brussels. He finished his Wall Street Journal career as national security editor in Washington, D.C. He lives in Maryland with his family.Trade ReviewCrime in Progress is the best procedural yet written about the discovery of Trump's Russia ties. * The New York Times *Crime in Progress is a masterclass in how Washington works. -- Peter Nicholas * The Atlantic *I've read all the books on this subject - this is the one you want to read ... I feel fairly steeped in this matter and I learned something on every page. -- Rachel Maddow, Host of the Rachel Maddow Show, MSNBCCrimes In Progress is the most convincing case you are likely to read that the US president is an asset of the Russian government [and] sheds important light on the least likely president in American history. -- Edward Luce * The Financial Times *You don't need to read John le Carré or Tom Clancy to find espionage thrills in Washington these days, turn over any stone in the Beltway's secret world and you'll observe the seething mass of conspiracy and subterfuge beneath ... Take Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch, hard-bitten old newspaper hacks, muck-raking types, who have become central characters in a quite terrifying international spy thriller. -- Josh Glancy * The Sunday Times *An entertaining and readable account, with eye-popping anecdotes, of alleged collusion and the failure of the US media to expose it. * The Guardian *Crime in Progress untangles one of the great mysteries of the Trump era - the full story of the Steele dossier - and provides a fascinating insight into the investigatory mind at work. It's an indispensable guide to the Russia scandals - and a reminder of the redemptive power of facts over lies. -- Jeffrey Toobin

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Book SynopsisTHE TOP TEN SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERGeography comes before history. Islands cannot have the same history as continental plains. The United Kingdom is a European country, but not the same kind of European country as Germany, Poland or Hungary. For most of the 150 centuries during which Britain has been inhabited it has been on the edge, culturally and literally, of mainland Europe.In this succinct book, Tombs shows that the decision to leave the EU is historically explicable - though not made historically inevitable - by Britain''s very different historical experience, especially in the twentieth century, and because of our more extensive and deeper ties outside Europe. He challenges the orthodox view that Brexit was due solely to British or English exceptionalism: in choosing to leave the EU, the British, he argues, were in many ways voting as typical Europeans.Trade Reviewconfident ... surprising and original ... and humble ... Tombs's opening chapter, putting Britain's relationship with Europe into a wider historical context, offers more insights than entire shelves of rival Brexit books. "Geography comes before history," he begins. "Islands cannot have the same history as continental plains. The United Kingdom is a European country, but not the same kind of European country as Germany, Poland or Hungary." ... Like all good historians, Tombs can be entertainingly bitchy [yet] all the time, with elegant wit, he punctures myth after myth -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times *The time has finally come for the whole issue [of Brexit] to pass from the hands of journalists into those of historians. Robert Tombs, emeritus professor of French history at Cambridge, has started the process of objective historical analysis with a profoundly thoughtful explanation of how Brexit happened, and why ... Tombs has a witty turn of phrase and agreeably ironic style that means that he never descends into polemic ... If journalism is the first draft of history, then This Sovereign Isle is its penultimate draft, and the best we will have for many years. -- Andrew Roberts * Daily Telegraph *A short, punchy, eloquent statement from such a distinguished historian -- Fintan O'Toole * The Guardian *Cambridge professor Tombs offers a fine first draft of history in this objective explanation of how and why Brexit happened. Tombs takes a witty, engagingly ironic approach to the false claims of Project Fear. -- Summer reading * The Telegraph *A rare intellectual proponent of Brexit, Robert Tombs infuriates pro-Europeans-even more so because of his undeniable calibre as a historian ... This Sovereign Isle argued that the Leave vote was inevitable as well as rational: the UK never fitted the European project. He understands this as a reaction to the traumas of the continent's story - traumas that Britain's distinctive journey has sometimes ducked ... His theme - national identity in a fracturing world - has contemporary significance far beyond these shores. -- The world’s top 50 thinkers, 2021 * Prospect *admirably independent-minded and well argued ... should indeed be made compulsory reading for all Brexiteers -- Richard Evans * New Statesman *To Remainers interested in reading a civilised & learned defence of Brexit, I highly recommend it -- Tom Holland

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Uncompromising and unconventional . . . Cornel West is an eloquent prophet with attitude.” —Newsweek“West reveals himself as a thinker of dazzling erudition, whose critiques are inevitably balanced by an infectious optimism and magnanimity of spirit.” —The Village VoiceTable of Contents1. Democracy Matters Are Frightening in Our Time2. Nihilism In America3. The Deep Democratic Traditioni in America4. Forging New Jewish and Islamic Democratic Identities5. The Crisis of Christian Identity in America6. The Necessary Engagement with Youth Culture7. Putting On Our Democratic ArmorAcknowledgmentsIndex

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Book SynopsisEnergized and inspired by the 2008 elections, celebrated illustrator Maira Kalman traveled to Washington, D.C., launching a year-long investigation of American democracy and its workings. The result is an artist’s idiosyncratic vision of history and contemporary politics. Whether returning to America’s historical roots at the Lincoln archive and Jefferson’s Monticello, or taking the pulse of the present day at a town hall meeting in Vermont, an Army base in Kentucky, and the inner chambers of the Supreme Court, Kalman finds evidence of democracy at work all around us. Her route is always one of fascinating indirection, but one that captures and shares in hundreds of beautiful, colorful reasons why we  are proud to be Americans.

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Book SynopsisRegardless of how the presidency of Donald J. Trump ultimately concludes, a significant part of its legacy will relate to the First Amendment. The president has publicly attacked the institutional press and individual reporters, calling them the enemy of the people. He has proposed that flag burners be jailed and de-naturalized, blocked critics from his Twitter page, communicated hateful and derogatory ideas, and defended the speech of white nationalists. More than any other modern president, Trump has openly challenged fundamental First Amendment norms and principles relating to free speech and free press. These challenges have come at a time when the institutional press faces economic and other pressures that negatively affect their functions and legitimacy, political and other forms of polarization are on the rise, and protesters face diminished space and opportunities for exercising free speech rights. The First Amendment in the Trump Era catalogs and analyzes the various First Amendment conflicts that have occurred during the Trump presidency. It places these conflicts in historical context-as part of our current digitized and polarized era but also as part of a broader narrative concerning attacks on free speech and press. We must understand what is familiar in terms of the First Amendment concerns of the present era, but also what is distinctive about these concerns. The Trump Era has once again reminded us of the need for a free and independent press, the need to protect robust and sometimes caustic criticism of public officials, and the importance of protest and dissent to effective self-government.Trade Review"In The First Amendment in the Trump Era, Timothy Zick offers a compelling anddeeply disturbing analysis of how our nation's long-standing commitment to free andopen discourse has been seriously undermined by a President who viciously attacksthe press as "the enemy of the people" and who callously denigrates his critics as"crazy," "corrupt," and "dishonest." This book makes a truly important contribution toour understanding of the contemporary First Amendment." * Geoffrey R. Stone,, Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service Professor of Law, University of Chicago Law School, *"In a period characterized by the President's public declaration of a "war on the press,"the attempted subversion of truth, and the censorship of dissent, Tim Zick's book is amust read. The Trump Era forces us to think clearly and carefully about why we mustagain embrace and defend core First Amendment values and principles. Zick's bookshows how the lessons of the past can helpfully guide us through the unique FirstAmendment challenges we face today." * Nadine Strossen,, John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law, New York Law Schooland author of HATE: Why We Should Resist it With Free Speech, Not Censorship (2018), *"Professor Zick identifies the damage that can be done to a culture of free expressionby a general ignorance of, and disregard for, constitutional norms. He does so not byengaging in hyperbolic rhetoric or partisan rants, but by clearly and concisely placingcurrent First Amendment controversies in their proper legal and historical perspectives.This is a book for anyone who believes, as I do, that the American constitutional systemwas designed by geniuses so that it could survive even the rule of idiots." * Robert Corn-Revere,, First Amendment Attorney, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1. The Fragility and Necessity of a Free Press Chapter 2. Sedition and Democratic Dissent Chapter 3. The Anti-Orthodoxy Principle Chapter 4. Preserving the Public Forum Chapter 5. Why Hate Speech is (Mostly) Protected Speech Chapter 6. The Values of Dissent Index

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Book SynopsisThe United States of America has been the most powerful country in the world for over seventy years. The U.S. National Security Strategy declares, however, that the return of great power competition with Russia and China is the greatest threat to U.S. national security. Further, many analysts predict that America''s autocratic rivals will succeed in disrupting or displacing U.S. global leadership. Brilliant and engagingly written, The Return of Great Power Rivalry, Matthew Kroenig argues that this conventional wisdom is wrong. Drawing on an extraordinary range of historical evidence and the works of figures like Herodotus, Machiavelli, and Montesquieu-and cutting-edge social science research, Mattew Kroenig advances the riveting argument that democracies tend to excel in great power rivalries. He contends that democracies actually have unique economic, diplomatic, and military advantages in long-run geopolitical competitions. He considers autocratic advantages as well, but shows that these are more than outweighed by their vulnerabilities. Kroenig then shows these arguments through the seven most important cases of democratic-versus-autocratic rivalries throughout history, from the ancient world to the Cold War. Finally, he analyzes the new era of great power rivalry among the United States, Russia, and China through the lens of the democratic advantage argument. By advancing a hard-power argument for democracy, Kroenig demonstrates that despite its many problems, the U.S. is better positioned to maintain a global leadership role than either Russia or China. A vitally important book for anyone concerned about the future of global geopolitics, The Return of Great Power Rivalry provides both an innovative way of thinking about power in international politics and an optimistic assessment of the future of American global leadership.Trade ReviewThe breadth of Kroenig's historical case studies and the parsimony of his analyses help this book stand out, making it a must-read for understanding the current international environment. Essential. Upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals. * J. R. Clardie, Northwest Nazarene University, CHOICE *In Return of Great Power Rivalry, Matthew Kroenig, a rising star among the next generation of strategic thinkers, brilliantly counters the current political narrative of autocratic ascendancy and democratic decline. Drawing on historical examples of great power competition between autocracies and democracies from Ancient Greece to the Cold War, he highlights democracy's enduring, structural advantages. By underscoring the importance of strong political institutions, his reflections serve as a handbook for contemporary leaders on how to prevail in a new, and more complex, era of great power competition. * Fredrick Kempe, President and CEO, the Atlantic Council, and New York Times bestselling author of Berlin 1961: The Most Dangerous Place on Earth *Professor Kroenig makes a powerful and provocative case that the world's democracies, and especially the United States, enjoy deep and lasting advantages over their autocratic rivals. He brings to this investigation a rare combination of first-rate scholarship and a lively prose that all readers will find engaging and informative. An important work for our times. * Robert Kagan, Stephen & Barbara Friedman Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution, and New York Times bestselling author of The World America Made *In The Return of Great Power Rivalry, Professor Kroenig explains why democracies have prevailed over their autocratic rivals in the past and outlines how the United States and its democratic allies can better compete with the more sophisticated autocratic challenges we face today. This is an important book on the defining issue of our time with real implications for policymakers and scholars alike. * General James L. Jones Jr., UMSC (Ret.), Former National Security Advisor to US President Barack Obama *We already know that democracies are more humane and usually better governed than autocracies are. But despots like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping continue to claim that their regimes are better at delivering national security and greatness in the global arena. Matthew Kroenig confronts the autocrats' claims head-on and demolishes them. In remarkably accessible and delightful written text, he mines social science theory and two-and-a-half millennia of history to show that democracies are more powerful-not just fairer and better governed-than autocracies are. At a time when the global struggle between democracy and autocracy is reaching a critical new stage, this book promises to touch nerves and influence minds from Washington to Moscow to Beijing. Policy-relevant social science at its best! * M. Steven Fish, Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley and author of Democracy Derailed in Russia: The Failure of Open Politics *In this age of widespread pessimism about the future of democracy, this book makes a powerful argument: democracy is not only better for the people, but may have the edge against autocracies in the coming great power rivalry. It is an erudite, well-argued and uplifting book. * Daron Acemoglu,, Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-author of Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty *Table of ContentsAlso by This Author Preface Introduction PART I. Democracy Versus Autocracy Chapter 1. The Democratic Advantage in Theory Chapter 2. The Autocratic Advantage? PART II. The Democratic Advantage in History Chapter 3. The Democratic Advantage by the Numbers Chapter 4. Athens, Sparta, and Persia Chapter 5. The Roman Republic, Carthage, and Macedon Chapter 6. The Venetian Republic and its Rivals Chapter 7. The Dutch Republic and the Spanish Empire Chapter 8. Great Britain and France Chapter 9. The United Kingdom and Germany Chapter 10. The United States and the Soviet Union PART III. The Democratic Advantage Today Chapter 11. The Russian Federation Chapter 12. The People's Republic of China Chapter 13. The United States of America PART IV. The Democratic Advantage in the Future Chapter 14. Implications for American Leadership Bibliography

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Society for History in the Federal Government''s George Pendleton Prize for 2013The United States Senate has fallen on hard times. Once known as the greatest deliberative body in the world, it now has a reputation as a partisan, dysfunctional chamber. What happened to the house that forged American history''s great compromises?In this groundbreaking work, a distinguished journalist and an eminent historian provide an insider''s history of the United States Senate. Richard A. Baker, historian emeritus of the Senate, and the late Neil MacNeil, former chief congressional correspondent for Time magazine, integrate nearly a century of combined experience on Capitol Hill with deep research and state-of-the-art scholarship. They explore the Senate''s historical evolution with one eye on persistent structural pressures and the other on recent transformations. Here, for example, are the Senate''s struggles with the presidency--from George Washington''s first, disastrous visit to tTrade ReviewThere is much to admire in this single volume, such that the general reader will find their interest whetted while the specialist will be inspired to deepen their understanding of this unique institution. * William Sheward, Political Studies Review *This first-rate comprehensive study is likely to set the standard for historical scholarship on the US Senate. Chock-full of fascinating stores from insider's prespectives, The American Senate is entertaining and engaging. The American Senate is a must read for any serious historian or political scientist, yet still accessible to the general public. Highly recommended. * CHOICE *Whether discussing money and elections, campaign reform, the origins of the filibuster, the Senate's investigatory power or its role in ratifying treaties or debating the great issues of the day, the authors pack the narrative with wide-ranging information and anecdotes." * Kirkus Reviews *An excellent choice for history buffs and political scientists. * Library Journal *A multidimensional study of the history, traditions and culture of the United States Senate... Whether discussing money and elections, campaign reform, the origins of the filibuster, the Senate's investigatory power or its role in ratifying treaties or debating the great issues of the day, the authors pack the narrative with wide-ranging information and anecdotes. A useful, engaging primer for anyone wishing to understand the politics, precedent and procedures that have shaped the Senate. * Kirkus Reviews *The American Senate should be required reading for anyone new to the chamber: interns, staffers, even senators. There's unlikely to be another single volume quite as comprehensive anytime soon, a fact that can probably be attributed to the authors." * Roll Call *[A] thoroughly researched book by two veteran Senate observers . . . Baker has done a superb job of combining his deep knowledge of the Senate with that of McNeil, to complete it and illuminate the evolution of the upper chamber of Congress through the efforts of the more than 1,900 people who have served." * The Hill *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ; Preface ; Prologue: Entering the Contemporary Senate ; 1: Money and Politics: Electing U.S. Senators ; 2: The Collapse of Campaign Finance Reform ; 3: Dancing with Presidents: A Wary Embrace ; 4: Struggling for Primacy: From TR to FDR ; 5: Losing Ground to the Imperial Presidency ; 6: Living with the House of Representatives ; 7: The Center to Which Everyone Comes ; 8: Leadership Empowered: The Modern Era ; 9: The Senate Investigates ; 10: The Watchdogs ; 11: Debate, Deliberation, and Dispute ; 12: Dilatory Tactics ; 13: Reform and Reaction ; To the Future ; Notes ; Selected Bibliography ; Index

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisEarly Americans were suspicious of centralized authority and executive power. Casting away the yoke of England and its king, the founding fathers shared in this distrust as they set out to pen the Constitution. Weighing a need for consolidated leadership with a demand for states'' rights, they established a large federal republic with limited dominion over the states, leaving most of the governing responsibility with the former colonies. With this dual system of federalism, the national government held the powers of war, taxation, and commerce, and the ability to pass the laws necessary to uphold these functions. Although the federal role has grown substantially since then, states and local governments continue to perform most of the duties in civil and criminal law, business and professional licensing, the management of infrastructure and public services: roads, schools, libraries, sanitation, land use and development, and etc. Despite the critical roles of state and local governments, there is little awareness-or understanding-of the nature and operations of the federal system. This Very Short Introduction provides a concise overview of federalism, from its origins and evolution to the key events and constitutional decisions that have defined its framework. Although the primary focus is on the United States, other federal systems, including Brazil, Canada, India, Germany, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, and the EU, are addressed.Table of ContentsList of illustrations Preface 1: American federalism in comparative perspective 2: Federalism, American style 3: The evolution of federalism in law 4: What state and local governments do 5: Fiscal federalism 6: Advantages and disadvantages of federalism 7: Federalism in the world Conclusion: An American model for the world? References Index

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Book SynopsisWe live in a time of crises - economic turmoil, workplace disempowerment, unresponsive government, environmental degradation, social disintegration, and international rivalry. In The 99 Percent Economy, Paul S. Adler, a leading expert on business management, argues that these crises are destined to deepen unless we radically transform our economy. But despair is not an option, and Adler provides a compelling alternative: democratic socialism. He argues that to overcome these crises we need to assert democratic control over the management of both individual enterprises and the entire national economy. To show how that would work, he draws on a surprising source of inspiration: the strategic management processes of many of our largest corporations. In these companies, the strategy process promises to involve and empower workers and to ensure efficiency and innovation. In practice, this promise is rarely realized, but in principle, that process could be consolidated within enterprises andTrade ReviewThis is an important book on an issue crucial to organizational theorists of every stripe. Adler is dealing with fundamental issues about how best to structure and manage our organizations, and he has done so in a way that will provoke the kinds of conversations that our field and our world desperately need. * Mark S. Mizruchi, University of Michigan, Administrative Science Quarterly *What does "democratisation" mean in concrete terms? Some millennial socialists say everyone should be guaranteed a job; others want a universal basic income, a drastic reduction in the working week, or both. It also means promoting non-traditional forms of business organisation, including co-operatives, which give workers a decisive role in the day-to-day management of their company. Mr. Adler thinks through how such plans would function. Drawing on his expertise in management, he explains in detail how firms could be managed along socialist lines. * The Economist *From Bernie Sanders to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, candidates who call themselves socialists are winning more elections and wielding wider influence. Paul Adler's timely new book helps us imagine what a political economy, based on socialist ideas, might actually look like and how it might operate for the benefit of millions of Americans who are not well-served by our current system. The 99 Percent Economy is not just a compelling indictment of capitalism run amuck. Adler makes a clear and convincing case for economic planning, expanded public investment, and greater social ownership and democratic management of productive enterprises. His book will be an essential educational tool for activists in labor and on the left. * Steve Early, Former International Representative for the Communications Workers of America and author of Refinery Town: Big Oil, Big Money, and the Remaking of an American City *Lucidly written and powerfully argued. Rarely do we get insight into the opportunities a truly democratic socialist economy might offer from an expert who knows how decisions are really made in leading corporations and large institutions. A must read for anyone interested in the creation of a progressive future. * Gar Alperovitz, Author of America Beyond Capitalism and CoFounder of The Democracy Collaborative *Paul Adler asks whether society can be reorganized for the benefit of its majority, that is, help those regularly disempowered? His book, The 99 Percent Economy begins with a radical premise that the economy should serve the vast majority rather than the other way around. Adler asks us to engage in a discussion about a different future that can move humanity away from the abyss and in the direction of a socialism that is democratic, radical, and visionary. * Bill Fletcher, Jr., Former president of TransAfrica Forum; writer and labor activist *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Five crises 2. The capitalist roots of these crises 3. A growing tension 4. The promise and limits of reform 5. Managing our economy, democratically and effectively 6. A democratic socialist America 7 . Getting there References

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Book SynopsisThis book introduces readers to the concepts of political philosophy. It starts by explaining why the subject is important and how it tackles basic ethical questions such as ''how should we live together in society?'' It looks at political authority, the reasons why we need politics at all, the limitations of politics, and whether there are areas of life that shouldn''t be governed by politics. It explores the connections between political authority and justice, a constant theme in political philosophy, and the ways in which social justice can be used to regulate rather than destroy a market economy. David Miller discusses why nations are the natural units of government and whether the rise of multiculturalism and transnational co-operation will change this: will we ever see the formation of a world government?ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1. Why do we need political philosophy? ; 2. Political Authority ; 3. Democracy ; 4. Freedom and the Limits of Politics ; 5. Justice ; 6. Feminism and Multiculturalism ; 7. Nations, States, and Global Justice

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