Political campaigning and advertising Books

Book Synopsis'Understanding what is happening in our country is critical if we want to fix it and Robert Reich is an exceptional teacher.' - Senator Bernie SandersMillions of Americans have lost confidence in their political and economic system. After years of stagnant wages, volatile job markets, and an unwillingness by those in power to deal with profound threats such as climate change, there is a mounting sense that the system is fixed, serving only those select few with enough money to secure a controlling stake. In The System Robert B. Reich shows how wealth and power have interacted to install an elite oligarchy, eviscerate the middle class, and undermine democracy. Addressing himself Jamie Dimon, the powerful banker and chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, Reich exposes how those at the top, be they Democrats or Republicans, propagate myths about meritocracy, national competitiveness, corporate social responsibility, and the 'free market' to distract most Americans from their own accumulation of extraordinary wealth, and their power over the system. Instead of answering the call to civic duty, they have chosen to uphold self-serving policies that line their own pockets and benefit their bottom line. Reich's objective is not to foster cynicism, but rather to demystify the system so that American voters might instill fundamental change and demand that democracy works for the majority once again.Trade ReviewRobert Reich is one of the most important voices in America, fighting for an economy that works for all people and not just those at the top. Understanding what is happening in our country is critical if we want to fix it and Robert Reich is an exceptional teacher. -- Senator Bernie SandersRobert Reich is one our country's most insightful commentators on politics and economics. Both a diagnosis and a call to arms, The System shows how our economy and our democracy are rigged to work for the wealthy and well-connected. Change is possible - if we are willing to fight for it. -- Senator Elizabeth WarrenIn this book Robert Reich exposes the con job of America’s present manic hyper-capitalism. He exposes a ‘system’ that is defined less by free markets than by elite capture. He shatters the myths about rising tides and boats and slices of pie and whatever else those hackneyed people say, propelled by the insight that while money may not be a zero-sum situation, power is. -- Anand Giridharadas, author of Winners Take All

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"No one gets today's Washington like Ben Terris...THE BIG BREAK is the definitive accounting of 'how it works' in this ongoing post-Trump (pre-Trump?) maelstrom. I just imbibed this book." Mark Leibovich, author of This TownThe Big Break investigates how Washington works, and how different kinds of people try to make it work for them. Ben Terris presents an inside history of this crucial moment in Washington, reporting from exclusive parties, poker nights, fundraisers, secluded farms outside town and the halls of Congress; among the oddballs and opportunists and true believers. This book is about the people who see this moment as an opportunity to bet big-on their country or maybe just on themselves. It will take a close look at Washington's bold-faced names as they try to get their bearings on the post-Trump (and possibly pre-Trump) landscape. And it will introduce readers to the behind-the-scenes players - MAGA pilgrims and Resistance flame keepers and shapeshifting veterans - who believe they know what Washington, and America, must do if they're going to survive, or even thrive.Trump's arrival in Washington represented a big break in how the city operated. He surrounded himself with outsiders; power structures reorganized around those who knew him or his family and those who could flatter and influence his base. He changed the way the game was played, only it wasn't actually a game at all. When pro-Trump elements both inside and outside of government plotted to overturn his loss in the 2020 presidential election, the Capitol became a combat zone, then a military fortress. It was, to put it lightly, a destabilizing time. But how much did the Trump years really change Washington? Has Joe Biden's presidency heralded a return to normal, as many had hoped? What did 'normal' mean before Trump, and what do people think it means now? The Big Break will follow a cast of D.C. characters in search of answers to these questions. They are a diverse crew-a pollster with a gambling habit, an oil heiress with a big heart, a cowboy lobbyist, a Republican kingmaker who decided to love Trump and his right-hand man who decided he couldn't any longer. They all share at least one thing in common: They had seen their country go through a Big Break, and they'd come to get theirs.

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Book SynopsisIn politics, money is often the name of the game. Politicians enrich themselves while in office, spend campaign money to finance their re-election, and accept lucrative ''golden parachute'' jobs after leaving office. Money in Politics argues that these different forms of capital are part of a common system and should be analyzed in a single framework. The book advances a comparative theory that shows how self-enrichment, campaign spending, and golden parachute jobs are connected to each other. This theory explains when and how money enters politics, ultimately illuminating that a change in one form affects the other types and revealing the consequences this has for democracy. The book uses a wide range of evidence from countries around the world, including causally identified quantitative studies, qualitative cross-national comparisons, and original survey experiments. Enlightening and instructive, this book shows that we can only fully comprehend the role of money in politics when we Table of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Types of Money in Politics; 3. The System of Money in Politics; 4. The Connection between Self-Enrichment and Campaign Spending; 5. The Connection between Campaign Spending and Golden Parachute Jobs; 6. The System of Money in Politics in Comparative Perspective; 7. Consequences for Democracy; 8. Evolving the Conversation about Money in Politics.

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Book SynopsisIf you only read one book to understand how Democrats will, and should, pick a new nomineeand the stakes of the general electionread Picking Presidents,which explains how to judge if a Presidential candidate is worthy of sitting in the Oval Office.Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times columnist and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and authorCelebrated leadership expert and political scientist Gautam Mukunda provides a comprehensive, objective, and non-partisan method for answering the most important question in the world: is someone up to the job of president of the United States? In Picking Presidents, Gautam Mukunda sets his sightson presidential candidates, proposing an objective and tested method to assess whether they will succeed or fail if they win the White House. Combining political science, psychology, organizational behavior, and economics, Picking Presidents will enable every American to cast an informed vote. In his 2012 book Indispensable, which all but predicted the Trump presidency, Mukunda explained how both the very best and very worst leaders are unfilteredoutsiders who take power without the understanding or support of traditional elites. Picking Presidents provides deep analysis of filtered and unfiltered presidents alike, from failed haberdasher and skillful president Harry Truman, to the exceptionally well-qualifiedand ultimately reviledJames Buchanan; from Andrew Johnson, who set civil rights back by a century, to Theodore Roosevelt, who evaded party opposition to transform American society. Picking Presidents lays out a clear framework that anyone can use to judge a candidate and answer the all-important question: are they up to the job?Table of ContentsContents List of Tables and Figure Preface Acknowledgments 1. The Fateful Choice 2. Harry Truman and the System at Its Best 3. James Buchanan and the Collapse of the System 4. Unhappy in Their Own Way: Failed Unfiltered Presidents 5. Five Stars and a Bull Moose: The Triumph of Unfiltered Presidents 6. Assessing Filtered and Unfiltered Candidates Conclusion. Where Do We Go from Here? Appendix: Statistical Analysis, Case Selection, and Theoretical Concerns Notes Bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis The Sunday Times Number One BestsellerComplete with new afterword where she discusses the past eighteen months since President Donald Trump has been serving in office. ‘A compelling read’ - Financial Times ‘A sporadically absorbing, pleasingly vengeful and often darkly funny account of one woman’s bid for presidential history.’ Sunday Times ‘Her new book is more gossipy, it is meaner, more entertaining and more wrong-headed than anything she or her speechwriters have written before.’ Observer ‘What Happened is highly entertaining. It is spirited, well-written and informative.’ Guardian'In the past, for reasons I try to explain, I’ve often felt I had to be careful in public, like I was up on a wire without a net. Now I’m letting my guard down.' -

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Book SynopsisAn inspiring collection of original writing from world-leading 'green' voices on why contact with nature is vital for our mental, physical and social wellbeingAlready, concrete outweighs every tree, bush and shrub on Earth. Nature deprivation is a fast-growing epidemic, harming the health and happiness of hundreds of millions of people worldwide - especially vulnerable and marginalized groups. To combat this, Nature is a Human Right, founded by Ellen Miles in 2020, is working to make access to green space a recognized right for all, not a privilege. This book brings together a collection of engaging essays, interviews and exercises, curated by Ellen, from a selection of expert ambassadors and supporters (including authors, scientists, human rights experts, TED speakers, and climate activists). Through each contributor, we discover a new perspective on why contact with nature should be a protected human right, journeying through personal narratives on mental health, disability, racism, environmental inequality, creativity, and activism. This is a captivating collection of original writing and ideas that highlights the importance of nature, the threats of nature deprivation, and the work that must be done to make our future happier, healthier and more equal.

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Book SynopsisEllen Miles is an activist and author whose work centres on bringing nature to neighbourhoods. She runs Nature is a Human Right, the campaign for the United Nations to enshrine daily access to nature as a legal right for all, and Dream Green, a social enterprise that helps communities get guerrilla gardening. @OctaviaChill

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Book Synopsis'Fiercely funny, truly fascinating and inspiring . . . I was hooked from the first page.' - Mel Giedroyc'Warm, wise, witty and wet your pants hilarious' - Laura Bates, author of Everyday Sexism Jo Cheetham was a long way from home, studying and working as a nanny in London, when she saw news of an upcoming protest against the Page 3 pictorial in The Sun and decided to go along. Before she could talk herself out of it, Jo officially joined the No More Page 3 campaign team.Over the course of the next three years, Jo protested up and down the country, attended parliament and made an unlikely group of friends, ranging from sixteen to sixty, that would become her closest confidants and allies. Whether it was through an impromptu flash mob or a nerve-wracking group performance on the West End stage, Jo's world started to get a lot bigger.Hilarious, brilliantly warm and moving, Killjoy is a story of everyday people doing extraordinary things, the power of a grassroots campaign and ultimately what you can achieve when you shout a little bit louder.'Funny and inspiring' - Rachel Cooke, The Guardian, 'Non-fiction to look out for in 2023''Snappily written with humour and irreverence, it unpeels the insanity of our patriarchal society and why it can and must change. Order it now, is our advice.' - Stylist, 'Non-fiction books you can’t miss in 2023''A heroic and humorous account of the woman who found herself at the head of the No More Page 3 campaign, in a group of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.' - Independent, '19 debut authors set to make their mark this year'Trade Review'I want to shout about this brilliantly funny book from the rooftops! Fiercely funny, truly fascinating and inspiring and touching in equal measure, Killjoy is about the real-life story of a handful of 'small' female Davids taking on large male Goliaths. Life-affirming and brilliantly told, I was hooked from the first page . . . I loved it.' -- Mel Giedroyc A funny and inspiring account of one postgraduate student's life-changing decision to join the No More Page 3 campaign: a first book that couldn't be more up my strasse if it tried. -- Rachel Cooke * The Guardian, 'Non-fiction to look out for in 2023' *Funny frank and fearless, this is an inspiring read about grassroots feminist activism and how a group of determined women can change the world. Killjoy is just like its author: warm, wise, witty and wet your pants hilarious. Older activists will recognise the struggles and triumphs she describes with wry smiles and younger ones will find this book is like a pep talk from a supportive older sister telling them they can do it too! -- Laura Bates, author of Everyday SexismI can't even begin to explain to my daughter that we grew up with naked pictures of women with massive knockers everywhere we looked, as if that was perfectly normal. This funny, frank memoir is an amazing reminder of what women went through to stop it. -- Jenny Colgan, bestselling author of Meet Me at the Cupcake CaféFunny, warm and compelling, Jo Cheetham’s Killjoy is a hugely readable real-life story of friendship, solidarity and taking on the big guys even when everyone thinks you’re mad. A great choice for book clubs, not least as it’s about a group of friends who simply refused to give up. -- AJ Pearce, bestselling author of Dear Mrs BirdSnappily written with humour and irreverence, it unpeels the insanity of our patriarchal society and why it can and must change. Order it now, is our advice. * Stylist, 'Non-fiction books you can’t miss in 2023' *A heroic and humorous account of the woman who found herself at the head of the No More Page 3 campaign, in a group of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. * The Independent, 'Debut Authors Set to Make Their Mark This Year' *I adored this heroic and unexpectedly humorous account of how Cheetham, then a PhD student who had never considered herself political or even assertive, was moved to join the No More Page 3 campaign . . . Hers is a fabulously uplifting story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, which shows we all have the power to stand up for what we believe in, and bring about change. -- Caroline Sanderson, 'Editor's Choice', The BooksellerWonderful . . . Jo Cheetham charts her journey from shy graduate student, riddled with insecurities about her working-class roots, to fearless feminist campaigner . . . Funny, relatable and heart-warming. * New Statesman *

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Book SynopsisLarry Sabato, one of the leading experts in American politics, will bring together respected journalists and academics from across the political spectrum to examine every facet of the 2022 midterm election, and what its development and outcome will mean for the nation moving forward. In frank, accessible prose, each author offers insight that goes beyond the headlines, and dives into the underlying forces and shifts that drove the election from its earliest developments to its dramatic conclusion. Following Sabato’s introductory analysis, the contributors will provide a comprehensive review of everything in play during the 2022 midterms and look ahead to the 2024 presidential campaign. Table of ContentsPreface and acknowledgements 1. Another Confounding ElectionLarry J. Sabato2. Donald Trump and the Vanishing Red WaveAlan Abramowitz3. 2022 Primaries: Setting the Table for NovemberRhodes Cook4. Not Much But Good Enough: The GOP’s House TakeoverKyle Kondik5. The Senate: Sticking with the Devils They KnowJ. Miles Coleman6. Governors & State LegislaturesMary Frances McGowan7. The Red Ripple of Election DenialismCarah Ong Whaley8. A Year 0f High Turnout, New Rules, and Changes in How We Vote Grace Panetta9. How Overturning Roe versus Wade Hijacked the MidtermsNatalie Jackson10. Black Republicanism in the RedTheodore R. Johnson11. A Growing Political Force: Asian Americans in the 2022 ElectionEdward Berdan and Natalie Masuoka12. Mixed Signals from 2022’s Latino VoteMark Hugo Lopez13. Mainstream and Social Media in the Midterm ElectionsDiana Owen14. Emerging Campaign Finance Trends and Their Impact on the 2022 Midterm Election and BeyondMichael E. Toner and Karen E. Trainer15. So Why Wasn’t It a Wave?Sean TrendeAbout the Contributors

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Book SynopsisFear and loathing on the 2020 campaign trail...'26 February, White House Briefing RoomThe coronavirus feels like it is changing everything. Suddenly it's not just a public health emergency; it has the potential to upend this whole election...'In UnPresidented: Politics, pandemics and the race that Trumped all others, BBC North America Editor Jon Sopel presents a diary of an election like we've never quite seen before.Experience life as a reporter on the campaign trail, as the election heats up and a global pandemic slowly sweeps in. As American lives are lost at a devastating rate, the presidential race becomes a battle for the very soul of the nation - challenging not just the Trump presidency, but the very institutions of American democracy itself.In this highly personal account of reporting on America in 2020, Jon Sopel takes you behind the scenes of a White House in crisis and an election in turmoil, expertly laying bare the real story of the presidential campaign in a panoramic account of an election and a year like no other.

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Book Synopsis"Compelling." The Guardian "An insightful and inspiring history." BBC History Magazine "A tantalising revelatory book." The House "Brisk and illuminating." Times Literary Supplement "A damn good read." Morning Star "Wonderful." The Chartist Uncontrollable Women is a history of radical, reformist and revolutionary women between the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789 and the passing of the Great Reform Act in 1832. Very few of them are well-known today; some were unknown even in their own day. All of them contributed something to the world we now inhabit. At a time when women were supposed to leave politics to men they spoke, wrote, marched, organised, asked questions, challenged power structures, sometimes went to prison and even died. History has not usually been kind to them, and they have frequently been pushed into asides or footnotes, dismissed as secondary, or spoken over, for, or through by men and sometimes other women. In this book, they take centre stage in both their own stories and those of others, and in doing so bring different voices to the more familiar accounts of the period. These women and many others played a part in developing political ideas and freedoms as we know them today, and some fought battles which still remain to be won or raised questions that are still unresolved. These are their stories.Trade ReviewA compelling study [that] celebrates the working class pioneers of female emancipation who have been overlooked. -- Kathryn Hughes * The Guardian *An epic history of revolutionary, reforming, protesting actions by women spanning nearly half a century, vividly written by Nan Sloane. From wide and deep archive research, the author brings together for the first time facinating and extraordinary stories of women from both educated middle-class and humble working-class backgrounds, many of them unknown… Uncontrollable Women bristles with brave females: writing, protesting, marching, shouting, pushing and shoving, never keeping quiet and never giving up. -- Diane Atkinson * BBC History Magazine *Many of those brave women who risked their lives for our emancipation are largely forgotten now. Nan Sloane’s powerful book puts their remarkable stories centre stage. It is a tantalising revelatory book which gives voice to a procession of brave and fearless women who stood up for the principles of free speech, political rights and voting reform – risking their lives and their liberty in the process… Nan Sloane’s book at last gives these women a voice and recovers just some of their history. -- Angela Eagle MP * The House *Nan Sloane points out in this brisk and illuminating study of political activism between 1789 and the passing of the Act, no vote did not mean no voice. -- Jane Robinson * Times Literary Supplement *Some books sit neatly in the reference section, others are picked up and read intermittently — those which are found one day by the armchair and another, on the bedside table. This one deserves to be kept close at hand, not only because it’s a damn good read, but because it’s a reminder of how strong women can be rendered invisible and silent, unless we shine a spotlight and amplify their voices. -- Lynne Walsh * Morning Star *Wonderful … Nan Sloane’s Uncontrollable Women [is] a collection of insightful essays about female change-makers upon whose shoulders we stand today … We owe a debt of gratitude to Nan for her painstaking work putting this new book together and shining a spotlight on a group of women who have been largely ignored by the history books … The female ‘Radicals, Reformers & Revolutionaries’ who leap off the pages are women whose lives lay buried in disparate archives overshadowed by the loud men around them including many radical men whose cause they frequently espoused. -- Julie Ward * The Chartist *Uncontrollable Women brilliantly tells the history of women who fought for rights and against repression during the radical years in Britain of 1789-1832 … We owe all the uncontrollable women an enormous debt, first of all by not taking their achievements for granted, but most importantly, by continuing the fight for women’s rights. -- Ellen Graubart * Counterfire *Powerful and clear… Uncontrollable Women is a fine piece of history, the kind left out of the usual mainstream narrative. It widens our lens to look beyond the men involved in a wide popular movement, allowing us to see more deeply into the lives of everyday people who mattered, many of whom, not surprisingly, were women. -- Marissa Moss * New York Journal of Books *Expands and diversifies the suffragette story… We will look back on Uncontrollable Women to inform historical teaching hereafter, and it will be welcomed into political literature as a map of the path taken to get to where Britain is today. * Buzz Magazine *This book brings to life the legacy left by the radical women missing from history and restores them to their rightful place... Nan has written a powerful, illuminating book that will educate and inspire. But most importantly, she has introduced us to these hidden feminist figures from 200 years ago. We stand on their shoulders and it is only right that we honour them. * Ayesha Hazarika, broadcaster and journalist, from the foreword *Uncontrollable Women gives long overdue attention to an often overlooked period in women’s history beyond the immediacy of Mary Wollstonecraft, the author rights that wrong. The removal of the requirement for women to be considered feminist in the modern sense also allows access to women whose achievements are often overlooked. * Jacqui Turner, Associate Professor of Modern British History, University of Reading, UK *Table of ContentsIllustrations Foreword Acknowledgements Notes on Text Introduction Part One: Frantic ‘Midst the Democratic Storm 1: The Furies of Hell 2: A Wicked Little Democrat 3: Such Mighty Rage Part Two: More Turbulent than the Men 1: Determined Enemies to Good Order 2: The Most Abandoned of Their Sex 3: Persistent Amazons Part Three: Monsters in Female Form 1: Beyond Expression Horrible 2: This Infatuated Family 3: The She-Champion of Impiety Part Four: Women Without Masters 1: Very Clever, Awfully Revolutionary 2: Petticoat Government Epilogue: An Ignorant Woman Bibliography Notes Index

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Book SynopsisThis introductory text is a critical theory toolkit on how to how to make use of Karl Marxâs ideas in media, communication, and cultural studies.Karl Marxâs ideas remain of crucial relevance, and in this short, student-friendly book, leading expert Christian Fuchs introduces Marx to the reader by discussing 15 of his key concepts and showing how they matter for understanding the digital and communicative capitalism that shapes human life in twenty-first century society. Key concepts covered include: the dialectic, materialism, commodities, capital, capitalism, labour, surplus-value, the working class, alienation, means of communication, the general intellect, ideology, socialism, communism, and class struggles.Students taking courses in Media, Culture and Society; Communication Theory; Media Economics; Political Communication; and Cultural Studies will find Fuchs' concise introduction an essential guide to Marx.Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. The Dialectic 3. Materialism: The Base/Superstructure-Problem 4. Commodities, Capital, Capitalism 5. Labour and Surplus-Value 6. The Working Class 7. Alienation 8. Means of Communication and the General Intellect 9. Ideology 10. Socialism and Communism 11. Class Struggles

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Book SynopsisThis book analyses the multidimensional influence of COVID-19 on world politics, with a special focus on Euro-Asian relations, as well as changes in Europe caused by the pandemic. Expert international and interdisciplinary contributors analyse the measures undertaken to counter COVID, its use to justify increased governmental surveillance, the role of religion and regional institutions and the great power transformations, and the economic crisis that resulted from it. The driving question driving each chapter is to what extent COVID-19, and the reaction to it, transformed the world. The book will be of interest to scholars and students of International Relations, Foreign Policy Analysis, Public Diplomacy, World Politics and Security Studies. This publication will be also relevant for professionals in the corporate world, international business, state departments, political journalism, and think tanks.

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Book SynopsisAs America continues down its path of polarization, a celebrated journalist tells us the deep story of the red-state/blue-state divide In the wake of Trump’s presidency, Republican-led states have joined in an alarming assault on our democratic system. But the drift toward authoritarianism in red states has far deeper roots. We now have a country where tens of millions of people live under regimes that have spent years starving education and health care, empowering polluters, engaging in voter suppression, and neglecting their citizens’ well-being in the interest of cutting taxes for the wealthy. In States of Neglect, journalist William Kleinknecht surveys the landscape of neglect in states including Texas, Florida, and Arizona through the experiences of a rich cast of characters. He visits environmental dead zones in the Texas Gulf region. He investigates Arizona’s abandonment of public education and its corrupt charter school industry. He shows how Mississippi’s denuded health care system has made the Magnolia State the sickest in the nation. And he explains how North Carolina allows its people to sink into poverty while catering to the needs of corporations. As a postscript, Kleinknecht proposes how progressive states on either coast might join in a compact of “progressive federalism” that uses their superior economic and cultural resources to counter the influence of the far right.Trade ReviewPraise for States of Neglect:“Copious evidence, impassioned prose, and astute political analysis make this a must-read for progressive policymakers and activists.”—Publishers Weekly“An impassioned critique of Republican state officials for the harm they cause their most vulnerable residents.”—Kirkus Reviews“States of Neglect examines how a myriad of initiatives under Republican governors have negatively impacted citizens in red states and beyond.”—Library Journal

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Book SynopsisIn politics, there are no prizes for second place. Luckily, seasoned campaign professionals Mark Pack and Edward Maxfield have distilled successful electoral tactics from around the globe into 101 bite-sized lessons to help steer you on the course to power. Learn how to pass the three-seconds test, why you should actually embrace online trolls, and why you must never, ever, forget the law of the left nostril. Packed with advice and practical tips, this new, fully updated third edition of the classic political guide reveals the insider secrets and skills you need to make sure you're in pole position on election day.Trade Review"This is a wonderful guide to the practical business of running and winning election campaigns - a series of short essays full of good sense and great sayings to inspire, motivate and make you think. Mark and Ed have produced an entertaining and useful handbook for anyone interested in how democracy works - and now they've produced a new, improved edition that is even better." - John Rentoul, The Independent "This indispensable how-to guide - crammed as it is with inspirational quotes, practical wisdom and plenty of evidence of what works in the real world - won't necessarily guarantee you victory, but it could significantly increase your chances! A must-read (as well as a fun read) for all campaigners." - Tim Bale, professor of politics, Queen Mary University of London "This book is a must-read for any campaigner or politico regardless of experience. It is full of interesting anecdotes as well as the latest research and best practice from around the world. I have used its wisdom at every step of my career. If you're interested in winning elections this is the book for you!" - Layla Moran MP

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Book SynopsisThe greatest obstacle to sound economic policy is not entrenched special interests or rampant lobbying, but the popular misconceptions, irrational beliefs, and personal biases held by ordinary voters. This title looks at how people who vote under the influence of false beliefs ultimately end up with government that delivers lousy results.Trade Review"The best political book this year."--Nicholas D. Kristof, New York Times "Caplan thinks that democracy as it is now practiced cannot be salvaged, and his position is based on a simple observation: 'Democracy is a commons, not a market.'"--Louis Menand, The New Yorker "One of the two or three best books on public choice in the last twenty years."--Tyler Cowen, Marginal Revolution "Like a few recent best sellers--Freakonomics, The Tipping Point, The Wisdom of Crowds--The Myth of the Rational Voter unwraps economic theories and applies them to everyday life. Mr. Caplan's thesis, though, lacks any semblance of a compliment: The 'unwisdom of crowds' is closer to his point. He believes that the American public is biased against sensible, empirically proved economic policies about which nearly all economists agree. Voters, he says, are not just ignorant in the sense of having insufficient information. They actually hold wrong-headed and damaging beliefs about how the economy works."--Daniel Casse, The Wall Street Journal "[P]rovocative."--Elsa Dixler, New York Times Book Review "The Myth of the Rational Voter usefully extends the discussion [about democracy] by linking it with 'public choice' theory... Public choice theory faces a dilemma. A rational and self-interested person has no incentive to study political issues, as the chances of his or her determining the outcome are negligible. This has become known as 'rational ignorance'. Caplan maintains that the reality is much worse. He shows that voters are not just ignorant but systematically biased in favor of mistaken views."--Samuel Brittan, Financial Times "Caplan is right to detect a stubborn irrationality in ordinary voters and he correctly points out to his rational choice colleagues that their models are hopelessly unrealistic."--Martin Leet, Australian Review of Public Affairs "Caplan argues convincingly that irrational behaviour is pervasive among many of us today... Caplan's point, however, is that most voters are irrational. And that is worse than being ignorant... Their irrationality comes with a host of misconceptions that drive policy choices."--Fazil Mihlar, The Vancouver Sun "This engaging and provocative volume describes why democracy gives us far less than its promise. Countering existing theories of rationally ignorant voters, Caplan argues persuasively that voters are irrational, registering systematically biased beliefs--and consequently votes--against markets and other sound economy policy metrics... [T]his is a compelling book, offering readers a well-written and well-argued competing theory for why democracy fails and why we should limit what is done through the political process."--M. Steckbeck, Choice "[Caplan] argues that voters' own irrational biases, rather than flaws in the democratic process, compel voters to support policies that are not in their interest. While one may quibble with his specifics, the overall argument is convincing and applicable across a variety of fields...Forces the reader to take a second look at our nation's unshakable faith in the wisdom of the electorate."--Pio Szamel, Harvard Political Review "A brilliant and disturbing analysis of decision making by electorates that--[Caplan] documents--are perversely ignorant and woefully misinformed."--Neil Reynolds, The Globe and Mail "Scintillating... Outstanding."--Gene Epstein, Barron's Magazine "Kudos to Caplan for not wanting to leave well enough alone, but he could have given democracy more credit for diffusing--to the relatively benign act of voting--irrational and reactionary human behaviour that has in the past led to violence and war. In the meantime, it certainly would not hurt for more people to learn about the law of supply and demand."--Adam Fleisher, International Affairs "Caplan's book is a major accomplishment, which breaks new ground in our understanding of democratic politics and opens up a new research territory for further exploration."--Gene Callahan, Independent Review "[Persons] who do not grasp the lessons in Bryan's book cannot understand politics as well as persons who do grasp those lessons. Buy a copy. Read it. Ponder it. Learn."--Don Bourdreaux, Cafe HayekTable of ContentsACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix INTRODUCTION: The Paradox of Democracy 1 CHAPTER 1: Beyond the Miracle of Aggregation 5 CHAPTER 2: Systematically Biased Beliefs about Economics 23 CHAPTER 3: Evidence from the Survey of Americans and Economists on the Economy 50 CHAPTER 4: Classical Public Choice and the Failure of Rational Ignorance 94 CHAPTER 5: Rational Irrationality 114 CHAPTER 6: From Irrationality to Policy 142 CHAPTER 7: Irrationality and the Supply Side of Politics 166 CHAPTER 8: "Market Fundamentalism" versus the Religion of Democracy 182 CONCLUSION: In Praise of the Study of Folly 205 NOTES 211 REFERENCES 237 INDEX 267

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Book SynopsisSoft power' is an oft-used term and commands an instinctive understanding among journalists and casual observers, who mostly interpret it as diplomatic' or somehow persuasive'. Hard power' is seen, by contrast, as something more tangible and usually military. But this is a superficial appreciation of a more subtle concept - and one key to Britain''s future on the international stage. Britain's Persuaders is a deep exploration of this phenomenon, using new research into the instruments of soft power evident in British society and most relevant to the 2020s. Some, like the British Council or the BBC World Service, are explicitly intended to generate soft power in accordance with governmental intentions; but rather more, like the entertainment industries, sport, professional regulatory bodies, hospitality industries or education sectors have more penetrating soft power effects even as they pursue their own independent or commercial rationales.This book conducts an up-to-date audit'Trade ReviewSoft power is one of those phrases often heard but rarely understood. In this thoughtful and original book, Clarke and Ramscar subject the concept to welcome scrutiny, through a strategic lens. Their findings should be cause for optimism. If harnessed correctly, British soft power can give the country a unique advantage in a more competitive age. * John Bew, Professor of History and Foreign Policy at King’s College London and advisor to the Prime Minister *For all the talk of aircraft carriers and defence spending it is surely soft power that will define the success or failure of that elusive concept “Global Britain”. This timely study explores the many elements of Britain’s influence and underscores a truism often forgotten; national power begins with dynamism and integrity at home. * Jonathan Marcus, Former Defence & Diplomatic Correspondent, BBC News *A beautifully written and intellectually bracing account of Britain’s soft power. Many studies understand the concept of soft power in terms of assets. Clarke and Ramscar see soft power as ‘power magnetism’ and analyse it in terms of the purpose it is designed to serve. Rather than a dry balance sheet approach, the authors look at what British people actually do that is attractive. The book is replete with examples and offers a richly nuanced account of how soft power works and the problems governments have in using it to serve policy goals. Its prescriptions, from harnessing the creative potential of all the UK’s region, to having the courage and commitment to exhibit British values and foster professional integrity, are timely and worthy. The authors are optimistic about the future for Britain’s soft power. I will be too if policymakers read and digest the important insights of this excellent volume. * Professor Jamie Gaskarth, The Open University, UK *In the turbulent times of the 21st Century Britain faces new challenges, and questions about its role in the world. This study of Britain's power updates our understanding of Britain's position in the world, and how shifting power structures present new opportunities and challenges for a variety of actors, both foreign and domestic, in the future of Britain and in shaping Britain's future. * Eliot Higgins, Founder, Bellingcat. *A timely reminder that Britain possesses an abundance of soft power, and a refreshing attempt to define it. The authors show us that such power is hard to acquire and impossible to direct, but that it can be nurtured and expanded over time - a vital mission for the UK after Brexit. This is important reading for all who want to see their country remain one of the most influential in the world. * Lord Hague of Richmond, former Foreign Secretary *This book is a guide for policy makers if they want the UK to be a persuader on a global stage. * The House Magazine *[A] comprehensive survey ... deft, thorough and challenging. * International Affairs *Britain’s Persuaders combines a penetrating analysis of why so many aspects of British society have exercised such a strong attractive power in other countries with sage advice on what needs to be done to preserve this precious asset. Essential reading for all who care about making the most of Britain’s influence in the world. * Lord Peter Ricketts *Clarke and Ramscar have provided a valuable service with this important new book. In giving a comprehensive and practical account of Britain’s unique balance of soft power assets, they have explained how and why the UK enjoys an outsized level of global influence, consistently managing to ‘punch above its weight’ on the world stage. Maintaining a practical focus, they have delivered a must-read for the British diplomats and policy makers charged with navigating the current geopolitical context, which is beset by uncertainty. Their book demonstrates the importance of putting soft power at the heart of British foreign policy strategy and offers guidance on how to do so. * Jonathan McClory, Partner at Sanctuary Counsel and creator of the Soft Power 30 *Michael Clarke and Helen Ramscar dissect the complexities of soft power with their customary clarity and insight. They makes the vital point that power is not a commodity it is a relationship and that, in today’s world, mere connection is not enough. They provide a valuable blueprint for the development of the U.K’s soft power in the post Brexit world building on this country’s reputation for essential honesty and basic integrity. * Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts CBE *Table of ContentsPreface List of abbreviations and terms 1.Introduction Part One: Thinking about power 2.Power in world politics 3.Persuasive power: Hard, soft, and smart Part Two: Britain’s persuaders 4.The Convenors: Bringing interests together 5.The Officials: Speaking softly 6.Researchers and innovators: Shaping the global stage 7.Leaders and regulators: Setting the standards 8.Cosmopolitans and diasporas: Reflecting global cultures 9.Educators: Pursuing truthful minds - and truth 10.Creatives: Opening new ideas 11.Entertainers: Feeding a human need 12.Stars and bloggers: Embracing the anarchic Part Three: Soft power in practice 13.Britain’s soft power realities 14.Conditions for soft power success Appendix 1: Twinned Cities Appendix 2: Statistics Notes Select Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThis book connects the work of US private foundations, the US government, and Brazilian intellectuals to explore how they worked collaboratively to address racial disparities in Brazil during the Cold War. It reveals not only how anti-racism was promoted during this period, shaping the political and academic agenda, but also the importance of American foundations, especially the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations, in the process. Drawing on a vast array of archival and published sources from Brazil, the United States, and around the world, the book investigates the making of transnational connections and networks that sought to respond to the race problem, seen as an increasingly dangerous threat to the liberal international order. This book is especially relevant to the areas of Race Studies, Social Sciences, Latin-American Studies, Political Science and History, particularly the History of Sociology and Anthropology, as well as to studies about the role of American fou

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Book SynopsisThe 2022 midterms marked a transformative moment in American politics, as the combined influence of legacy media and social platforms reached new heights. Traditional outlets like television news and print journalism set the stage, while a vast digital ecosystemâspanning Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and moreâenabled campaigns to amplify messages on issues like abortion rights, the economy, and immigration. As these platforms shaped the voter experience in a fragmented and often-polarized media environment, campaigns and citizens harnessed their power to reach diverse audiences and build momentum across both established and emerging channels.This book offers a compelling, scholarly exploration of these dynamics, revealing how communication across traditional and digital media shaped an election forecasted as a Republican âœred waveâ but instead delivered unexpected, narrower results. Through detailed analyses, data-driven research, and case studies from high-profile races, this

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe 2016 elections called into question the accuracy of public opinion polling while tapping into new streams of public opinion more widely. The third edition of this well-established text addresses these questions and adds new perspectives to its authoritative line-up. The hallmark of this book is making cutting-edge research accessible and understandable to students and general readers. Here we see a variety of disciplinary approaches to public opinion reflected including psychology, economics, sociology, and biology in addition to political science. An emphasis on race, gender, and new media puts the elections of 2016 into context and prepares students to look ahead to 2020 and beyond.New to the third edition: Includes 2016 election results and their implications for public opinion polling going forward. Three new chapters have been added on racializing politics, worldview politics, and the modern information environment. New authors include Shanto IyeTrade ReviewPraise for Prior Editions:"Berinsky has brought together a world-class group of scholars working on cutting edge puzzles in the causes and consequences of public opinion. The book is an excellent resource for students, containing foundational insights about measurement and research design, electoral dynamics, and campaign media strategy. The largest contribution of this volume, however, may be the treasure trove of ideas for future research on the impact of group attitudes and identities in structuring our politics."-- Nicholas A. Valentino, University of Michigan"Berinsky’s masterful structuring of the book will allow it to be used as either a main text or a supplementary reader in a wide variety of courses. With just the right mix of analytical depth and topical breadth, this text will provide a solid grounding in six decades of public opinion research while also engaging and exciting students with its timely essays on pioneering new developments in the field." -- Matthew Jacobsmeier, West Virginia University"In the latest edition of Berinsky’s New Directions in Public Opinion, leading scholars of public opinion have written engaging chapters that survey recent research. Berinsky’s volume continues to be the best overview of the topic, perfect for students who want to learn about new developments."-- Gabriel Lenz, University of California-BerkeleyTable of ContentsPart I: The Meaning and Measurement of Public Opinion 1. The Practice of Survey Research: Changes and Challenges 2. Citizen Competence and Democratic Governance Part II: Foundations of Political Preferences 3. Ideology and Public Opinion 4. Affective Polarization or Hostility across the Party Divide: An Overview 5. Racial Attitudes and American Politics 6. Race, Ethnicity, and Public Opinion 7. Categorical Politics in Action: Gender and the 2016 Presidential Election 8. Worldview Politics 9. The Emotional Foundations of Democratic Citizenship 10. No Longer "Beyond our Scope": The Biological and Non-Conscious Underpinnings of Public Opinion Part III: The Public and Society 11. The “Daily Them”: Hybridity, Political Polarization and Presidential Leadership in a Digital Media Age 12. How People Learn About Politics: Navigating the Information Environment 13. Campaigns and Elections 14. Ambivalence in American Public Opinion about Immigration 15. Public Opinion and Public Policy Conclusion: Assessing Continuity and Change

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Book SynopsisIn June 2016, the United Kingdom shocked the world by voting to leave the European Union. As this book reveals, the historic vote for Brexit marked the culmination of trends in domestic politics and in the UK''s relationship with the EU that have been building over many years. Drawing on a wealth of survey evidence collected over more than ten years, this book explains why most people decided to ignore much of the national and international community and vote for Brexit. Drawing on past research on voting in major referendums in Europe and elsewhere, a team of leading academic experts analyse changes in the UK''s party system that were catalysts for the referendum vote, including the rise of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), the dynamics of public opinion during an unforgettable and divisive referendum campaign, the factors that influenced how people voted and the likely economic and political impact of this historic decision.Trade Review'It would be hard to come up with a better line-up of analysts to dig into both the long- and short-term drivers of Britain's decision to leave the EU. Whether you're a Leaver or a Remainer, the vote for Brexit needs explaining - and this is just the book to do it.' Tim Bale, Queen Mary University of London and author of The Conservative Party from Thatcher to Cameron'Do not read Brexit - unless you want truth rather than propaganda, objectivity rather than bias and evidence rather than prejudice. Harold D. Clarke, Matthew Goodwin and Paul F. Whiteley have written a book that will still be standing when the post-truth claims of those on both sides of the referendum have rightly crumbled to dust.' Peter Kellner, former President of YouGov'Clarke, Goodwin and Whiteley have written what is sure to be a standard reference on Brexit. A wonderfully written history of the rise of the UKIP and the Brexit referendum lead to a diverse array of empirical analyses: a survey of UKIP members, longitudinal national surveys and pre-post referendum surveys. Instead of simple explanations, they show the variety of diverse factors that produced the final referendum outcome and discuss the implications for British politics going forward.' Russell J. Dalton, University of California, Irvine'An empirically rich and insightful analysis of the dynamics of the Brexit vote. Essential reading for understanding the social and political forces underlying one of the most important and consequential electoral decisions of our times.' Lawrence LeDuc, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto'Brexit: Why Britain Voted to Leave the European Union isn't a book of opinions about why the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union but a close look at what the statistics tell us. It's an … informative read.' Sue Magee, The Bookbag (www.thebookbag.co.uk)'The British public does not have a settled view on Europe. … The authors conclude that the British are not unusually racist among Europeans … The British appear easily swayed.' Danny Dorling, The Times Higher EducationTable of Contents1. Brexit introduced; 2. Campaign prologue; 3. Into battle; 4. Attitudes to Brexit over time; 5. The people's army; 6. The rise of UKIP; 7. Voting to leave; 8. The consequences of Brexit; 9. Beyond Brexit.

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Book SynopsisReveals how presidents deploy a rhetoric that attempts to attract many racial and ethnic groups, but ultimately directs itself to an archtypal white, Middle-American swing voter.Despite major advancements in civil rights in the United States since the 1960s, racial inequality continues to persist in American society. While it may appear that presidents do not address the topic of race, it lurks in the background of presidential political speech across a range of issues, including welfare, crime, and American identity. Using a thorough approach that places textual analysis in a historical context, One America? asks what presidents say about race, how often they say it, and to whom they say it. Nathan Angelo demonstrates how presidents attempt to use rhetoric to compose a message that will resonate with the many groups that comprise the modern party system, but ultimately those alliances cause presidents to direct most of their speeches about race to an archetypical white, Middle-American swing voter, thereby restricting the issues and solutions that they discuss. While the American demographic profile is changing, rhetoric that links American identity with racially coded concepts and appeals to white voters'' racial resentments has become ubiquitous. Angelo warns us about the possible repercussions of such tactics, noting that, while they may allow presidents to craft winning coalitions, their use continues to legitimate a system that ignores racial inequality.

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Book SynopsisBringing together a host of distinguished scholars, Michael Nelson′s The Elections of 2016 reliably delivers a nuanced analysis of yet another momentous cycle of political contests. No other single volume can expose your students to the depth of analysis and expertise in this title. Whether discussing particular races or taking a broader look at the national trends, these contributors captivate students with engaging stories and political drama, while weaving in important scholarship and expert analysis. Available mere months after the election, each chapter, written specifically for this volume, offers readers historical perspective as well as a look forward at the implications for the American political system.Trade Review"The strength is the authors’ ability to integrate political science research into readable essays that are accessible to undergraduates. Moreover, the articles—and the book—are brief, which is a virtue in an undergraduate class, and all the essays are quite good. I have assigned this book every year in my course on the presidency, and with good reason—it is consistently the best one available on this topic." -- Matthew Dickinson"Past editions of Mike Nelson’s elections series have been excellent in the immediate aftermath of the presidential election. They effectively capture the events of the campaigns and the circumstances leading up to the campaigns." -- William FieldTable of ContentsPreface The Setting: Broadening the Presidential Talent Pool---for Better and Worse - Michael Nelson The Nominations: The Road to a Much-Disliked General Election - William G. Mayer The Election: The Allure of the Outsider - Marc J. Hetherington Voting Behavior: Continuity and Confusion in the Electorate - Nicole E. Mellow The Media: Covering Donald Trump - Marjorie Randon Hershey Campaign Finance: Where Big Money Mattered and Where It Didn’t - Marian Currinder Congress: Nationalized, Polarized, and Partisan - Gary C. Jacobson The Presidency: Donald Trump and the Question of Fitness - Paul J. Quirk The Meaning of the 2016 Election: The President as Minority Leader - Andrew Rudalevige

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Book Synopsis'Funny and well observed, this timely novel explores the isolation of new motherhood O'Keeffe examines themes of class, race, privilege and gender with a deft touch which will speak loudly to a certain generation. I loved this book.' CLOVER STROUD, AUTHOR OF MY WILD AND SLEEPLESS NIGHTS'A warm-hearted and entertaining debut' HANNAH BECKERMAN, OBSERVER'A poignant tale of modern family life' WOMAN & HOME'On the Up is a gem of a novel that holds up a mirror to the way we live now.' RED'Funny and compassionate' NEW STATESMAN'Funny and real, this is a blast of fresh air.' FABULOUS'An uplifting debut.' HELLO'I love the way this book makes the domestic political, and vice versa' POLLY SAMSON'An intimate exploration of womanhood and the idea of home and belonging. Funny, melancholic, and full of warmth' XIAOLU GUO '[Alice writes] really well about the frustrations of not having much money in a culture that is geared towards those that have it all. It's not a topic we see a lot of in contemporary fiction and I found it very refreshing to see it tackled here.' LAURA BARNETT author of The Versions of Us'I love this book. Funny, heart-felt and poignant. It reflects perfectly the experiences of a generation that doesn't ever seem to have as much time, or money, as our parents had.' TOBIAS JONES'an uplifting book about persevering through the tough times ... an amazing debut.' YAHOOBy reading Style magazine, I was training myself not to want things. It was going quite well. I had already found that I did not want a pair of Yves Saint Laurent mules, a chandelier made from plastic antlers, or a diamond-encrusted necklace in the shape of a pineapple. I was still working on not wanting a fitted farmhouse kitchen in warm wood. Sylvia lives in a flat on a council estate with her not-quite-husband Obe and their two young children. She dreams of buying a house on a leafy street like the one she grew up in. If she closes her eyes, she can see it all so clearly: the stripped floorboards, the wisteria growing around the door... It's not ideal that she's about to be made redundant, or that Obe, a playworker, is never going to earn more than the minimum wage. As sleep deprivation sets in, and the RnB downstairs gets ever louder, Sylvia's life starts to unravel.But when the estate is earmarked for redevelopment, the threat to her community gives Sylvia a renewed sense of purpose. With a bit of help from her activist sister, and her film-maker friend Frankie, she's ready to take a stand for what she believes in.Trade ReviewOn the Up is a gem of a novel that holds up a mirror to the way we live now. - RedAlice O'Keeffe's funny and compassionate debut novel shows a deep understanding of contemporary urban life, and covers themes of dependence, parenthood, post-natal depression, social housing and the wealth divide. - New Statesman'A warm-hearted and entertaining debut' - Observer'An intimate exploration of womanhood and the idea of home and belonging. Funny, melancholic, and full of warmth''A poignant tale of modern family life' - Woman & HomeFunny and real, this is a blast of fresh air. - FABULOUSAn uplifting debut. - HELLOI love the way this book makes the domestic political, and vice versa

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Book SynopsisTHE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!Michael C. Bender, senior White House reporter for the Wall Street Journal, presents a deeply reported account of the 2020 presidential campaign that details how Donald J. Trump became the first incumbent in three decades to lose reelection-and the only one whose defeat culminated in a violent insurrection. Beginning with President Trump's first impeachment and ending with his second, FRANKLY, WE DID WIN THIS ELECTION chronicles the inside-the-room deliberations between Trump and his campaign team as they opened 2020 with a sleek political operation built to harness a surge of momentum from a bullish economy, a unified Republican Party, and a string of domestic and foreign policy successes-only to watch everything unravel when fortunes suddenly turned.With first-rate sourcing cultivated from five years of covering Trump in the White House and both of his campaigns, Bender brings readers inside the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One, and into the front row of the movement's signature mega-rallies for the story of an epic election-year convergence of COVID, economic collapse, and civil rights upheaval-and an unorthodox president's attempt to battle it all. Fresh interviews with Trump, key campaign advisers, and senior administration officials are paired with an exclusive collection of internal campaign memos, emails, and text messages for scores of never-before-reported details about the campaign. FRANKLY, WE DID WIN THIS ELECTION is the inside story of how Trump lost, and the definitive account of his final year in office that draws a straight line from the president's repeated insistence that he would never lose to the deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol that imperiled one of his most loyal lieutenants-his own vice president.

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Book SynopsisNational Identity Identity and Partisan Polarization examines how national identity has become a central issue in political and social life across the world. Questions of identity--who should be counted as a true member of a society and who deserves assistance from the government--have displaced other social and economic issues across nations in many countries. This study considers the role of identity theoretically and in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, Poland, Israel, and Taiwan. Identity varies over time and over countries. Some such as Sweden have a more inclusive sense of identity--one does not need to be born in the country or have ancestry to be considered a true Swede. Other countries, such as Austria, France, Hungary, Poland, Israel, and Taiwan, have a more exclusive notion of identity--where one was born and a common heritage (race, religion, ethnicity) are seen as essential for seeing others as true members of society. OutsidTrade ReviewThere is no doubt this is a hugely important book. In the current era, there is an urgent need to understand better why a feeling of national identity seems such a powerful attitude. This volume brings everything together to arrive at this understanding. It offers the accumulation of a lifetime of profound scholarly work. The combination of historical evidence and a profound knowledge of data and statistical analysis is more than impressive. This book brings also a powerful moral message: it demonstrates how important education, and the universal access to education are. The evidence, assembled in this volume is just overwhelming and conclusive; and it sheds new light on current debates. Uslaner shows in this volume what political science can do, based on rigorous methods, and how this work can lead to a more just society. Maybe that is the most important contribution political science has to offer. * Marc Hooghe, University of Leuven (Belgium) *This volume is an important book on an important topic. Employing data from ten widely different cultures, it nails down the significance of national identity throughout the globe. Besides political scientists, this book should also be of great interest to sociologists and social psychologists. * Thomas F. Pettigrew, University of California, Santa Cruz *In National Identity and Partisan Polarization, Uslaner presents an array of empirical data showing how the partisan divisions in modern democracies have shifted from economic issues to questions of national identity, and how democracies differ in their willingness to treat diverse populations inclusively. This book is critical in understanding the nature of today's politics, from a top scholar in the field. * Francis Fukuyama, Stanford University *At a time when nationalistic political parties are experiencing an upsurge in many countries, this is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the meanings and variations among national identities. I am especially impressed with the book's fair and balanced treatment as well as the extensive research that underlies this important comparative inquiry. * Robert Wuthnow, Princeton University *This is an excellent book, providing a fascinating account of some of the most important questions of our time. Uslaner, a leading social capital theorist, scrutinizes the increasing political significance of national identity. * Nils Holtug, University of Copenhagen *This is a singular study of inflamed politics. It is exceptional in scope, covering ten counties in all, drawing on a massive number of public opinion surveys and voting studies. And it floodlights a climactic dimension of contemporary political polarization—the electoral battle between political parties committed to opposing conceptions of national identity. * Paul Sniderman, Stanford University *The relationship between national identity and politics is one of the most pressing issues in current politics. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the current political situation in Western countries. * Bo Rothstein, University of Gothenburg *Understanding the interplay between national identity and political polarisation is a central issue of our age, and Eric Uslaner handles it with depth and subtlety. Ranging across ten countries, this book brings together a rich understanding of history and a deep dive into the data. If you've ever wondered why nations have different answers to the question 'who is a true member of our society?', then this book is a must-read. * Andrew Leigh, Parliament of Australia *If you want to understand why politics has become increasingly and dangerously polarized, Ric Uslaner's new book provides important insights. As Uslaner explains, people with an "exclusive" national identity often perceive grave threats from "outsiders," which has unleashed challenging political forces. Donald Trump is one manifestation of national identity politics, but there are many others around the world. Uslaner makes clear that national identity and perceived threats to it play a critical role in our current predicament. That not every country's politics has been as consumed by tribalism provides some hope for better management of these forces. * David Madland, Center for American Progress, and author of Re-Union *Eric Uslaner did it again. One of the most prolific political scientists of our generation, has deciphered the link between national identity and political polarization in a wide-ranging study that includes ten different countries. Beyond being a gifted scholar, Uslaner has earned a reputation for his phenomenal writing ability, which he demonstrates in the book. Like its predecessors, this book will soon become one of the pillars of contemporary comparative political research. * Ami Pedahzur, The University of Texas at Austin *This book creatively explores the sources of political polarization across ten countries and over various time periods. It is a fine example of scholarship that zeroes in on the effects of diversifying societies on political outcomes. Based on a wealth of data sources and via sophisticated data analysis this book reveals that the determinants of polarization are found in the type of national identity electorates possess, rather than in the countries' institutional variation as oftentimes claimed. Guided by the idea as to who counts as a 'true member of society,' the book powerfully demonstrates the importance of being moored to a sense of belonging, community, and identity in shaping people's political choices. * Markus M. L. Crepaz, University of Georgia *At a time when researchers talk about a dispersed identity when borders are disappearing, and citizens try to belong to many, often difficult to define, places, Eric M. Uslaner's book National Identity and Partisan Polarization is indispensable reading. It shows the processes of redefining national identities and using political identities in political communication. Comparing the indicated approaches in different countries increases the book's value, showing the role of specific factors. * Agnieszka Turska-Kawa, University of Silesia in Katowice *Table of ContentsPreface Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: The United States Chapter 3: The United Kingdom Chapter 4: France Chapter 5: Germany and Austria Chapter 6: Sweden Chapter 7: Central and Eastern Europe Chapter 8: Israel and Taiwan Chapter 9: Deservingness Chapter 10: Reprise References Index

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Book SynopsisIn 2011, the international community watched as a shockingly unlikely community of citizens toppled three of the world''s most entrenched dictators: Ben Ali in Tunisia, Mubarak in Egypt, and Qaddafi in Libya. This movement of cascading democratization, commonly known as the Arab Spring, was planned and executed not by political parties, but by students, young entrepreneurs, and the rising urban middle class. International experts and the popular press have pointed to the near-identical reliance on digital media in all three movements, arguing that these authoritarian regimes were in essence defeated by the Internet. Is that true? Should Mubarak blame Twitter for his sudden fall from power? Did digital media cause the Arab Spring? In Democracy''s Fourth Wave?, Philip N. Howard and Muzammil M. Hussain examine the complex role of the Internet, mobile phones, and social networking applications in the Arab Spring. Examining digital media access, level of grievance, and levels of protest forTrade ReviewDemocracy's Fourth Wave? guides readers through the avalanche of factors that meshed with digital media to produce the Arab Spring. The authors subtly adapt traditional methodologies to decode mysteries of complex causal effects. In doing so, their book brings clarity and insight to the conundrums of new technologies as factors in regime fragility and protest success. * Monroe E. Price, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania *This unprecedented multidisciplinary approach to the examination of the Arab Spring situates itself in digital revolutions and political transformations. I highly recommend it for students, activists, and policy makers seeking to understand how modern communication technologies are driving the Fourth Wave of Democracy in the Arab world. * Imad Salamey, Associate Professor of Political Science, Lebanese American University *This book represents the first serious effort to transcend the polarized debate between cyber-utopians and tech-skeptics regarding digital media's role in the 2011 Arab Uprisings. Carefully argued and documented, it is of landmark importance and should be required reading for all those who seek to understand the interface of technology and political change and the future of democratization. * Peter Mandaville, George Mason University, author of Global Political Islam *Philip N. Howard and Muzammil M. Hussain's study implies that... digital media played a much longer term role in creating favorable conditions for uprisings, helped to publicize key igniting events, and then facilitated those uprisings and their diffusion; but digital media did not do this alone or as suddenly as some observers have claimed... There are a number of other unique contributions, but there is insufficient space to review them all. Overall, I predict that future research will look kindly to the authors' key findings, particularly the book's central claim that digital media were one essential ingredient in larger casual recipes for revolution and democratization. * Political Science Quarterly *Table of ContentsList of Tables ; List of Figures ; Acknowledgements ; Dedication ; Introduction ; Chapter 1: Digital Media and the Arab Spring ; Chapter 2: The Recent History of Digital Media and Dissent ; Chapter 3: Information Infrastructure and the Organization of Protest ; Chapter 4: Authoritarian Responses and Consequences ; Chapter 5: Al Jazeera, Social Media, and Digital Journalism ; Conclusion: Digital Media and the Rhythms of Social Change ; References ; Endnotes ; Index

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Book SynopsisThis analysis of the 1992 US presidential campaign looks at how citizens use information in the media to make their voting decisions and how politicians and the media interact to shape that information.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisFrom the nation’s leading expert, an indispensable analysis of key threats to the integrity of the 2020 American presidential electionTrade Review“A prescient book.”—Adam Liptak, New York Times“Extremely timely...There are a lot of specific problems and I think [Hasen’s] got a handle on what those issues are and how to stay ahead of them.”—Pete Buttigieg, The Guardian [Interview]“There is no better work describing the astonishing attacks on the most basic element of our democracy—voting—nor a more hopeful account of the changes that could fix it. If there is a plan to establish democracy in America, this book is a central chapter.”—Lawrence Lessig, author of They Don’t Represent Us“Hasen’s informative and important book makes a compelling case for long-term, systemic reform of our elections."—Trevor Potter, Founder and President of the Campaign Legal Center"Voters losing faith in the integrity of elections is one of the greatest risks any democracy faces. Rick Hasen chronicles why that risk is increasing in the United States and what to do about it before it’s too late."—Richard H. Pildes, author of The Law of Democracy"Richard Hasen’s new book is well named, because unless we pay close attention and act fast, an election meltdown may be exactly what we get in 2020. If you want to see honest, fair elections in 2020 and beyond, you must read this book—and then act."—Larry J. Sabato, Director, University of Virginia Center for Politics

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Book SynopsisHow popular democracy has paradoxically eroded trust in political systems worldwide, and how to restore confidence in democratic politics Democracies across the world are adopting reforms to bring politics closer to the people. Parties have turned to primaries and local caucuses to select candidates. Ballot initiatives and referenda allow citizens to enact laws directly. Many democracies now use proportional representation, encouraging smaller, more specific parties rather than two dominant ones. Yet voters keep getting angrier. There is a steady erosion of trust in politicians, parties, and democratic institutions, culminating most recently in major populist victories in the United States, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. Frances Rosenbluth and Ian Shapiro argue that devolving power to the grass roots is part of the problem, not the solution. Efforts to decentralize political decision-making make governments and especially political parties less effective and less able to address coTrade Review“Other political parties across the Western world have, in the past few years, experienced hostile takeovers of their own . . . Responsible Parties is one of the first books to give serious attention to the political effects of this transformation.”—Yascha Mounk, New Yorker“A trenchant and fiercely argued diagnosis of the growing pathology of representative democracy.”—John Dunn, Emeritus Professor of Political Theory and Fellow of King's College, Cambridge"Democracies that serve majorities over the long run require strong, cohesive legislative parties. Full stop. In their brilliant analysis of party systems across post-industrial democracies—steeped in the latest scholarship, animated by dramatic stories, and made urgent by the dangerous flowering of extremist parties and demagogues—Rosenbluth and Shapiro serve as expert, impassioned guides to why we must have strong parties and why, in efforts to be more representative, parties everywhere are failing democracy."—Nancy Rosenblum, Senator Joseph S. Clark Research Professor of Ethics in Politics and Government, Harvard University"One of the best books in many years on comparative democratic politics . . . compelling, courageous, and unconventional . . . A must read for anyone interested in how to restore the vitality of our democratic institutions and politics."—Richard H. Pildes, Sudler Family Professor of Constitutional Law, NYU School of Law

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Book SynopsisThe New Scientist recently declared that âœPhilosophers of knowledge, your time has comeâ and even Barack Obama has warned of an âœepistemological crisisâ. Following the election of Donald Trump for the second time, the rise of populism and the proliferation of misinformation and conspiracy theories, epistemological questions are now forefront in our political lives. Can epistemology explain the challenges of post-truth? Is voter ignorance a political or epistemic challenge? Is political disagreement epistemically valuable or harmful?This extremely timely introduction to political epistemology tackles these questions and many more. In a clear and engaging style, Michael Hannon and Elise Woodard examine the following key topics: the relation between truth and politics, including the arguments of Plato, Mill and Rawls; the epistemology of democracy, including questions about how democracies must be fair and representative and also make good decisions; how political ignor

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Book SynopsisAlongside the Arab Spring, the 'Occupy' anti-capitalist movements in the West, and the events on the Maidan in Kiev, Russia has had its own protest movements, notably the political protests of 2011â12. As elsewhere in the world, these protests had unlikely origins, in Russiaâs case spearheaded by the 'creative class'. This book examines the protest movements in Russia. It discusses the artistic traditions from which the movements arose; explores the media, including the internet, film, novels, and fashion, through which the protesters have expressed themselves; and considers the outcome of the movements, including the new forms of nationalism, intellectualism, and feminism put forward. Overall, the book shows how the Russian protest movements have suggested new directions for Russian â and global â politics. Table of ContentsIntroduction: genres and genders of protest in Russia's petrostateAlexander EtkindPart I: Origins and traditions of protest1. Fathers, sons, and grandsons: generational changes and political trajectory of Russia, 1989–2012Vladimir Gel'man2. Dissidents reloaded? Anti-Putin activists and the Soviet legacyValentina Parisi3. Why ‘two Russias’ are less than ‘United Russia’: cultural distinctions and political similarities: dialectics of defeatIlya Kalinin4. Are copycats subversive? Strategy-31, the Russian Runs, the Immortal Regiment and the transformative potential of non-hierarchical movementsMischa Gabowitsch5. Political consumerism in Russia after 2011Olga Gurova 6. Even the toys are demanding free elections: humour and the politics of creative protest in Russia Jennifer G. MathersPart II: Artistic and performative forms of protest 7. Biopolitics, believers, bodily protests: the case of Pussy RiotAlexandra Yatsyk8. Hysteria or enjoyment? Recent Russian actionismJonathan Brooks Platt9. Bleep and ***: speechless protestBirgit Beumers10. On the (im)possibility of a third opinionKristina Norman11. Performing poetry and protest in the age of digital reproductionMarijeta Bozovic12. When satire does not subvert: Citizen Poet as nostalgiaSanna Turoma

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Book SynopsisThe new edition of this influential work updates and expands the scope of the original, including more sustained analyses of individual films, from The Birth of a Nation to The Wolf of Wall Street. An interdisciplinary exploration of the relationship between American politics and popular films of all kindsâincluding comedy, science fiction, melodrama, and action-adventureâProjecting Politics offers original approaches to determining the political contours of films, and to connecting cinematic language to political messaging. A new chapter covering 2000 to 2013 updates the decade-by-decade look at the Washington-Hollywood nexus, with special areas of focus including the post-9/11 increase in political films, the rise of political war films, and films about the 2008 economic recession. The new edition also considers recent developments such as the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, the controversy sparked by the film Zero Dark Thirty, newer Trade Review"This well-researched, clearly-written, and informative view of politics and film will be appreciated by scholars and students alike. The aptly-titled Projecting Politics systematically surveys, decade by decade, the history of overt and covert political messages in American films from the silent era to the present day in refreshingly readable prose. Whether addressing explicit movies about Democrats and Republicans or subtextual sociopolitical issues such as race, gender, sexuality, and social class, the authors successfully merge political science and cinema studies in an engaging synthesis. Using an integrative cultural studies perspective, this volume also uncharacteristically (and significantly) offers a look at both the financial side and the artistic aspects of filmmaking that convey themes and ideological meaning in more subtle ways than obvious plot and dialogue. Thus, this volume could serve as a work of interdisciplinary scholarship, a course textbook, or just a great read. The revised and expanded second edition brings this all up to date, and with special attention to documentaries, cable-TV movies, and genre studies." —Frank P. Tomasulo, Pace University"In a slowly expanding literature on film and politics, the substantially expanded second edition of Projecting Politics features among the very best monographs on the subject. The two new chapters complement the millennial filmography of this ‘problematic’ genre and along with updated chapters on the intersections of politics, race, and gender offer valuable and original insight to the closer relationship between film and politics in the 21st century. Projecting Politics should be included in every reading list of not only film and politics courses but also in media, and political science departments." —Betty Kaklamanidou, Aristotle University, Greece"This text successfully delivers its message through the historical and contemporary analyses of films and the political messages they seek to convey. The newly revised edition provides a fresh and contemporary perspective on this fascinating subject." —Kenneth Christie, Royal Roads UniversityTable of ContentsI. Studying Political Films1. Setting the Scene: A Theory of Film and Politics2. The Making of a Message: Film Production and Techniques and Political Messages3. Causes and Special Effects: The Political Environment of FilmII. Political Films by Decade4. Politics in the Silent Movies5. The 1930s: Political Movies and the Great Depression6. The 1940s: Hollywood Goes to War7. The 1950s: Anti-Communism and Conformity8. The 1960s: From Mainstream to Counterculture9. The 1970s: Cynicism, Paranoia, War and Anticapitalism10. The 1980s: New Patriotism, Old Reds, and a Return to Vietnam in the Age of Reagan11. The 1990s: FX Politics12. The 2000s: 9/11 and BeyondIII. Political Films by Topic13. True Lies? The Rise of Political Documentaries14. Film and the Politics of Race: The Minority Report15. Women, Politics, and Film: All About Eve?16. White House Down? Politics in DisasterAppendixClosing Credits: A Political Filmography

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Book SynopsisIn an age defined by divisive discourse and disinformation, democracy hangs in the balance. Let's Agree to Disagree seeks to reverse these trends by fostering constructive dialogue through critical thinking and critical media literacy. This transformative text introduces readers to useful theories, powerful case studies, and easily adoptable strategies for becoming sharper critical thinkers, more effective communicators, and critically media literate citizens. Trade Review"I did not think we, as a society, could agree to disagree, which makes this book incredibly powerful - and incredibly needed in our divisive times. Higdon and Huff have provided both depth and breadth to multiple areas of our mediated world and in so doing have presented readers with a cogent and incredibly valuable text that will enable readers to learn about the mass media, themselves, and concrete ways to make change."Allison Butler, Senior Lecturer & Director of Undergraduate Advising, Director Media Literacy Certificate Program, Department of Communication, University of Massachusetts, Amherst"In the age of new and powerful tools of communication, democracy has become more fragile and vulnerable to attacks by right-wing forces. What is clear is that the tools of communication, culture, literacy and critical thinking are more crucial than ever in creating both informed citizens and maintaining a substantive democracy. Let’s Agree to Disagree is a brilliant and informative guide and analysis to the most defining features of what it means to create critically literate citizens, to enable how they might communicate constructively with each other, and what it means connect an informed public to critically engaged actions. Higdon and Huff provide a brilliant, crucial analysis of the dangers that democracy now faces; they provide an invaluable analysis of what it means to understand and engage the role of communication in fighting against the forces of civic illiteracy, and the role that citizens can play in engaging, understanding, and assessing how to think, engage, and act through an informed lens of critical thinking. Let’s Agree to Disagree is both a primer and an invaluable resource on misinformation, critical thinking, a disregard for the truth, and what is necessary to address the new and powerful forms of communication that now shape politics, power and mass consciousness. This is a book that should be read by anyone is believes that matters of literacy, truth, rationality, and civic courage are essential to fighting for a radical democracy."Henry Giroux, McMaster University Professor for Scholarship in the Public Interest, Paulo Freire Distinguished Scholar in Critical Pedagogy, at McMaster University "Let’s Agree to Disagree provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges, failures, and successes of communication and critical thinking for justice and democracy. Nolan Higdon and Mickey Huff have written an essential book for all educators because dialogue and critical reflection are the heart of progressive education. The better we learn to listen, question, and respond with compassion, empathy, and respect, the more likely we will build genuine relationships of caring and critical inquiry where authentic learning occurs and social justice thrives." Jeff Share, Ph.D., University of California, Los AngelesThe Real News:https://therealnews.com/polarizing-and-isolating-americans-is-good-business-for-media-monopoliesFull Measure News:https://fullmeasure.news/news/shows/agree-to-disagreeTable of ContentsIntroduction: Why Should We Agree to Disagree?Part I Communication1. Create Constructive Dialogue 2. Reflect on Communication Practices and CensorshipPart IICritical Thinking 3. Inquire: Be A Critical Thinker 4. Test Theory and Spot IdeologyPart IIICritical Media Literacy5. Investigate and Evaluate Mass Media6. Critiquing Content: "Fake News" and Ethical Journalism7. Assess and Analyze Digital Media Use and AbusePart IVLead by Example: Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport8. Conclusion

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Book SynopsisThis book assesses what corruption means for populists, and the anti-corruption rhetoric of populist actors. The author uses the case study of Czech politicians to show how populist politicians exploit the notion of corruption in their communication. Using many examples of different political statements (by presidents, party leaders, MPs, etc.), the populist discourse of corruption is discussed in the context of other discourses presented in Czech politics. The author analyses both Czech (not only populist) political party election manifestos and the political communication on social media from Czech anti-establishment and populist political parties (ANO, Freedom and Direct Democracy, and Pirates). Based on an extensive conceptual framework the book also focuses on whether mainstream parties respond to the success of populists by adopting populist anti-corruption rhetoric themselves and the similarities and differences between the approaches they adopt.Understanding the proce

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Book SynopsisThis book re-evaluates the role of performance in global politics in the face of populism and the digital mediatisation of political interactions. As political communications are increasingly conducted in online environments,post-truth' performances become evermore central to democratic processes. It is therefore essential to reconsider the political potency of performance and theatricality in order to effectively reinvigorate democracy in the 21st century. Drawing on applied theatre practices, this book shows that performance is inherently concerned with cooperative and collaborative encounters across difference, and performance might therefore support effective responses to digital populism. The analysis addresses the performative aspects of populist political movements in the United States and United Kingdom. The chapters engage with aspects of performance and theatricality not commonly broached in IR scholarship, including interpersonal engagement, creative embodimentTable of ContentsPart I: Political Populism through the Lens of Performance 1.Performance and Politics 2.Populism and Performance 3.Encounter and Engagement Part II: Political Embodiment in Digital Populist Contexts 4.Embodiment and Perception: Bringing the Inside Out 5.Embodiment and Relationality: Bringing the Outside In Part III: The Affective and Aesthetic Dimensions of Populism and Performance 6.Fear and Failure 7.Pleasure and Beauty

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Book SynopsisThis book explores the presidential image of Donald Trump as it is constructed by the media within American national mythology, precisely the frontier myth.By offering an account of three milestones in the development of the frontier mythology in its intersection with presidential imagery, the book shows how the image of Donald Trump fits into the line of cowboy presidents, together with Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. It also offers insights into the reasons for making Russian president Vladimir Putin a part of Trump's story and a routinely mentioned figure in American presidential politics.Applying the means of philosophical anthropology to this topical issue at the intersection of politics and the media, this volume will appeal to those working and studying in the areas of media studies, political anthropology, American studies, and myth studies. Table of ContentsPreface "The toughest guy in the office" The tough guy theme in politics Masculine politics and the origin of the tough Theodore Roosevelt: the becoming of the frontier and the arrival of the hero Performative frontier: staging the myth The enduring contradiction of myth The land and the man The man and the towners The girl: gendered opposition Ronald Reagan: extension of the frontier and inversion of the hero Myth gains primacy The exhauster of myth Donald Trump: recovered meanings of the frontier and resurgence of the hero Back to the beginning New scapes: cowboy goes metropolitan Myth continued Vladimir Putin: "stolen" meanings of the frontier and a supplementing hero Here comes the villain "Is he one of us?" Concluding thoughts

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Book SynopsisThis book analyses how digital transformation disrupts established patterns of world politics, moving International Relations (IR) increasingly towards Digital International Relations.This volume examines technological, agential and ordering processes that explain this fundamental change. The contributors trace how digital disruption changes the international world we live in, ranging from security to economics, from human rights advocacy to deep fakes, and from diplomacy to international law. The book makes two sets of contributions. First, it shows that the ongoing digital revolution profoundly changes every major dimension of international politics. Second, focusing on the interplay of technology, agency and order, it provides a framework for explaining these changes. The book also provides a map for adjusting the study of international politics to studying International Relations, making a case for upgrading, augmenting and rewiring the discipline. Theory follows practiceTrade Review'This book breaks new ground at the crossroads of International Relations Theory and Technology. Comprehensive, theoretically original, and conceptually sophisticated, yet highly accessible, the book thoroughly describes and explains the digital revolution’s broad and profound disruptive impact on international politics, human and algorithmic agency, and world order. Equally important, it will inspire new ways to theorize and research the rapidly and genuinely reconceptualized discipline of Digital International Relations.'Emanuel Adler, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Bronfman Chair Emeritus of Israeli Studies, University of Toronto, Canada'This edited volume furthers the debate on digitalization and digital technologies in international relations, exploring a range of themes and issues that shape how world politics is conducted in years to come. The book brings together key scholars and insightful conversations, making a much-needed move to begin addressing what ‘the digital’ means for theories and practices of international relations.'Rebecca Adler-Nissen, University of Copenhagen, DenmarkTable of ContentsIntroducing Digital International Relations: Technology, Agency and Order Part I: Revisiting Core Concepts 1. The Distribution of Power, Security, and Interconnectedness: The Structure of Digital International Relations 2. The State in the Digital Era: Supreme or in Decline? 3. Rise of the Nerd: Knowledge, Power and International Relations in a Digital World Part II: Agential Processes 4. Can you Trust in Zoom? Bonds and Trust in Digital Spaces 5. Metrodiplomacy: The Rise of Digital Urban Networks 6. Sticking to the State? Transnational Advocacy Networks in the Digital Era Part III: Ordering Processes 7. Algorithmic Security and Conflict in a Datafied World 8. The International Political Economy of the Digital (Revolution) 9. The Social Media Revolution, the Potential for Radical Democratization and Shifts in the Climate Change Discourse 10. Digital Diplomacy, Governance and International Law Conclusion

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Book SynopsisThis book engages with the work of a Iver B. Neumann, demonstrating the past, present, and future importance of his work as a central IR scholar who set a path for younger researchers to make sense of international relations beyond traditional bounds.By closely examining his work, some of the leading contemporary political scientists reflect on the eclecticism that embodies Neumann's theorisation. Expert contributors engage in a critical review of his work on identity, practice theory, discourse, knowledge production, mentoring, and methodology, looking beyond the person to say something about the state of the field and the craft of research altogether. These reflections engage in critical assessment of the state of International Relations as a discipline, taking stock of theoretical and methodological challenges that scholars face, and reviewing the changes and continuities in knowledge production within social sciences.This book would be of interest to students, rese

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive, authoritative study by leading experts showing why the United Kingdom voted for Brexit in the referendum of June 2016, based on a wealth of survey evidence conducted over more than ten years which tells the full story of why the vote turned out the way it did.Trade Review'It would be hard to come up with a better line-up of analysts to dig into both the long- and short-term drivers of Britain's decision to leave the EU. Whether you're a Leaver or a Remainer, the vote for Brexit needs explaining - and this is just the book to do it.' Tim Bale, Queen Mary University of London and author of The Conservative Party from Thatcher to Cameron'Do not read Brexit - unless you want truth rather than propaganda, objectivity rather than bias and evidence rather than prejudice. Harold D. Clarke, Matthew Goodwin and Paul F. Whiteley have written a book that will still be standing when the post-truth claims of those on both sides of the referendum have rightly crumbled to dust.' Peter Kellner, former President of YouGov'Clarke, Goodwin and Whiteley have written what is sure to be a standard reference on Brexit. A wonderfully written history of the rise of the UKIP and the Brexit referendum lead to a diverse array of empirical analyses: a survey of UKIP members, longitudinal national surveys and pre-post referendum surveys. Instead of simple explanations, they show the variety of diverse factors that produced the final referendum outcome and discuss the implications for British politics going forward.' Russell J. Dalton, University of California, Irvine'An empirically rich and insightful analysis of the dynamics of the Brexit vote. Essential reading for understanding the social and political forces underlying one of the most important and consequential electoral decisions of our times.' Lawrence LeDuc, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto'Brexit: Why Britain Voted to Leave the European Union isn't a book of opinions about why the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union but a close look at what the statistics tell us. It's an … informative read.' Sue Magee, The Bookbag (www.thebookbag.co.uk)'The British public does not have a settled view on Europe. … The authors conclude that the British are not unusually racist among Europeans … The British appear easily swayed.' Danny Dorling, The Times Higher EducationTable of Contents1. Brexit introduced; 2. Campaign prologue; 3. Into battle; 4. Attitudes to Brexit over time; 5. The people's army; 6. The rise of UKIP; 7. Voting to leave; 8. The consequences of Brexit; 9. Beyond Brexit.

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Book SynopsisHow do precarious workers employed in call-centres, universities, the fashion industry and many other labour markets organise, struggle and communicate to become recognised, influential political subjects? Media Practices and Protest Politics; How Precarious Workers Mobilise reveals the process by which individuals at the margins of the labour market and excluded from the welfare state communicate and struggle outside the realm of institutional politics to gain recognition in the political sphere. In this important and thought provoking work Alice Mattoni suggests an all-encompassing approach to understanding grassroots political communication in contemporary societies. Using original examples from precarious workers mobilizations in Italy she explores a range of activist media practices and compares different categories of media technologies, organizations and outlets from the printed press to web application and from mainstream to alternative media. Explaining how activists perceTrade Review'A vital question today is how the range of political actors can be expanded. New political movements must take action within an unequal media environment. Alice Mattoni's tightly argued new book on Italy's movement against precarity is one of the most important on alternative media practice to be published in recent years. Its contribution to our understanding of contemporary struggles for visibility is fundamental.' Nick Couldry, Goldsmiths, University of London UK 'A fresh look at the complex relationships among activists and media. In this insightful study of collective organizing among precarious workers in Italy, Mattoni provides a useful framework for understanding the media practices of social movement actors. Highly recommended for both scholars and activists.' Kathleen Blee, University of Pittsburgh, USA 'The decline of trade union power from its high-water mark in the 60s and 70s has numerous causes. In the UK, legislation outlawing sympathy strikes and secondary picketing, as well as requiring membership ballots for strike action to be legal has had a huge impact. However, more broadly and in many countries in the developed world, social and work patterns have changed in a manner that seemed to challenge the way labour had traditionally organised. This is why Alice Mattoni’s new book, focused on the political mobilisation of precarious workers in Italy, is a timely and important intervention... Mattoni’s account is highly prescient today, and might get even more so in the future.' LSE Review of Books '... the strength of Media Practices and Protest Politics is that it is well-grounded in media theory and its development of the media knowledge practices and relational media practices concepts ... this book and the concepts it introduces are very timely. Social movement scholars are increas ­ingly drawing attention to the critical role of the web and Internet activism and this book provides a much-needed framework for such a task.' Social ForcesTable of ContentsIntroduction; Chapter 1 Theoretical Reflections on the Study of Grassroots Political Communication; Chapter 2 The Discursive Context and Contentious Field of Precarity in Italy; Chapter 3 The Construction of Precarious Subjects in Mobilisations Against Precarity; Chapter 4 Reflections in the Mirror: Media Knowledge Practices; Chapter 5 Surfing Media Diversity: Relational Media Practices; Chapter 6 The Construction of Public Identities: Media Representations of Protest; Chapter 7 Conclusions: The Circuit of Grassroots Political Communication;

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