Political structure and processes Books
Edinburgh University Press Language Politics and Society in the Middle East
Book SynopsisPublished in honour of Professor Yasir Suleiman, this collection acknowledges his contribution to the field of language and society in general, and to that of language analysis of socio-political realities in the Middle East in particular.
£94.50
Edinburgh University Press Political Parties in the Arab World
Book SynopsisThis book provides a thorough theoretical and empirical examination and analysis of the most important aspects and traits of political parties and party politics in the Arab world, exploring cases from across the region.
£27.54
Edinburgh University Press Popular Politics and Political Culture
Book SynopsisThis book presents a distinctive reading of inter-war Scottish politics, reinterpreting the consequences of the expanded electorate after 1918 by focusing on changing perceptions of the radical political culture of urban Scotland.
£85.50
Edinburgh University Press Constructing Presidential Legacy
Book SynopsisWorld-leading experts take a multi-disciplinary approach to explore how presidents, including Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, the Roosevelts, Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Eisenhower, Reagan, Obama and Trump, are remembered in film, museums, public art, political invocations, pop culture, literature and evolving technological advancements.
£94.50
Edinburgh University Press Constructing Presidential Legacy
Book SynopsisWorld-leading experts take a multi-disciplinary approach to explore how presidents, including Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, the Roosevelts, Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Eisenhower, Reagan, Obama and Trump, are remembered in film, museums, public art, political invocations, pop culture, literature and evolving technological advancements.
£26.59
Edinburgh University Press PostColonial Settlement Strategy
Book SynopsisAn explanation for the launch of modern settlement projects, contra international trends and norms
£85.50
Edinburgh University Press PostColonial Settlement Strategy
Book SynopsisEhud Eiran compares three major settlement projects Israel in the West Bank and Gaza, Morocco in Western Sahara and Indonesia in East-Timor to discover why states launch settlements against international norms. He argues that post-colonial settlement projects are a distinct cluster of cases, separate from traditional colonial studies.
£20.89
Edinburgh University Press Collective Action and Political Transformations
Book SynopsisThis book acknowledges the severe problems with effective and significant collective action, but arrives at a more optimistic diagnosis of our time by rethinking the political from the angle of the experiences with progressive and conservative collective action in different parts of the globe: Brazil, South Africa and Europe.
£94.50
Edinburgh University Press Language Politics and Society in the Middle East
Book SynopsisPublished in honour of Professor Yasir Suleiman, this collection acknowledges his contribution to the field of language and society in general, and to that of language analysis of socio-political realities in the Middle East in particular.
£22.79
Edinburgh University Press The Story of the Scottish Parliament
Book SynopsisMarking the first twenty years of the Scottish Parliament, this collection of essays assesses its impact on Scotland, the UK and Europe, and compares progress against pre-devolution hopes and expectations.
£95.00
Edinburgh University Press The Story of the Scottish Parliament
Book SynopsisMarking the first twenty years of the Scottish Parliament, this collection of essays assesses its impact on Scotland, the UK and Europe, and compares progress against pre-devolution hopes and expectations.
£17.09
Edinburgh University Press Big Data and Democracy
Book SynopsisWhat's wrong with targeted advertising in political campaigns? Are echo chambers a matter of genuine concern? How does data collection impact on trust in society? As decision-making becomes increasingly automated, how can decision-makers be held to account? This collection consider potential solutions to these challenges.
£24.69
Edinburgh University Press Democracy in the PostTruth Era
Book SynopsisThe world of post-truth is a world of intense disinformation, an offensive of pseudoscience and widespread scepticism about expert knowledge. It is a world in which the terms of the political game are imposed by illiberal democrats who undermine the authority of scientific institutions. The liberal-democratic politicians have had to take up the gauntlet thrown down to them in this way. However, according to the book''s author, they have not been followed by liberal theorists. Liberal theorists have never attempted to confront the pessimistic vision of a world in which citizens cannot distinguish expert from pseudo-expert and science from pseudo-science. The dominant liberal theories are based on the assumption that citizens are either competent to participate in major political decisions or that they can easily acquire such competence. The book strikingly explores a very different perspective. How would the theory and practice of liberal democracy have to change if we assume that laypersons will never appreciate the relevance of the arguments put forward by experts?
£18.99
Little, Brown & Company Uncovered: How the Media Got Cozy with Power,
Book Synopsis"Steve Krakauer's new book, Uncovered, is vital reading. It's the best and most perceptive deep dive into legacy media bias out there, from someone who knows where all the bodies are buried." Ben Shapiro"One of the most insightful critiques that has been published on this topic in years." Glenn GreenwaldIn Uncovered, media critic and former CNN executive Steve Krakauer reveals exactly what went wrong -- and why the media went off the rails. The fourth estate is supposed to be a conduit to the people and a check on power. But as Krakauer convincingly argues, we have a bunch of geographically isolated, introspection-free, cozy-with-power, egomaniacal journalists thirsty for elite approval. Krakauer dives deep into some of the most important and egregious examples of the elite censorship collusion racket, like how tech suppression and media fear led to the New York Post-Hunter Biden email debacle before the 2020 election. Krakauer takes readers inside CNN after the shock Trump election, inside the New York Times after the Tom Cotton op-ed backlash, inside ESPN after the shift away from sports-only coverage, and more--revealing never-before-seen details about the press over the past five years.Krakauer pulls from his own insider experience as a former CNN executive and through dozens of exclusive on-the-record interviews with media members in and around the industry--from Tucker Carlson and others at Fox News, to journalists at the New York Times, MSNBC, and CNN.No one understands these problems (and people) better than Krakauer, one of America's sharpest media critics. He has spent years getting to know the most influential players in the industry. This fascinating book is what he's learned. But most importantly, Krakauer equips readers with the crucial tools to sniff out when the press is lying or misleading the people of America in the future -- so together, we can bypass them altogether.
£22.50
Little, Brown & Company The March to the Majority: The Real Story of the
Book SynopsisA NATIONAL BESTSELLER!The story of Gingrich's rise from college professor, to architect of the Contract with America, to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives is historic. There were many adventures, personalities, missteps, and victories on the road from a seemingly permanent House GOP minority to the first Republican majority in 40 years. These untold stories and inspiring lessons about the rise of modern conservatism are immensely relevant today as the United States faces profound and extraordinary challenges.Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich joins with former National Republican Congressional Committee Executive Director Joe Gaylord to bring alive the stories, events, and activities that led to the Contract with America and the first re-elected Republican majority since 1928. No two people are better positioned to tell this story than Gingrich and Gaylord. They were there, and they got it done. Gingrich and Gaylord share never-before-told stories about:* Ronald Reagan* Richard Nixon* Tip O'Neill* George H.W. Bush* Bill Clinton, and other fascinating political figuresMarch to the Majority is not only about the past, but also about the challenges our nation faces today and offers principles for governing the American people.
£22.50
PublicAffairs,U.S. All Politics Is Local: Why Progressives Must
Book SynopsisAfter the 2016 election, the Republican Party seized control not just of the White House and Congress but of many state governments. To be precise, the GOP seized control of both legislative chambers in 32 states and governor offices in 33 states-a majority the party hadn't held since 1928. What happened?In In the Red, journalist Meaghan Winter argues that over the last couple decades, the Democratic Party has made a very risky strategic choice to abandon state and local races in order to win federal races, while the GOP poured money into winning state governor seats and state congresses. For Republicans, it paid off.For Democrats--and the American public--the fallout has been catastrophic. Abortion access is more restricted than it has been in decades; gun control legislation has become even harder to pass; and ID laws are undermining voting rights. In states across the country, activists on the ground are fighting massive Republican power alone, liberal and progressive candidates are running campaigns with no support, and American citizens are suffering. If the Democratic Party establishment changes its strategy--and soon--there is hope. Meaghan Winter's book reminds us of the importance of robust local politics and the role that states can play in checking presidential power.
£22.50
Autonomedia Situating Ourselves In Displacement: Conditions,
Book Synopsis
£16.20
Autonomedia Don't Network: The Avant Garde After Networks
Book Synopsis
£19.80
Africa World Press Socio-political Scaffolding And The Construction
Book SynopsisThis book explores the ongoing questions, dilemmas and accomplishments emerging from Africa's struggle for stable polities, effective governance and meaningful transitional processes.
£29.71
PublicAffairs,U.S. The Long Game: How Obama Defied Washington and
Book SynopsisIn this inside assessment of Barack Obama's foreign policy legacy, Derek Chollet tackles the prevailing consensus to argue that Obama has profoundly altered the course of American foreign policy for the better and positioned the United States to lead in the future. The Long Game combines a deep sense of history with new details and compelling insights into how the Obama Administration approached the most difficult global challenges. With the unique perspective of having served at the three national security power centres during the Obama years- the White House, State Department, and Pentagon- Chollet takes readers behind the scenes of the intense struggles over the most consequential issues: the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the meltdown of Syria and rise of ISIS, the Ukraine crisis and a belligerent Russia, the conflict in Libya, the tangle with Iran, the turbulent relationship with Israel, and the rise of new powers like China.An unflinching, fast-paced account of U.S. foreign policy, The Long Game reveals how Obama has defied the Washington establishment to redefine America's role in the world, offering important lessons for the next president.Trade Review"Derek Chollet offers a well-argued and convincing defence of President Obama's approach to the world. Chollet is an example of the kind of scholar-policymaker that is such a feature of American statecraft...Chollet's detailed and knowledgeable discussion of the policy options provides a revealing picture of the nature and complexity of the US's policy dilemmas."--Gideon Rachman, Financial Times "[Derek Chollet] is likely to be the closest anyone will come to understanding the thinking behind a foreign policy that has many critics..."--The Economist "A measured insider's account of President Barack Obama's foreign policy...[Chollet] relies on his heavyweight credentials and personal perspective in a spirited, thoughtful defense of how Obama responded to both George W. Bush's missteps and the spiraling chaos that has greeted his own goals...A cogent, detailed policy review." --Kirkus Reviews "Chollet has laid out a clear and compelling picture, and his text is positioned to become one of the definitive summaries of the Obama approach." --National Interest "Derek Chollet defines and explains the Obama foreign policy as grand strategy. The Long Game goes against the conventional wisdom of our moment. Though an insider's account, it views the present as history and puts down a marker that will shape how historians interpret the Obama years." --George Packer, author of The Assassins' Gate and The Unwinding "Foreign policy in the 21st century requires realism mixed with an element of idealism in order to navigate the intensifying anarchy of the world system. Derek Chollet shows this philosophy in action in this terrifically brisk, insider account of the Obama Administration's travails in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Agree with it or not, I know of no more compelling defense of Obama's record." --Robert D. Kaplan, Senior Fellow at The Center for a New American Security and author of In Europe's Shadow: Two Cold Wars and a Thirty-Year Journey Through Romania and Beyond
£19.94
Ig Publishing The Tribalization Of Politics: How Rush
Book SynopsisAn exploration of the role the USA's most-listened-to radio host played in the election of Donald Trump.
£14.39
Fernwood Publishing Co Ltd Rethinking the Politics of Labour in Canada
Book SynopsisIn the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to re-establish the labour movement's political capacity to exert collective power in ways that foster greater opportunity and equality for working-class people has taken on a greater sense of urgency. Understanding the strategic political possibilities and challenges facing the Canadian labour movement at this important moment in history is the central concern of this second edition of Rethinking the Politics of Labour in Canada.With new and revised essays by established and emerging scholars from a wide range of disciplines, this edited collection assesses the past, present and uncertain future of Canadian labour politics in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bringing together the traditional electoral-based aspects of labour politics with analyses of newer and rediscovered forms of working-class organization and social movement-influenced strategies, which have become increasingly important in the Canadian labour movement, this book seeks to take stock of these new forms of labour politics, understand their emergence and assess their potential impact on the future of labour in Canada.
£19.95
Fernwood Publishing Co Ltd Spin Doctors: How Media and Politicians
Book SynopsisAs Canada was in the grips of the worst pandemic in a century, Canadian media struggled to tell the story. Newsrooms, already run on threadbare budgets, struggled to make broader connections that could allow their audience to better understand what was really happening, and why. Politicians and public health officials were mostly given the benefit of the doubt that what they said was true and that they acted in good faith.This book documents each month of the first year of the pandemic and examines the issues that emerged, from racialized workers to residential care to policing. It demonstrates how politicians and uncritical media shaped the popular understanding of these issues and helped to justify the maintenance of a status quo that created the worst ravages of the crisis. Spin Doctors argues alternative ways in which Canadians should understand the big themes of the crisis and create the necessary knowledge to demand large-scale change.
£21.15
Gibson Square Books Ltd Time to Emigrate?: Pre- and Post-Brexit Britain
A gripping analysis of pre- and post-Brexit Britain
£11.77
Verso Books The BBC: Myth of a Public Service
Book SynopsisThe BBC is one of the most important institutions in Britain; it is also one of the most misunderstood. Despite its claim to be independent and impartial, and the constant accusations of a liberal bias, from its Reithian origins to its coverage of the 2019 General Election: the BBC has always sided with the elite. As Tom Mills demonstrates, we are only getting the news that the Establishment wants aired in public. And yet in the current age of multi-platform news, this bias is increasingly exposed. Mills asks if the institution is fit for purpose? And can it even be reformed? The BBC is an important and timely examination of a crucial public institution that may threaten the very thing it was meant to uphold: democracy.Trade Review"Impressive ... a direct challenge to the notion of the BBC as a pillar of liberalism and social democracy * Times Higher Education *A brilliant corrective to mainstream histories of the BBC and a valuable reminder of the need to build a democratic media that is free from vested interests -- Des Freedman, Professor of Media and Communications, GoldsmithsRequired reading for those who want to understand Britain, and an invaluable resource for those who want to change it for the better. -- Daniel Hind, author of The Return of the Public: Democracy, Power and the Case for Media ReformAn excellent critique of the history of the BBC . . an important and readable book. -- David Boyle, author of The Death of Liberal Britain
£12.01
Verso Books Germany's Hidden Crisis: Social Decline in the Heart of Europe
Book SynopsisOne of the German-speaking world's leading young sociologists lays out modern Germany's social and political crisis and its implications for the future of the European hegemon. Upward social mobility represented a core promise of life under the "old" West German welfare state, in which millions of skilled workers upgraded their VWs to Audis, bought their first homes, and sent their children to university. Not so in today's Federal Republic, however, where the gears of the so-called "elevator society" have long since ground to a halt. In the absence of the social mobility of yesterday, widespread social exhaustion and anxiety have emerged across mainstream society. Oliver Nachtwey analyses the reasons for this social rupture in post-war German society and investigates the conflict potential emerging as a result, concluding that although the country has managed to muddle through the Eurocrisis largely unscathed thus far, simmering tensions beneath the surface nevertheless threaten to undermine the German system's stability in the years to come.Nachtwey's book was recipient of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's 2016 Hans-Matthöfer-Preis for Economic Writing.Trade ReviewAn insightful account of the crises threatening German stability. * Morning Star *Nachtwey's book addresses a glaring absence in contemporary political and academic debate, takes up urgent questions and puts forward compelling arguments. In this sense, the book was long overdue, and represents a real advance in understanding the trajectory of social inequality in modern Germany. -- Marcel van der LindenNachtwey makes the convincing argument that the downwardly mobile society is not without alternative, but rather has been vehemently criticized and opposed from the outset by substantial layers of society. For this and other reasons, it ought to be read by anyone who feels like they no longer understand modern society. -- Wolfgang StreeckIt would be difficult to find a comparatively accessible, precisely formulated and cogent explanation of the crisis on the German book market today. -- Jens Bisky * Süddeutsche Zeitung *Critical theory has rarely been more illuminating. -- Eva Thöne * Literatur Spiegel *The book poses the question of class in a surprising and intelligent way. A well-founded explanation of the present. -- Urs Hafner * Neue Zürcher Zeitung *Rarely has such a precisely argued, elegantly formulated and resolutely steadfast piece of academic writing on the complex topic of social structure analysis appeared in the German-speaking world. -- Christian Baron * konkret *The newest Frankfurt School: Nachtwey investigates how capitalism's liberalization over the last forty years has transformed our lives. Oliver Nachtwey may not have an answer, but he asks the right questions. -- Joachim Gaertner * hr fernsehen *In this comprehensive sociological study, the author assembles sobering news from Germany, a country the elites of which routinely pride themselves of presiding over a stable, prosperous, and socially inclusive society. To which there is even some truth, comparatively speaking. Yet capitalism thrives on credible promises and on hopes being redeemed. As elsewhere in the West, German elites are increasingly distrusted and hopes frustrated, giving rise to virulent fears and anxieties. As private and public debt, near-stagnation and growing inequality shape gloomy perceptions, a disjunction occurs between ongoing technical and economic modernization, on the one hand, and the notion of "progress" that used to be associated with it. This is a condition for which Nachtwey coins the term "regressive modernity". Among its characteristics are a decline of collective action and public goods production and the "de-institutionalization" of social and economic conflict. Instead of anything resembling organized class struggle, we see symptoms of diffuse and "anomic" rebelliousness ranging from short-lived "occupy"-style mobilizations to the outbursts of rightist mobs. Nachtwey has written a lucid analysis highlighting the social causes of our current perplexities. -- Claus OffeIt needs at once sociological imagination, an interpretive sense for statistics and explanatory sharpness to be able to decipher the anxious and conflict-laden atmosphere in a country that looks extremely well-ordered, affluent and healthy from the outside. Oliver Nachtwey, impressively combining these three talents, has managed to prompt such a necessary change of perspective with regard to contemporary Germany: In his fascinating study he not only informs us about how downward mobility, precariousness and polarization have grown over the last decades in Germany, but also about how people suffering from these developments fight against the downgrading of their lives - be it by inventing new forms of protest, be it by joining nationalist movements. A must to read for everyone interested in the dark side of the economic wealth of Western countries. -- Axel HonnethA true masterpiece. Focusing on the case of Germany - which has long been mispresented and misperceived as a paragon of economic success and political stability - Oliver Nachtwey offers a detailed account of the crisis of contemporary capitalism. Moving at the forefront of leading theories of political economy, the book develops an empirically grounded synthetic perspective on "regressive modernity", a concept of which much can be expected for future progress in the study of capitalist development. -- Wolfgang StreeckA major critical review of Europe's most important country, its socio-economics, its politics, and its self-diagnoses. -- Göran TherbornOliver Nachtwey has written an empirically grounded book of great topicality. He focuses on Germany, but his analysis is of much wider relevance. Nachtwey reveals that the 'elevator effect', which reduces the significance of social distinctions, is finished. A 'downward escalator effect' now makes class disparities visible again. Growing insecurity, increasing inequality and swelling precarianization lead to a renaissance of both left-wing revolts and right-wing authoritarianism. -- Marcel van der LindenNachtwey's book provides a detailed analysis of postwar developments in Germany from a left-wing, working-class, and sociology-based perspective. I can highly recommend it to everyone interested in the past, present, and future of this crucially important country, many of whose problems face other Europeans and people in the United States as well, in particular the danger of some variant of fascism, most alarmingly in case of a repetition of the 2008 crisis-perhaps a far more serious one. -- Victor Grossman * Monthly Review *
£16.99
Verso Books The New Populism: Democracy Stares Into the Abyss
Book SynopsisThe word 'populism' has come to cover all manner of sins. Yet despite the prevalence of its use, it is often difficult to understand what connects its various supposed expressions. From Syriza to Trump and from Podemos to Brexit, the electoral earthquakes of recent years have often been grouped under this term. But what actually defines 'populism'? Is it an ideology, a form of organisation, or a mentality? Marco Revelli seeks to answer this question by getting to grips with the historical dynamics of so-called 'populist' movements. While in the early days of democracy, populism sought to represent classes and social layers who asserted their political role for the first time, in today's post-democratic climate, it instead expresses the grievances of those who had until recently felt that they were included.Having lost their power, the disinherited embrace not a political alternative to -isms like liberalism or socialism, but a populist mood of discontent. The new populism is the 'formless form' that protest and grievance assume in the era of financialisation, in the era where the atomised masses lack voice or organisation. For Revelli, this new populism the child of an age in which the Left has been hollowed out and lost its capacity to offer an alternative.Trade ReviewIn his book, Marco Revelli aptly defines today's right-wing populism as a 'senile disorder' of liberal democracy, a 'revolt of the included' who have been pushed to the margins. -- Enzo TraversoFor whoever wants to find their bearings and guard against the seductive power of empty words, I recommend Marco Revelli's book. -- Gustavo ZagrebelskyIf we want to place Trump's victory in its proper context, I think a good book to read is Marco Revelli's book. -- Rossana RossandaMarco Revelli weaves political theory with sociological analysis to provide the first definitive analysis of post-2008 populism. The New Populism demonstrates that, with the right critical and empirical mindset, it is possible to understand these movements, without either deploring or embracing them. -- William Davies, author of Nervous States: How Feeling Took Over the WorldMarco Revelli accurately sees a new populism arising out of the ashes of Social Democracy in Europe and liberalism in the United States. His book is a tour of the rising populist parties and movements and a tour de force in his trenchant analysis of how they came about and where they may be headed. -- John B. Judis, author of The Populist Explosion and The Nationalist RevivalA very timely and lucid introduction from one of Italy's most distinguished social scientists -- Paul GinsborgEnlightening. -- Rob Doyle * Times Literary Supplement *
£16.99
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd Why Occupy a Square?: People, Protests and
Book SynopsisOn 25 January 2011, tens of thousands of Egyptians came out on the streets to protest against emergency rule and police brutality. Eighteen days later, Mubarak, one of the longest sitting dictators in the region, had gone. How are we to make sense of these events? Was this a revolution, a revolutionary moment? How did the protests come about? How were they able to outmanoeuvre the police? Was this really a 'leaderless revolution,' as so many pundits claimed, or were the protests an out- growth of the protest networks that had developed over the past decade? Why did so many people with no history of activism participate? What role did economic and systemic crises play in creating the conditions for these pro- tests to occur? Was this really a Facebook revolution? Why Occupy a Square? is a dynamic exploration of the shape and timing of these extraordinary events, the players behind them, and the tactics and protest frames they developed. Drawing on social movement theory, it traces the interaction between protest cycles, regime responses and broader structural changes over the past decade. Using theories of urban politics, space and power, it reflects on the exceptional state of non-sovereign politics that developed during the occupation of Tahrir Square.Trade Review'Gunning and Baron have combined social theory, an excellent grasp of the structural and historical context, and a sharply observant eye for detail to explain the extraordinary phenomenon of the Egyptian uprising against President Mubarak in 2011. The result is an outstanding and lively analysis of this episode that will likely stand the test of time. It also helps to throw light on subsequent events as Egyptians follow their uncertain course into the future.' * Charles Tripp, Professor of Middle East Politics, SOAS, University of London *'Gunning and Baron provide an innovative corrective to conventional views of Tahrir Square. Deftly deploying theoretical insights and first-hand observations, they highlight the deeper roots of urban protest and explain the critical roles played by informal networks and social organisation. This book speaks equally powerfully to those in academia, the media and policy circles struggling to make sense of why the events of the Arab Spring have defied standard, top-down expectations and, in so doing, it provides an instructive insight for the future.' * James Piscatori, Professor of International Relations, Durham University *'This is the most rigorous explanation currently available of the unforgettable mass mobilizations in Cairo which helped topple the Mubarak dictatorship.' * Jeff Goodwin, Professor of Sociology, New York University *'This well-crafted and comprehensive study — a useful combination of social movement theory and international relations — proves how revolution is and remains possible in the Arab world.' * Jean-Pierre Filiu, Professor of Middle East Studies, Sciences Po (Paris) and author of The Arab Revolution: Ten Lessons From the Democratic Uprising *'This excellent book goes a long way toward dispelling the dual myths that the 25 January Revolution in Egypt came out of nowhere or was an inevitable consequence of political and socioeconomic frustration. The resulting synthesis is highly readable and will be of immense value those who want make sense of the daunting complexities of Egyptian politics over the last two decades.' * Ewan Stein, Lecturer in International Relations, University of Edinburgh *'Anyone who wants to think through the ways in which political movements are going to arise and do their work during the rest of the 21st century would be advised to get a copy of this book.' * Don Flynn, Chartist *'This is a staggeringly good book. After reading so many accounts of the Egyptian Revolution and Arab Spring that are mainly descriptive, or even speculative as to causes, it seemed we were doomed to have to wait many years… Gunning and Baron have proven that we needn't wait any longer.' * Jack A. Goldstone, Professor of Public Policy, George Mason University *
£27.00
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd The Gulf Monarchies and Climate Change: Abu Dhabi
Book SynopsisAt the heart of Mari Luomi's salutary book is whether oil- and gas-dependent authoritarian monarchies can keep their natural resource use and the environment in balance. She argues that the Gulf monarchies have already reached their limits of 'natural sustainability', given that several of them are dependent on natural gas imports. Water resources are dwindling, and food import dependence is high and rising. Qatar's per capita emission of CO2 is ten times the global average. As a result of their booming economies, the Gulf monarchies' surging electricity and water demand have exerted unexpected pressures on domestic energy supply. Simultaneously, the consolidation of climate change on the international agenda has created a new uncertainty for local rulers whose survival depends on sales of oil and gas. Meanwhile domestic resource consumption, together with climate change, are putting unprecedented stress on the region's fragile desert environment. The Gulf is under stress, but so too are its states' power, wealth and ecosystems. Luomi reveals how Abu Dhabi and Qatar have responded to these new natural re- source-related pressures, particularly climate change, and how their responses are inextricably linked with elite legitimacy strategies and the 'natural unsustainability' of their political economies.Trade ReviewDr Luomi does an exemplary job of teasing out the lineage of different policies amid the complex, overlapping, and opaque world of Gulf Ministries, national energy companies, associated institutions, consultancies, and advisors. * Global Policy *This innovative book will transform our thinking about the future of the Persian Gulf monarchies. Skilfully weaving case-studies of Qatar and Abu Dhabi into an examination of the political economy of natural unsustainability, Luomi focuses on the big issues that will dominate Gulf politics in the twenty-first century -- emerging energy insecurities, vulnerability to climate change and international mitigation strategies, and the challenging transition to post-fossil economies. -- Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, author of 'Insecure Gulf: The End of Certainty and the Transition to the Post-Oil Era'At a time when the Persian Gulf region is undergoing economic development and infrastructural transformation at breakneck speed, questions of sustainability and the long-term environmental consequences of change in the GCC are seldom asked. Mari Luomi's richly researched book is essential in contextualizing the economic changes underway in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. More importantly, her sobering conclusions concerning the natural unsustainability of development efforts across the GCC, shed light on one of the most important facets of the political economy of the Persian Gulf. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the study of the region or in global environmental politics. -- Professor Mehran Kamrava, Georgetown University QatarThe Gulf Monarchies are making progress in the challenge to transform their economies and achieve economic sustainability, but only recently has awareness of the ecological challenge linked to the harsh climate of the region begun to be recognised. Mari Luomi's book details the early steps that have been taken to tackle this further challenge, focusing in particular on Abu Dhabi and Qatar, and the many difficult decisions that lie ahead. Can environmental sustainability be reached? At what cost? -- Giacomo Luciani, Adjunct Professor of International Affairs, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, GenevaDr. Mari Luomi has accumulated a vast amount of material gleaned from the Gulf states' official publications -- her narrative -- is supported by a truly impressive array of statistics. -- David Heard * Asian Affairs *An integrated assessment of energy and climate policies of the Gulf countries has thus been missing, and Luomi has managed to fill this gap with an authoritative volume on the domestic and international climate policies of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries . . . For anyone interested in energy and climate policy of the Middle East, Luomi's book will be crucial reading. * Greenhouse Gas Measurement and Management *
£36.00
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd Understanding Reform in Myanmar: People and
Book SynopsisMarie Lall's book seeks to uncover and explain the recent political and economic reforms implemented in post-military Myanmar, focussing on key turning-points that ushered in the current transformation programme, particularly those affecting education, NGOs and social justice.She maps the main reform priorities, explaining how they are interconnected, and what has been achieved, which amount to the first tentative steps towards 'democratisation', albeit under the umbrella of President Thein Sein's controlled and more inclusive governance. Beyond the building site that is now Yangon, burgeoning urban car ownership and ubiquitous mobile phone use, there remains a widening gap, sharpened by inflation, between rural and urban Myanmar, at social, economic and political levels. Peasants are losing their livelihoods to development schemes that are being created to bring in foreign investment, and social justice is largely absent from the country's reform agenda.While the country has changed significantly, has the West been gulled into mistaking 'discipline-flourishing democracy' for true participatory democracy?Will the hopes of Aung San Suu Kyi coming to power in Yangon at the head of the NLD through an open and fair ballot ever be realised? These and other questions are scrutinised in this shrewd analysis of post-military Myanmar.Trade Review'At its heart [the book] is a rigorous look at the reform process over the past few years, written partly from an insider's viewpoint: Ms Lall continued to work with NGOs and colleges in Myanmar even when the country was largely boycotted by the West before 2010 ... Ms Lall's book is also a sobering reminder of what a monumental job the new NLD government has to reconstruct the country.' * The Economist *'A truly remarkable insight into Myanmar's exciting move away from deeply entrenched military rule. Marie Lall's ten year Odyssey inside this enigmatic country shatters many Western illusions, and highlights the extent to which the current transition owes so much to responsible civil society responding to unexpectedly enlightened leadership.' * Derek Tonkin, former British Ambassador to Thailand and Vietnam *'Understanding Reform in Myanmar is essential reading for anyone who takes a serious interest in the politics of Myanmar (Burma). This bold and incisive account describes how President Thein Sein's reforming government emerged from the previous military regime, and the key roles played by civil society actors, often working behind-the-scenes to promote change in this beautiful but troubled country. Professor Lall also provides timely insights into some of the challenges which lie ahead, following the National League for Democracy's decisive election victory in November 2015.' * Dr Ashley South, Myanmar scholar and consultant, Chiang Mai University *'This is a very significant work which makes a major contribution to the literature. Marie Lall demonstrates unprecedented access to sources of data, not only in existing reports but also to key individuals. Understanding Reform in Myanmar is fact-filled, and breathtaking in the depth and quality of research into what is an extremely broad topic -- it contains a wealth of detail I did not know.' * Dr Anthony Ware, Senior Lecturer in International and Community Development, Deakin University *
£23.75
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd Algeria Modern: From Opacity to Complexity
Book SynopsisSpared by the Arab revolts, Bouteflika's Algeria continues to intrigue observers. How does its political system function? Who really governs? Who are behind the protests? How strong are the Islamists? Are there alternatives to dependence on hydrocarbons? And how will the regime securitise its vast and unstable Sahara hinterland? Algeria has been depicted for many years as politically opaque, incomprehensible, and under the control of powerful, occult-like intelligence agencies. While these caricatures are all partly true, they understate how much the country has changed since the 1990s. Algeria today is com--plex, and challenging to comprehend; but it is no longer opaque. Algeria Modern analyses the complexity of state and society and the strategies that social and political actors employ. It demonstrates how interest groups that constitute the core of the regime are linked to both the security and busi-ness sectors, which while defending their turf and united by shared values are, however, in perennial competition.Embedded in a broader Maghreb and Sahel region that has been marked by civil war, rebellions, and foreign military intervention, many Algerians seem, albeit reluctantly, willing to endure the current hybrid form of authoritarian order as long as it provides a minimum of security and welfare.Trade Review'This book is timely and significant. It both reveals how Algeria has changed since its civil war in the 1990s and how scholars now interpret North Africa's most important country. The contributors, moreover, are acknowledged specialists of the country, or have recently completed research there, and so are ideal guides to its evolving complexities.' -- George Joffe, Lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Cambridge, and editor of 'Islamist Radicalisation in North Africa'; 'This volume provides a judicious assessment of how the Bouteflika regime has demilitarized the Algerian polity without, however, altering the architecture of control. It provides a provocative reinterpretation of how politics and power in Algeria have evolved and yet remain the same despite the wholesale house cleaning of the intelligence service. A must-read for those interested in authoritarian resiliency.' -- John P. Entelis, Professor of Political Science, Fordham University, and author of, among others, 'Algeria: The Revolution Institutionalized'; 'An extremely timely book that addresses comprehensively one of the least known and understood countries in the Arab world, just as it enters a new period of political and economic change. The contributors provide important insights into how Algeria emerged from its traumatic experiences of the 1980s and 1990s and the lessons this provides for the tumult the Arab world is currently experiencing.' -- Michael Willis, King Mohamed VI Fellow in Moroccan and Mediterranean Studies, University of Oxford, and author of 'Politics and Power in the Maghreb'This volume provides a judicious assessment of how the Bouteflika regime has demilitarized the Algerian polity without, however, altering the architecture of control. It provides a provocative reinterpretation of how politics and power in Algeria have evolved and yet remain the same despite the wholesale house cleaning of the intelligence service. A must-read for those interested in authoritarian resiliency. -- John P. Entelis, Professor of Political Science, Fordham University, and author of, among others, Algeria: The Revolution InstitutionalizedAn extremely timely book that addresses comprehensively one of the least known and understood countries in the Arab world, just as it enters a new period of political and economic change. The contributors provide important insights into how Algeria emerged from its traumatic experiences of the 1980s and 1990s and the lessons this provides for the tumult the Arab world is currently experiencing. -- Michael Willis, King Mohamed VI Fellow in Moroccan and Mediterranean Studies, University of Oxford, and author of Politics and Power in the MaghrebAlgeria Modern contributes greatly to the literature on Algerian politics by offering a refreshing perspective and understanding of complex inter-relations and transformations in recent years. ... It is therefore particularly timely for those interested in Algeria's political trajectory to read Algeria Modern. -- Africa at LSE Blog
£40.50
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd Transitional Justice in the Middle East and North
Book SynopsisFollowing the 'Arab Spring' uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa, many had high hopes not only for democratisation but also for transitional justice to address the myriad abuses that had taken place in the region, both during the uprisings and for decades prior to them. Protesters had called not only for removal of corrupt and abusive leaders, but also for the protection of human rights more generally, including socio-economic rights as well as civil and political rights. Despite these hopes, most of the transitions in the region have stalled, along with the possibility of transitional justice. This volume is the first to look at this process and brings together leading experts in the fields of human rights and transitional justice, and in the history, politics and justice systems of countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Bahrain and Morocco. While these countries have diverse histories, political institutions, and experiences with accountability, most have experienced non-transition, stalled transition, or political manipulation of transitional justice measures, highlight--ing the limits of such mechanisms. These studies should inform reflection not only on the role of transitional justice in the region, but also on challenges to its operation more generally.
£23.75
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd Politics and State-Society Relations in India
Book SynopsisJames Manor is acknowledged as one of the world's leading experts on Indian politics, especially how it is affected by caste, political economy -- particularly poverty and its alleviation -- regionalism and modes of political leadership. This book distils his six decades of research, scholarship and writing on these topics, presenting the reader with a definitive collection of chapters covering the full spectrum of Manor's expertise. The first section is a commentary on the emergence of a consolidated democracy in India, and discusses political awakening and political decay, which, together with political regeneration, form the three key processes at work in Indian politics over the past forty years. If one aspect of the management of democratic affairs is linked to the Indian voters and their shifting political choices, the other is where political leaders step in; and Manor is equally interested in both. He devotes three sections to the nature of political parties, the trends of regional politics, and how, at all these levels, political actors manage the challenges of governance.He addresses the regional dynamics of politics through the lens of political leadership in the fourth section. And in the last section, he comments on the more recent and turbulent phase of Indian politics, as Hindu nationalists took power in the regions and at the centre.Trade Review'Manor is, arguably, one of a handful of scholars with a comprehensive understanding of the history of struggles over political and personal power in New Delhi and the provinces.' -- S. J. Gabriel, Professor of Economics, Mount Holyoke College, CHOICE‘Offers a comprehensive account of politics and social transformations taking place in India in the last two decades of previous century… Manor perfectly brings out the inherent conflicts and contradictions of a democratic state in a deeply hierarchical society and also the ways in which Indian state and its leaderships ‘manage’ them while ensuring basic features of a functional democracy.’ -- New Books Asia
£23.75
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in South Africa
Book SynopsisSouth Africa's transition to democracy took place against a backdrop of shadow war between the apartheid regime's counterinsurgency forces and the African National Congress' armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK). This book analyses in unprecedented detail the hidden history of MK's struggle and its contribution to South Africa's liberation, while exposing new dimensions of clandestine apartheid-era violence. Drawing on interviews with former MK guerrillas, Daniel Douek traces the evolution of MK's operations across southern Africa from the 1960s, culminating in the 1990-4 negotiations between the ANC and the white-supremacist regime. As political violence escalated, the battle waged in the shadows became nothing less than a struggle to shape South Africa's future. Counterinsurgency forces recruited spies, deployed death squads, engaged in psychological warfare, and targeted ANC leaders, including MK chief Chris Hani. Even once ANC elites had come to power, apartheid counterinsurgency operations continued to undermine South Africa's new democracy by marginalising MK guerrillas within the 'new' security forces, leaving legacies of violence and instability still felt today.Trade Review'As rigorous--and disturbing--an account of insurgency and counterinsurgency in South Africa as you'll find. Highly recommended.' -- Deane-Peter Baker, Associate Professor of International and Political Studies, UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy'A provocative book raising important questions about the toxic legacies of dysfunctional states' violent repression of insurgencies: authoritarian security elites, urban violence and persistent criminal networks. Douek reaches far beyond South Africa in his analysis and arguments for meaningful security sector reform in post-conflict societies.' -- Sue Onslow, Deputy Director & Reader in Commonwealth History, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London
£27.00
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd Fundamentalism Reborn?: Afghanistan and the
Book SynopsisThis study seeks to penetrate the roots of the Taliban movement on Afghanistan, the factors which contributed to its sudden rise to prominence, and the implications of Taliban mobilization for the stability of Afghanistan and the region.Table of ContentsPart 1 The rise of the Taliban. Part 2 The Taliban and the world. Part 3 The Taliban and the reconstruction of Afganistan. Part 4 Paths to the future.
£23.75
C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd State in Myanmar
Book Synopsis"The State in Myanmar" is a totally revised and expanded and updated version of "The State in Burma" (1987), with additional chapters covering the last twenty years of Myanmar's political history. It attempts to explain the country's current politics in the light of the historical evolution of state-society relations in Myanmar since the pre-colonial kings, through the colonial era to the current, and third, post-colonial regime in this strategically important and little studied South East Asian nation. The book explains the dramatic and unpredicted collapse of the previous socialist regime and the attempts by new and old political forces to wrest control of the state from a revitalised and increasingly confident military government. Myanmar's state builders have applied varying ideas in their attempts to fashion a stable political order in an often fractious and far from unified nation and "The State in Myanmar" places those experiences in comparative perspective.Trade Review'a well researched, masterly presentation of political, economic and social developments in Burma. ... will no doubt become a standard reference work.' - The Round TableTable of ContentsContents Introduction The Precolonial State The Rationalisation of the State, 1825-1942 Politics under the Rationalised State, 1886-1942 Reasserting the State, 1962-87 The State Redux (1985-2007)
£27.00
New Clarion Press Consensus or Coercion?: The State, the People and
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£9.71
New Clarion Press Consensus or Coercion?: The State, the People and
Book Synopsis
£22.50
Corporate Watch Targeting Israeli Apartheid: A Boycott,
Book Synopsis
£11.78
Muddy Pearl Nation in Transit: A Manifesto for Post-Brexit
Book SynopsisIn 2011, the borough of Thurrock in Essex stepped into the national spotlight when it came bottom of the national league table for life satisfaction. By 2015 that disaffection and anger had boiled over into political insurrection, and Thurrock led Britain out of the door of the EU with one of the highest 'leave' votes in the country. Starting from the underlying causes of the mass dissatisfaction that brought us to here, this book spells out a clear vision for what a post-Brexit Britain should look like. From unemployment to immigration, council estates to the banking industry, and local communities to the global environment, it takes a long, hard look at what really creates the conditions for people and communities to flourish and why we're just not feeling it as a nation. The answers combine radical political ideas with grass roots Essex reality; because if the solutions don't work for White Van Man then they probably won't work at all.
£14.99
Luath Press Ltd Tackling Timorous Economics: How Scotland's
Book SynopsisTimorous: adj, 1) shy, not bold 2) easily frightened. Economics: n, social science concerned with the production and consumption of goods and services. What is the best way to run a country? How long should a person be obliged to work every day? What will the economy look like after Brexit? In this new take on the Scottish economy, experts Trebeck, Boyd and Kerevan address how our economy can serve us, as opposed to the people serving the economy. They believe that current economic policies are not aligned with what we as people need in these times of rampant inequality and inequitable distribution, advocating an increased focus on the quality of Scotland’s economy. Using Scotland as an example for the economic workings of any country, Tackling Timorous Economics shows a better way of how economics could work for us.Trade Review…of interest well beyond Scotland’s borders … it will challenge you to reflect on your own views on big issues like inequality and economic policy. - W David McCausland, The ConversationTable of ContentsIntroduction: Our Economic System is broken. We need a new one. Katherine Trebeck Towards a ‘for everyone economy’? Katherine Trebeck Do we really want a more equal Scotland? Stephen Boyd No Timorous Beasties Here! George Kerevan
£9.49
Haus Publishing Commons and Lords: A Short Anthropology of
Book SynopsisThe Westminster Parliament is worth closer scrutiny not just for the sake of democracy, but on intellectual grounds because the surprises it contains challenge our understanding of politics. Based on anthropological fieldwork between 1998-2000 in the House of Lords and 2011-2013 in the House of Commons and constituencies, this Curiosity explains how relationships within the two Houses are utterly different from their surface appearances. The high social status of peers in the House of Lords gives the impression of hierarchy and, more specifically, patriarchy. In contrast, the Commons conjures assumptions of equality and fairness between members of the lower House. But observation of the everyday relationships within the two Houses reveals the opposite: while the Lords has an egalitarian and co-operative ethos, and women thrive in the upper House, the competitive and aggressive Commons is a far less comfortable place for women. Paradoxically MPs have to be both an individual, serving their constituents, and a symbol of a collective, their political party. The inevitable messiness of representative politics, and the disappointment it brings, are both the virtue and weakness of parliamentary democracy. Emma Crewe looks beneath the surface and uncovers its surprises and secrets.
£9.49
Haus Publishing Cabinet's Finest Hour: The Hidden Agenda of May
Book SynopsisUsing the Cabinet papers from the National Archives, former Foreign Secretary David Owen has written a new history of the pivotal British War Cabinet meetings of May 1940. Eight months into the war defeat seemed to many a certainty. With the United States and Russia over a year away from entering the conflict, Britain found herself in a perilous and lonely position. The Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax was pushing Churchill, his Prime Minister, to explore the possibility of a negotiated peace with Hitler, using Mussolini as a conduit. Ignored in Churchill's later account of the con--flict, the question before the War Cabinet was straightforward: should Britain fight on in the face of overwhelming odds, sacrificing hundreds of thousands of lives, or seek a negotiated peace? The minutes of these meetings reveal just how close Halifax came to convincing the Cabinet that negotiations should be sought.Trade ReviewAn exciting, though-provoking read, with profound contemporary as well as historical relevance Andrew Roberts; David Owen has thought deeply about these issues - and is always worth reading Dominic Lawson; Cabinet's Finest Hour is a fascinating read Bernard Donoughue
£13.49
Luath Press Ltd The Scottish Parliament: At Twenty
Book SynopsisBased on the research of a small advisory group formed of key figures in the Scottish Parliament, Jim Johnston and James Mitchell use their extensive experience of Scottish politics to discuss ideas about the Parliament’s future. Sir Paul Grice, Holyrood chief executive, is chairing the advisory group which includes members such as former PO George Reid, Caroline Gardner (Auditor General), Louise MacDonald (chief exec Young Scot), and Sarah Davidson (civil servant). Made up of a series of short essays, this book discusses vital issues such as public engagement, key challenges for the Parliament arising from issues such as Brexit, and what we can learn from the past. This book is truly essential read in this uncertain but exciting time for Scottish politics.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements 7 Open the Doors! EDWIN MORGAN 8 Foreword: KEN MACINTOSH MSP 11 Introduction: JIM JOHNSTON AND JAMES MITCHELL 13 1 Doing Right by the Common Weal BERNARD PONSONBY 23 Dear Scottish Parliament... Alicja Hertmanowska 32 2 A Building Which is More Than a Building GILLIAN BAXENDINE 33 Dear Scottish Parliament... 43 3 A Tale of Two Parliaments LEE BRIDGES 44 4 The MSP’s Role ALAN CONVERY AND DAVID PARKER 54 Dear Scottish Parliament... Claire Hossack 64 5 Parliament and Business: An Unfulfilled Relationship? MICHAEL CROW 65 Dear Scottish Parliament... Dionne Hossack 76 6 People-Powered Politics FIONA DUNCAN 77 7 Local Government and the Scottish Parliament: Parity of Esteem? ALISON EVISON 89 Dear Scottish Parliament... Ellie Gauld 99 8 Scrutiny and Transparency CAROLINE GARDNER 101 Dear Scottish Parliament... Emma Cook 112 9 Raising Taxes CHARLOTTE BARBOUR AND MORIA KELLY 113 10 Twenty Years of Devolution: Small Steps Towards Equality, But We Need Big Leaps TALAT YAQOOB 127 Dear Scottish Parliament... Etieno Essien 136 11 Some Questions on Sovereignty and Free Speech CHARLES ROBERT 137 Dear Scottish Parliament... Ewan Carmichael 149 12 A New Voice in the Land JIM WALLACE 150 Dear Scottish Parliament... Hope Teal 160 13 The Role of Law CHRISTINE O'NEILL 161 14 The Scottish Economy: Fiscal Challenges and Opportunities GRAEME ROY AND DAVID EISER 170 Dear Scottish Parliament... Quinn Muirhead 180 15 Principles and Practices of the Good Parliament: Babyleave, Institutional Resistance and Change SARAH CHILDS 181 Dear Scottish Parliament... Robyn Gibson 190 16 Look, Listen: This is Who We Are JAMES ROBERTSON 191 Conclusion: The Scottish Parliament in a Changing World JIM JOHNSTON AND JAMES MITCHELL 201 Appendix: A User’s Guide to the Scottish Parliament ELIZABETH CANTLIE AND ANDREW AITON 210 Contributor Biographies 219
£9.49
Haus Publishing An Extraordinary Scandal: The Westminster
Book SynopsisFeaturing interviews with the MPs, journalists and officials close to the centre of Britain's biggest political crisis since the Profumo Affair, this is the story of what really happened during the expenses scandal of 2009. Andrew Walker, the tax expert who oversaw the parliamentary expenses system, and Emma Crewe, a social scientist specialising in the institutions of parliament, bring a fascinating insider/outsider perspective to this account. Far from an apologia, An Extraordinary Scandal explains how parliament fell out of step with the electorate and became a victim of its own remote institutional logic, at odds with an increasingly open, meritocratic society. Charting the crisis from its 1990s origins - when Westminster began, too slowly, to respond to wider societal changes - to its aftermath in 2010, the authors examine how the scandal aggravated the developing crisis of trust between the British electorate and Westminster politicians that continues to this day. Their in-depth research reveals new insight into how the expenses scandal gave us a taste of what was to come, and where its legacy can be traced in the new age of mistrust and outrage, in which politicians are often unfairly vulnerable to being charged in the `court' of public opinion by those they represent.
£17.00
Palgrave Macmillan Deliberating War
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£37.99
de Gruyter Krieg Der Narrative
Book Synopsis
£37.39
Mohr Siebeck GmbH & Co. K Kontroverse Richtungsentscheidungen in der Politik
£68.00
