Politics and government Books

Book SynopsisWITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHORIn ''70s'' South Africa, Rian Malan descendant of the architects of apartheid, middle-class white boy, friend to blacks went to work as a crime reporter for a local Johannesburg rag. There he encountered first-hand the horrors wrought by apartheid: the poverty, injustice and violence. After an eight-year exile, he returned to write this book. With gripping stories and in mesmerising prose, this is Malan's attempt to understand his country, its racial hatred, and his own tortured conscience.Trade ReviewRian Malan has written a tragic masterpiece and a classic of our time * Time Out *My Traitor's Heart is a tremendous book about candour, honour and race, a witness-bearing act of the rarest courage. No one who reads it could ever forget it * Michael Herr *A tortured, mesmerising attempt to capture exactly the conflicts of [Malan’s] upbringing, conflicts that went to the soul of the emerging nation. * Guardian *The remorseless exercise of a reporter's anguished conscience gives us a South Africa we thought we knew all about: but we knew nothing -- John Le CarreA great swirling devil of a book and it is equal in every way to its vast subject - the black and white country of the heart -- Don DeLillo

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Book SynopsisProphets without Honor tells the story of the grueling attempts to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and presents an in-depth examination of the reasons for its resilience. In what is the most non-partisan, comprehensive, and balanced account by an insider representing one of the parties, Shlomo Ben-Ami describes the specific factors that impede a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and sheds light on the dilemmas that stand at the center ofany peace enterprise.Trade ReviewBen-Ami provides a clear-eyed and balanced view of all the options and provides a necessary clearing out of all the worn-out cliches, myths, and shibboleths that have enveloped this long conflict. * Martin Green, Jewish Books Council *I am one of those prophets who lost his honor by ending a war of more than half a century in my country. I did it with the invaluable advice of my good friend Shlomo Ben-Ami, whose profound knowledge and experience in the difficult art of peacemaking is demonstrated in this fascinating book. Anyone who wants to understand the nature and immense complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and why it is so different from any other conflict, must read Prophets without Honor. I certainly learned a lot. * Juan Manuel Santos, 2016 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Former President of Colombia *Ben-Ami combines the skills of a professional historian with first-hand experience of the policymaker to produce a highly readable, illuminating, and riveting account of the Israeli-Palestinian quest for peace. His account is enhanced by vivid pen-portraits of the principal players, perceptive analysis of the obstacles on the road to peace, genuine soul-searching, and a most thoughtful distillation of the lessons of history. The book is a must read for would-be peacemakers and for anyone interested in this bitter, protracted, and intractable conflict. * Avi Shlaim, Emeritus Professor of International Relations, University of Oxford, and author of The Iron Wall *Prophets without Honor is a masterpiece—sad, tragic, and true. Part V, "Defying the Logic of Conflict Resolution," left me breathless, with its transcendent analysis of the Israel-Palestine conundrum within the context of global conflicts. * Daniel Kurtzer, S. Daniel Abraham Professor in Middle East Policy Studies at Princeton University and former U.S. ambassador to Egypt and Israel *In this fascinating, deeply insightful, and painfully honest account of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations and their consequences, Ben-Ami brings the perspective of both an insider negotiator and outsider scholar to understanding the world's best-known intractable conflict. While analyzing the enormous obstacles to progress, he offers nuanced historical lessons that illuminate the long and hard path forward to a possible peace. Highly recommended for all those interested in conflict resolution and Middle Eastern history and politics. * William Ury, coauthor of Getting to Yes and co-founder of Harvard's Program on Negotiation *A keen acolyte of the human condition, Ben-Ami conveys sparkle to a dark, mean and cruel conflict, affords depth to shallow, tragic and devious alley cats, trails a tortuous road to nowhere and delivers lush scholarship to an arid landscape exuding a unique generosity of spirit. A cavernous sense of melancholy casts a deep shadow as if echoing: 'He that increaseth wisdom, increaseth sorrow.' The ghost of Schopenhauer hovers over a scintillating thriller of political psychology. * Hussein Agha, Senior Associate Member of St Antony's College, University of Oxford, and coauthor of A Framework for a Palestinian National Security Doctrine *Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I - The Camp David Process Chapter 1. First Steps, Harsh Truths Chapter 2. "A Secluded Northern Castle" Chapter 3. Back to Square One Chapter 4. The Jordan Valley on the Agenda Chapter 5. Pre-Summit at Andrews Chapter 6. A Conceivable Endgame? Chapter 7. The (Unfulfilled) Promise of an American Steamroller Chapter 8. Misguided Beginnings Chapter 9. Clinton: "We Have Exhausted the Beauty of this Place" Chapter 10. A Gamechanger (or so It Looked..) Chapter 11. O Jerusalem (and Its Lies) Chapter 12. "Arafat is Interested in a Crisis" Chapter 13. Albright's Intermezzo: Clinton's Last Push Chapter 14. Our Faintest Hour Chapter 15. Arafat: "Barak Has Gone Beyond my Partner Rabin" Chapter 16. Making Most of Success Chapter 17. Moments of Grace at Precipice Edge Chapter 18. "With Our Blood and Soul We'll Redeem Palestine" Chapter 19. A Savage War for Peace? Chapter 20. Trapped in No-Win Conditions Chapter 21. Unable to Either Inspire or Intimidate Chapter 22. Arafat: "We Have to Work Quickly and Seriously" Chapter 23. The Clinton Peace Parameters Chapter 24. "A Crime Against the Palestinian People" Chapter 25. Barak in a Cage of Doves Chapter 26. Taba: "The Boss Doesn't want an Agreement" Chapter 27. Post Mortem Part II - Defying the Logic of Conflict Resolution Chapter 28. A Story of Promise and Deceit ( 2001- 2020 ) Chapter 29. The Occupation's Traits of Permanence Chapter 30. The Insoluble Paradox of the Two-State Solution Chapter 31. Ominous Denouements Chapter 32. Exit Oslo, Enter Madrid: The Jordanian - Palestinian Option Chapter 33. A Comparative Perspective Epilogue Bibliography Maps: Last Peace Offer at Camp David, July 2000 The Clinton Peace Parameters, December 2000 The Israeli Territorial Offer at Taba, 2001 The Palestinian Territorial Offer at Taba The Israeli Territorial Proposal, Annapolis 2008 West Bank Jewish and Palestinian Localities The Geneva Initiative Peace Plan, 2003 Sahul Arieli's Optimal Peace Map Ehud Olmert's Unilateral Convergence Plan, 2006 The Allon Plan

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Book SynopsisBest Books of 2022: Financial Times Best Non-Fiction Books of 2022: De Tijd Shortlisted for Financial Times Best Business Book of the YearThe most sweeping account of how neoliberalism came to dominate American politics for nearly a half century before crashing against the forces of Trumpism on the right and a new progressivism on the left.The epochal shift toward neoliberalism-a web of related policies that, broadly speaking, reduced the footprint of government in society and reassigned economic power to private market forces-that began in the United States and Great Britain in the late 1970s fundamentally changed the world. Today, the word neoliberal is often used to condemn a broad swath of policies, from prizing free market principles over people to advancing privatization programs in developing nations around the world.To be sure, neoliberalism has contributed to a number of alarming trends, not least of which has been a massive growth in income inequality. Yet as the eminent historian Gary Gerstle argues in The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order, these indictments fail to reckon with the full contours of what neoliberalism was and why its worldview had such persuasive hold on both the right and the left for three decades. As he shows, the neoliberal order that emerged in America in the 1970s fused ideas of deregulation with personal freedoms, open borders with cosmopolitanism, and globalization with the promise of increased prosperity for all. Along with tracing how this worldview emerged in America and grew to dominate the world, Gerstle explores the previously unrecognized extent to which its triumph was facilitated by the collapse of the Soviet Union and its communist allies. He is also the first to chart the story of the neoliberal order''s fall, originating in the failed reconstruction of Iraq and Great Recession of the Bush years and culminating in the rise of Trump and a reinvigorated Bernie Sanders-led American left in the 2010s.An indispensable and sweeping re-interpretation of the last fifty years, this book illuminates how the ideology of neoliberalism became so infused in the daily life of an era, while probing what remains of that ideology and its political programs as America enters an uncertain future.Trade ReviewFascinating and incisive. * Jennifer Szalai, The New York Times *Enlightening . . . Gerstle carefully recreates the new order Reagan wanted . . . [and] emphasizes its market side . . . [A] fine book. * The New York Times Book Review *It's rare that one can use the term instant classic in a book review, but Gary Gerstle's latest economic history, The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order, warrants the praise. * Rana Foroohar, Financial Times *Gerstle offers a rich and sophisticated discussion of neoliberalism . . . an important and beautifully written book. * The Washington Post *His American focus might also finally allow British readers to escape their factional trenches and appreciate the shape of neoliberalism. It is a terrific service . . . . a joy to read. * Tom Clark, Prospect *Masterfully blends compelling analysis with a propulsive narrative. * Irish Times *Brilliantly conceived, capaciously argued, and written with great clarity . . . For those interested in a meaningful historical perspective on where we are now, I can think of no better book. * Steven Hahn, The Nation *A cogent, erudite historical analysis. * Kirkus Reviews *[A] splendid and stimulating history of neo-liberalism's rise and possible 'fall.' * Australian Book Review *This book is an interesting account of what is exceptional about "America". * Michael Laver, Society *Essential reading. * Adam Tooze, author of Crashed *One of the smartest, most perceptive books I've read in years. * Christopher Leonard, author of The Lords of Easy Money *Anyone baffled at how the U.S. could possibly have moved over a half-century from embracing a state-centered New Deal to relentlessly unraveling it will be greatly enlightened by Gerstle's beautifully written, engrossing, and powerful telling of the rise of the neoliberal order. And some may take heart from his claim that it too is in free-fall, albeit leaving behind enduring vestiges of free market orthodoxy. I know no better guide to the complex transformations that have shaped our own times. * Lizabeth Cohen, Howard Mumford Jones Professor of American Studies, Harvard University, and author of Saving America's Cities *Gerstle's important book offers us an illuminating and rich interpretation of the power and popularity of neoliberalism in America. A true history of the movement, situating neoliberalism in relation to classical liberalism, the New Deal and global Communism. Essential reading. * Adam Tooze, Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of History, Columbia University *Expertly synthesizing a vast body of new scholarship—on international trade, the Cold War, race, polarization, Ralph Nader, the labor movement, and the rise of conservatism—Gary Gerstle delivers the most compendious and commanding history of neoliberal America to date. Along the way he opens new windows on the unexpected collaboration between Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich in deregulating America into the internet future. Gerstle also provides the best account I've read of how neoliberal" came to be the word of choice for an order that promises liberation and delivers subjection, that divides our two parties on some issues but conjoins them on others. * Corey Robin, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center *Among the foremost chroniclers of the American past, Gary Gerstle deploys in this bold book the powerful notion of 'political order' to examine our most recent history—the past forty years when the nation fastened its fortunes to marketization, global economic integration, a harsh penal state and sharpening inequality. By charting the rise and fall of the neoliberal order, this fast-paced account helps us make sense of the arch of American history from Ronald Reagan to Bernie Sanders, from Bill Clinton to Donald Trump. A must read for anyone interested in the world we inhabit today, with all its mortal dangers and yet-to-be fulfilled promises. * Sven Beckert, Laird Bell Professor of History, Harvard University *Gary Gerstle offers a brilliant, engaging, and provocative first-draft history of the last half century, a period sorely in need of scrutiny. With characteristic big-think flair, he shows that the neoliberal wisdom of that era—that markets would bring democracy, that the age of big government was over—emerged from specific historical forces and circumstances. He also suggests that many of those ideas can and should now be consigned to the past. * Beverly Gage, Professor of History & American Studies, Yale University *Just beneath the surface of our fractured and polarized polity, Gary Gerstle argues that there has been a Neoliberal Order under which both parties worked in the 1990s and early 2000s. Even as they bitterly disagreed, the nation's political debate moved far away from the class-based pillars of the New Deal. In another of his characteristically eye-opening analyses, Gerstle takes readers through the rise and fall of the political order that has shaped our leaders and electorate—that is, until powerful forces over the past decade, on the right and left, have opened the door to a new era. * Julian Zelizer, author of Abraham Joshua Heschel *Gerstle, a political historian specializing in contemporary history of the U.S., provides a comprehensive political history of the U.S. over the past six decades (Gerstle 2022)...Full of revelations. * Thomas König, Austrian Journal of Political Science *Southern historians might best use it as a provocation for graduate students regarding the role of the South in the rise and decline of neoliberalism. * William D. Goldsmith, Journal of Southern History *Gerstle's book has achieved the rare feat of both critical success and popular acclaim, having been shortlisted for the FT Business Book of the Year Award in 2022. It deserves it. * The OEconomia *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Part I: The New Deal Order, 1930-1980 Chapter 1: Rise Chapter 2: Fall Part II: The Neoliberal Order, 1970-2020 Chapter 3: Beginnings Chapter 4: Ascent Chapter 5: Triumph Chapter 6: Hubris Chapter 7: Coming Apart Chapter 8: The End Notes Index

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Book SynopsisAppointments to the United States Supreme Court are now central events in American political life. Every vacancy unleashes a bitter struggle between Republicans and Democrats over nominees; and once the seat is filled, new justices typically vote in predictable ways. However, this has not always been the case. As late as the middle of the twentieth century, presidents invested little time and effort in finding and vetting nominees, often selecting personal cronies, who senators briskly confirmed. Media coverage was desultory, public opinion was largely non-existent, and the justices often voted independently and erratically. In Making the Supreme Court, Charles M. Cameron and Jonathan P. Kastellec examine 90 years of American political history to show how the growth of federal judicial power from the 1930s onward inspired a multitude of groups struggling to shape judicial policy. Over time, some groups moved beyond lobbying the Court to changing who sits on it. Other groups formed exprTrade ReviewMaking the Supreme Court uses judicial nominees to investigate larger changes in American politics over the last century, enduring questions about the administrative state, political parties, citizens, interest groups, and lobbying-not to mention nettlesome debates about voter rationality, the downstream effects of partisan polarization, and plenty more besides. Keenly perceptive and abundantly inquisitive, Cameron and Kastellec have delivered a tour de force that is sure to have a major impact on our understanding of all of American politics. * William Howell, Sydney Stein Professor in American Politics, The University of Chicago *Making the Supreme Court is a game changer. It describes and analyzes the entire appointments process with the goal of explaining why Supreme Court nominations transformed from low to high salience events, and how this transformation affects the contemporary court. Because, on the authors' account, the transformation touched every aspect of the process-from the president's approach to selecting nominees to the media's coverage of the proceedings-an expansive approach was required. And Cameron and Kastellec take on the task with gusto. For each change they posit, they dig in, ultimately developing a compelling mix of evidence connecting the transformation to the Court and its decisions-meaning that Making the Supreme Court's contributions transcend the selection of justices; the results help us make sense of the behavior of the contemporary court. * Lee Epstein, University Professor of Law and Political Science, University of Southern California *An exemplary analysis of a hugely important political phenomenon: the evolution of a strongly partisan, and likely, very stable court. How did this happen? The authors argue that the answer is found in appointment politics, writ large. Supreme Court appointments are examined and explained systemically, from the vantages of presidents, senators, justices, media, voters, the past, present, and the futures too. Powerful analytic tools and models are developed and deployed, alternative theories are carefully examined and eliminated, and the results are persuasive. Making the Supreme Court is a definitive account that seems likely to last as long as the current court majority. * John A. Ferejohn, Samuel Tilden Professor of Law, New York University School of Law *Cameron and Kastellec's Making the Supreme Court is deeply researched and thought-out, and both theoretically and historically sophisticated. It will in short order become the key work on Supreme Court appointment politics. * Josh Chafetz, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center *Table of ContentsI. What Happened Then and Now The Party Demands: Party Agendas for the Supreme Court Selecting How to Select: Presidents and Organizational Design The Candidates for the Court and the Nominees Interest Groups The Media, co-authored with Leeann Bass and Julian Dean Public Opinion Decision in the Senate II. Why it Happened The Logic of Presidential Selection, co-authored with Lauren Mattioli What the Public Wanted Voting in the Shadow of Accountability: Senators' Confirmation Decisions III. How It Matters, and What the Future Holds New Politics, New Justices, New Policies: The Courts That Politics Made The Future: The Courts that Politics May Make What Future Do We Want? Evaluating Judicial Independence Conclusion

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

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Book SynopsisPublic administration ensures the development and delivery of the essential public services required for sustaining modern civilization. Covering areas from public safety and social welfare to transportation and education, the services provided through the public sector are inextricably part of our daily lives. However, mandatory budgetary cuts in recent years have caused public administrators to radically re-think how they govern in the modern age. In this Very Short Introduction Stella Theodoulou and Ravi Roy offer practical insight into the major challenges confronting the public sector in the globalized era. Tackling some of the most hotly debated issues of our time, including the privatization of public services and government surveillance, they take the reader on a global journey through history to examine the origins, development, and continued evolution of public administration. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewA crisp, surprisingly thorough, and highly-readable historical/developmental overview of public administration world-wideâits inclusion of trends and examples from countries around the globe makes this volume a unique contribution to the literature of our field. * Professor Steve Ott, Director at the Institute of Public and International Affairs, University of Utah *Table of Contents1: A contemporary overview 2: The journey from Westphalia to Philadelphia 3: Progressive reform across the globe 4: The rise of the modern welfare state 5: The New Public Management goes global 6: The new administrative age 7: Globalization and the rise of network governance 8: The future of public administration References and Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisA policy-focused approach to understanding the role of interest groups in US municipal governments. Local politics in the United States once seemed tranquil compared to the divisiveness and dysfunction of the country's national politics. Those days have passed. As multiple wide-ranging crises have thrust America's local governments into the spotlight, they have also exposed policy failures and systemic problems that have mounted for years. While issues such as policing and the cost of housing are debated nationally, much of the policymaking surrounding these issues occurs locally. In Local Interests, Sarah F. Anzia explores how local governmentsand the interest groups that try to influence themcreate the policies that drive the national conversation: policing, economic development, housing, and challenges of taxing and spending. Anzia examines local interest groups in terms of the specific policies they pursue, including how these groups get active in politics and what impact they hTrade Review"This innovative book studies the influence of interest groups on the workings of city governments in the US....This book is a needed corrective to studies on political interest groups and reinforces the importance of local elections to the national electoral process." * Choice *"Anzia convincingly and provocatively shows that local governments are a better arena to study interest groups than federal ones...this is a highly innovative and impactful must-read." * Mobilization *"Do interest groups promote democracy by representing the views of their constituents before government, or do they distort democracy because such representation is skewed in favor of those with great resources? In her important and ambitious new book, Anzia addresses this question squarely, offering a new approach to measuring the impact of interest groups....Local Interests is a resolutely statistical work, as Anzia harnesses the power of her large database to map out the interaction between lobbies and city governments." * Perspectives on Politics *"Local Interests enters a realm of politics that, while dynamic and contested, operates differently from the partisan and ideological frames that are second nature to most Americans. By unveiling the distinctive character of local political life and the interest groups that shape it, Anzia has made a major contribution." * City Journal *"Local Interests shows that there is a gold mine of promising interest group research to be had that focuses on America’s cities and counties....Local Interests lends academic rigor to this common knowledge and pushes forward a promising new school of thought centered on interest groups among public policy researchers." * Interest Groups & Advocacy *"An incredibly important, field changing book. Anzia offers a completely novel description of what goes on in modern city politics. She effectively counters the (persistent) belief that local government activity is apolitical, custodial, or issueless by showing that groups have identifiable interests in local policy outcomes, and that they actively work to achieve those goals. Anzia is a gifted writer and an even more gifted thinker; she offers deep insights in every chapter." -- Jessica Trounstine, University of California, Merced"Local Interests will be the definitive account of interest group influence in local government. The book is original and sound, assessing the relationships between the strength of business, labor, and other groups and public policy choices—from hot topics like police body cameras to less salient but critical areas like business tax incentives." -- Matt Grossmann, Michigan State UniversityTable of ContentsChapter 1. Interest Groups and Public Policy in US Local Government Chapter 2. The Policy-Focused Approach to Studying Interest Groups Chapter 3. How Active Are Interest Groups in Local Politics? Chapter 4. What Kinds of Interest Groups Are Most Active? Chapter 5. Political Parties in Local Politics Chapter 6. Influence: Issues, Approach, and Expectations Chapter 7. Business and Growth Chapter 8. Unions, Public Safety, and Local Government Spending Chapter 9. Interest Group Influence in Local Elections Chapter 10. Local Interests and Power Acknowledgments Notes Index

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Book SynopsisPAUL DIXON is Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Kingston, UK.

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Book SynopsisNow with a new paperback introduction''Vital reading'' Daily Telegraph''It turns conventional wisdom on its head'' Peter Oborne''Uniquely insightful'' Sunday Times''Eloquent, calm and clever'' Andrew MarrBritain has often found groups within its borders whom it does not trust, whom it feels have a belief, culture, practice or agenda which runs contrary to those of the majority. From Catholics to Jews, miners to trade unionists , Marxists to liberals and even homosexuals, all have at times been viewed, described and treated as ''the enemy within''. Muslims are the latest in a long line of ''others'' to be given this label. How did this state of affairs come to pass? What are the lessons and challenges for the future - and how will the tale of Muslim Britain develop? Sayeeda Warsi draws on her own unique position in British life, as the child of Pakistani immigrants, an outsider, who became an insider, the UK''s first Trade ReviewIslamophobia is the Ku Klux Klan hatred of our time. This book is an antidote to the hypocrisy around Islam that has become such a poison in our public life. Warsi holds everyone - the state, the press, our Muslim communities - to the same standards of integrity and self-reflection. It throws down a gauntlet for all of us: to read it, understand it, and argue with it, with as much good faith as the author's -- Clive Stafford Smith, Director of Reprieve and author of 'Bad Men' and 'Injustice'Forthright and intelligent ... By tackling the "Muslim problem" head on, Lady Warsi has added to her accomplishments the feat of speaking truth to power ... It is as enjoyable to read about her devout, enlightened mother as about the pivotal points in her political career ... Thrilling and satisfying -- Leila Aboulela * Guardian *The Enemy Within is such a comprehensive analysis it should be on the school syllabus as seminal ... It is only through the likes of Sayeeda Warsi that the UK stands any chance of establishing the social cohesion it needs with its Muslim population -- Sir Alan DuncanEloquent ... Calm and clever reflection -- Andrew MarrUniquely insightful -- Tim Shipman * Sunday Times *A unique perspective on British multiculturalism -- Afua Hirsch * Guardian *The Enemy Within is vital reading for decision-makers in Whitehall and Fleet Street. It shows that we need more of the quality that terrorists signally lack: empathy with those different from ourselves -- Sameer Rahim * Telegraph *A hard headed, well-informed and intellectually coherent analysis of policy towards British Islam. Much of what Baroness Warsi reveals is deeply shocking. Again and again it turns conventional wisdom on its head. It deserves to promote a public debate on this subject which has been needed for more than 20 years -- Peter OborneTimely and thoughtful -- Jenni Russell * Sunday Times *[Warsi is] a trailblazer ... [She] writes with conviction * Spectator *Sayeeda Warsi's integrity, intelligence and deep understanding of the challenges confronting the Muslim communities, the government and wider society make this a politically charged and invigorating read. A vital book at a critical time -- Helena Kennedy QCSayeeda Warsi traces the recent travails of British Islam through her own remarkable journey from a working-class childhood in Yorkshire to a seat at the Cabinet table. She is an unsparing critic, whether of Muslims who practise intolerance or media-driven politicians who find virtue in "non-engagement". But the conclusion of this thoughtful and passionate book offers hope amid the gloom: with fresh policies and a dash of courage, the beast of division can be starved, and Britain strengthened to make its way in the world -- David Anderson QC, Independent Reviewer of Terrorism LegislationThe book is a masterpiece of fine writing and wisdom. It is timely and much needed in rebutting the myths and fears that spread Islamophobia. It reaffirms the values of equal citizenship, free speech and the rule of law in our multicultural society. It is a wake-up call and a manifesto for politicians and media in combatting religious and racial discrimination -- Lord Lester of Herne Hill QCCompelling brave and honest -- Shazia Awan (Broadcaster and Activist)The Enemy Within has a refreshingly balanced approach - constructive critique of Muslim communities and government - and workable recommendations -- Salma YaqoobEngaging , thought provoking and a must read book by a trailblazer -- Qari Asim (Leading UK Imaam and Member of HM Government's Sharia Review)

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Book SynopsisThe second edition of this introductory textbook provides students with an overarching understanding of social, political, and economic institutions of six South Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Using democracy as a prism, it evaluates the varied opportunities and constraints facing these states.Key features include: Introduction to the region The history and development of these South Asian states, including evaluations of their democratic trajectories The management of conflict, economic development, and extremist threats A comparative analysis of the states Projections concerning democracy given evolving challenges The textbook is an indispensable teaching tool for courses on South Asia. It includes pedagogical features such as political chronologies, political party descriptions, text boxes, a glossary, and suggestions for further reading. It is written in an accessible style by country experts, thus offering students of South Asian politics a valuable introduction to an exceedingly diverse and complicated region.Trade ReviewFrom the first edition:"This engaging and nuanced volume provides a comprehensive and balanced survey of the region and countries of South Asia. The well-researched and written ‘state of the art’ chapters make this an indispensable resource for students, researchers, and laypersons." Shalendra D. Sharma, Professor in the Department of Politics, University of San Francisco, USA"An Introduction to South Asian Politics provides a timely assessment of democratic development in the region. Neil DeVotta has assembled a group of experts who each provide an excellent account of their case. As well as providing comprehensive background coverage the chapters are leavened by perceptive insights based on the authors’ specialist research. Readers will get a solid understanding of how the states of South Asia are changing and how they are integrated at the regional level." Andrew Wyatt, Senior Lecturer, University of Bristol, UKPraise for the 1st edition"This engaging and nuanced volume provides a comprehensive and balanced survey of the region and countries of South Asia. The well-researched and written ‘state of the art’ chapters make this an indispensable resource for students, researchers, and laypersons." --Shalendra D. Sharma, Professor in the Department of Politics, University of San Francisco, USA"An Introduction to South Asian Politics provides a timely assessment of democratic development in the region. Neil DeVotta has assembled a group of experts who each provide an excellent account of their case. As well as providing comprehensive background coverage the chapters are leavened by perceptive insights based on the authors’ specialist research. Readers will get a solid understanding of how the states of South Asia are changing and how they are integrated at the regional level." --Andrew Wyatt, Senior Lecturer, University of Bristol, UKTable of Contents1. An overview; 2. India; 3. Pakistan; 4. Bangladesh; 5. Sri Lanka; 6. Nepal; 7. Afghanistan; Glossary; Index

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Book SynopsisAs one of the most enduring and bitter struggles we have seen in over 100 years, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a powder keg, always on the verge of exploding and drawing in the wider region, the international community at large, and, in particular, the U.S. Although the conflict is of far-reaching importance, among college students and the general public there is a dearth of knowledge about it. Many of the conversations in these audiences are animated by ongoing myths and problematic talking points. This book fills in the gaps of understanding while puncturing false dichotomies and tearing down walls of ideology or indifference. It addresses perennial questions including: When and why did the conflict start? What exactly are the claims of the contending sides? Why does peace seem unattainable? What is a likely long-term outcome and how can it be brought about in a peaceful way, doing justice to both sides? Finally, this book maintains that historic Palestine, the land between

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Book SynopsisA visionary examination of the deteriorating ability of the U.S. and other global powers to shape the world in their image, and the end of the world order they sought.

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Book SynopsisStuff happens... And it''s untidy, and freedom''s untidy, and free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things.''The famous response of American Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to the looting of Baghdad at a press conference in 2003 provides the title for David Hare''s play about the extraordinary process leading up to the invasion of Iraq.Stuff Happens premiered at the National Theatre, London, in 2004 and has subsequently been performed around the world.''Stuff Happens may make you openly boo, hiss, cheer or even cry, but it will also remind you why this 2,500 year-old art form remains the best way for human beings to collectively experience and contemplate the effects of war.'' Los Angeles Times''A totally compelling play that ruthlessly exposes the dubious premises on which the Iraq war was fought... One comes out enriched, informed and moved by Hare''s ability to turn recent politics into

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Book SynopsisThe paperback of this fascinating and entertaining social history of politics and alcoholTrade Review'Like being the only sober guest at an uproarious party' Sunday Times'A thoroughly enjoyable, comprehensive book' Harry Mount, Times Literary Supplement'An entertaining history of political drinking' The Times'Fast-paced and witty... unputdownable' The Lady'A corker... the dourest of Scots felt obliged to pretend to be a beer drinker, but harboured a private penchant for champagne, and could knock back a glass in one great gulp' Telegraph'An entertaining book... often funny, though not without sombre appraisals of many curtailed careers and damaged lives' Prospect'A fascinating account of politics and drink... informative and entertaining' Alistair Campbell'A breezy, anecdote-rich and instructive survey of booze and politics' The National'Well researched and breezily told, Wright's book is an enjoyable romp' New Criterion'Alcohol has always lubricated political life... [Order, Order!] is about the British experience with examples of careers enhanced and destroyed by booze' Keith Simpson MP's Summer Reading List, Total Politics

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Book SynopsisThe Real Politics of the Horn of Africa delves into the business of politics in the turbulent, war-torn countries of north-east Africa. It is a contemporary history of how politicians, generals and insurgents bargain over money and power, and use of war to achieve their goals.Trade Review"The foremost Western analyst of the Horn of Africa, Alex de Waal provides a superb account of the region's highly interdependent and often troubling politics. He combines an anthropologist's attention to local contexts with a political economist's analysis of transnational entanglements of markets, power struggles, and war. Often disturbing, even though de Waal seeks reasons to be hopeful, but a must read." Craig Calhoun, London School of Economics and Political Science "An outstanding book. The author's knowledge of the topic and region is unrivalled, and enlivened and enlightened by his personal experience and anecdotes" Pádraig Carmody, Trinity College, DublinTable of Contents Introduction: Observing the business of power The Political Marketplace: Politics is Business and Business is Politics The Horn of Africa: Subcontinental war in three acts Darfur: The auction of loyalties Sudan: Managing the unmanageable South Sudan: The boom and bust of a speculative bubble Somalia: A post-apocalypse workshop Somaliland: A business-social contract Eritrea: A museum of modernism Ethiopia: Is state-building still possible? Transnational Patronage: Shadow globalization and the regional marketplace The Politics of Ideas: Perplexed intellectuals and policymakers

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Book SynopsisReveals how the author chose to abandon her ambition to become Prime Minister in favour of another ambition - to have a life.Trade Review'Oona King delivers the most intimate political diary ever ... the Bridget Jones of the Commons' Mail on Sunday 'Painfully honest, frequently hilarious ... She tells her story with humility, wisdom and considerable wit' Guardian 'Pacy, perceptive, frank, funny, free of the sludge of most political diaries. This is authentic Oona. It would make a good novel - but people would think it a little far-fetched' Neil Kinnock 'Tremendous - funny, revelatory, and above all authentic' David Hare

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

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

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Book SynopsisThis is both the first systematic introduction to Discourse Studies for students and scholars of social movements and a study of discourses on the European refugee crisis, by leading theorist, Teun A. van Dijk.Concrete examples of different kinds of discourse are vital for the study of social movements because their activities are not limited to such well-known forms of contention as marches, occupations or strikes, but also daily discursive activities, such as meetings, assemblies, interviews, press conferences, manifestos, pamphlets, banners, graffiti, websites, blogs, social media posts and everyday talk.This book proposes that empirical analyses of these discourses should go beyond the popular but vague notion of frameand engage in more detailed and explicit analyses of the text and talk of social movements.This is a much-needed introduction to the most important structures of discourse and a detailed theoretical account of the notion of solidarity defining the RefTrade Review"What a wonderful book! A timely resource for researchers working in both discourse analysis and social movement studies. Van Dijk does what he has always done, showing us clear ways to throw light on the identities, norms, values, emotions and ideologies that can be buried in communication. Notably for the times in which we live, this is a highly optimistic book, which foregrounds what has been, and is being, achieved in the name of openness, equality, rights and compassion."Professor David Machin, Institute of Corpus Studies and Applications, Shanghai International Studies University, China"In this enormously valuable introduction to the field of discourse studies, Teun van Dijk reviews diverse approaches for studying talk in movements, showing just what each can contribute to our understanding of key dynamics of mobilization. In the process, he extends his masterful work on the language of power and the language of resistance to that of solidarity. A signal contribution."Francesca Polletta, Chancellor's Professor of Sociology, University of California, Irvine "Written by a legend of the Critical Discourse Analysis tradition, this is a majestic piece of scholarship that reframes the field of social movement research from the perspective of text and discourse. Offering a systematic framework for the study of social movement communication as well as an insightful analysis of the argumentative structures of contemporary discourse on refugees, this is indispensable reading for scholars not only in Linguistics and Social Movement Studies but also across the humanities and the social sciences." Prof. Lilie Chouliaraki, Chair in Media and Communications in the Department of Media and Communications, LSE"Thirty years ago, sociologists and political scientists brought the concepts of frames and framing to the field of social movement and protest research, and soon these ideas became the dominant ways of talking about cultural, ideational, and discursive influences. Teun A. van Dijk’s new book, Social Movement Discourse, offers a linguist’s critique of this corpus from the standpoint of discourse, text, and cognition. Importantly, his discourse-analytic perspective directs attention to the empirical grounding of framing approaches in talk, text, and speech situations. Now in the 2020s, as methods of big-data analyses are poised to transform the study of movement discourses, van Dijk’s monograph offers a critical look that can inspire new generations of researchers interested in the words, meaning, interpretation, and discursive contexts of social movements." Hank Johnston, Professor of Sociology and Editor, Routledge Series on Social Movements"Much more than an introduction to discourse analysis for social movement scholars, this extremely useful book, written by a most influential scholar in the field, provides stimulating discussions on how the study of style, rhetoric, argumentation, grammar, genre, and semantic enriches our understanding of texts and talks in contentious politics."Prof. Donatella della Porta, Founding Dean of the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Director of Centre of Social Movements Studies, Director of the PhD Program in Political Science and Sociology"Van Dijk’s ability to make discourse analysis socially relevant, unequalled knowledge of the field and exemplary conceptual clarity combine to make this book both a compelling account of the constitutive role of discourse in contemporary social movements and an outstanding compendium of discourse analytical theories and methods."Theo van Leeuwen, Professor of Language and Communication at the University of Southern Denmark"There exists no one better than Teun van Dijk who combines the analytical brilliance and detailed empirical analysis to deconstruct the intricate workings of social movements. In this outstanding monograph, the case in point is the ‘Refugees Welcome Movement’ 2015/16. Van Dijk embeds his comparative qualitative analysis in a sophisticated theoretical socio-cognitive framework which emphasizes the salient role of discourse when studying social movements. This book is a must-read for scholars and graduate students in the Social Sciences alike, who are interested in understanding and explaining the success (and failures) of glocal grassroot campaigns in European liberal democracies." Ruth Wodak, Emeritus Distinguished Professor, Lancaster University/University of ViennaTable of Contents1. Introduction 2. Social Movements and Refugees 3. Social Movements and the Communicative Context 4. A Repertoire of Social Movement Discourse Genres 5. The Words of Social Movements 6. Social Movements and Grammar 7. Social Movements and Semantics 8. Social Movements and Style 9. Social Movements and Rhetoric 10. Social Movements and Argumentation 11. Social Movements and Storytelling 12. Social Movements and Multimodality 13. Social Movements and Pragmatics 14. Social Movements and Talk-in-Interaction

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Book SynopsisSebastian Payne is the director of the think tank Onward and the former Whitehall Editor for the Financial Times. He is the author of the acclaimed Broken Heartlands, which was The Times' Political Book of the Year. Sebastian presented the Payne's Politics podcast, which was shortlisted for News Podcast of the Year' at the National Press Awards. The Fall of Boris Johnson is his second book and was a winner at the Parliamentary Book Awards.Trade ReviewAn entertaining and illuminating fly on the wall romp through Boris Johnson's final nine months, where the fly, Seb Payne, must frequently have thought he was on hallucinogens. It's more fun than a Downing Street party and contains a suitcase full of news. -- Tim ShipmanA timely reminder of the fine art of defenestration written by one of Fleet Street’s most trusted insiders. Delicious detail, break-neck pace and a curiosity which is both urgent yet empathetic. We are lucky to have Sebastian Payne. One of the finest of his generation. -- Emily MaitlisA genuinely page turning, gripping account of some of the most extraordinary days in modern British history. Very well sourced, this is a book historians will be turning to for a long time to come. The fall of emperors often seems a more interesting theme than their rise; Seb Payne triumphantly confirms it. -- Andrew MarrBrilliant, a devastating piece of contemporary history and I’d recommend anyone with a remote interest in politics reads it. However bad you thought the Boris Johnson denouement was, Payne shows that it was much worse. -- Fraser NelsonAny Tory MP tempted by a Johnson comeback should be prescribed this book by their GP -- The Times, A Political Book of the YearPayne writes with great skill . . . borders on the best of Tom Sharpe . . . revelatory * The Daily Telegraph *I urge you to read -- Nick CohenRevealing stories . . . delicious detail * The Times *Seasoned Westminster commentator Payne brilliantly, breathlessly and low-blow by low-blow captures the car crash at Downing Street -- Daily Mail, A Book of the YearHas all the pace, intrigue, complexity and dirt worthy of the finest Netflix drama * Metro *Payne tells the inside story, charting the crescendo of scandals that led to the resignation of a prime minister * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisHow does international context influence state policies toward religious minorities? Using parliamentary proceedings, court decisions, newspaper archives, and interviews, this book is the first systematic study that employs international context in the study of state policies toward religion, and that compares Turkey and France with regard to religious minorities. Comparing Christians in Turkey and Muslims in France, this book argues that policy change toward minorities becomes possible when strong domestic actors find a suitable international context that can help them execute their policy agendas. The Turkish Islamists used the European Union to transform the Turkish politics that brought a reformist moment for Christians in the 2000s. The Far Right in France utilized the rise of Islamophobia in Europe to adopt restrictive policies toward Muslims. Ramazan Kilinç argues that the presence of an international context that can favor particular groups over others, shifts the domestic balaTrade Review'Through a comparative analysis of state policies toward Christian minorities in Turkey and Muslim minorities in France, Ramazan Kılınç effectively demonstrates how international norms and context can interact with domestic actors to shape state policies toward religious minorities. This is a notable work of research and scholarship. It is theoretically sophisticated and provides a new model to understand complex and often changing domestic state policies toward religious minorities.' J. Christopher Soper, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Pepperdine University, California'This timely and innovative book is a critical resource for anyone seeking to understand state policies towards religious minorities. Kılınç convincingly shows that domestic actors take advantage of changing international contexts to press for their preferred state policies towards religious minorities. The careful comparative analyses of French policies towards Muslims, and Turkish policies towards Christians, with extensions to additional cases, make this work essential reading in religion and politics. Alien Citizens is also a significant contribution to our understanding of the causal role of international factors in national politics.' Carolyn M. Warner, Vail Pittman Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Political Science, University of Nevada, Reno'In this empirically rich and theoretically ingenious book, Ramazan Kılınç brings the perspectives of International Relations in the analysis of state-religion relations. Alien Citizens examines state policies toward Christians in Turkey and Muslims in France by distinctively explaining how international conditions have shaped these policies.' Ahmet T. Kuru, author of Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment: A Global and Historical Comparison'What makes this book compelling and refreshing is its emphasis on the interaction between international and domestic policy arenas through an examination of seemingly opposing policies in two very different contexts.' H. Shambayati, ChoiceTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Rethinking state policies toward religious minorities; Part I. Historical Institutions: 2. Secularism and Christians in Turkey; 3. Secularism and Muslims in France; Part II. International Context: 4. The European Union and Christians in Turkey; 5. Islamophobia and Muslims in France; Part III. Domestic Actors and Policy Change: 6. Kemalists, conservatives, and Christians in Turkey; 7. Radical right, liberals, and Muslims in France; Conclusion; 8. Testing the argument beyond the scope of the study; 9: Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisAn introduction to the most important issues facing an increasingly globalized world with this thoroughly updated and revised sixth edition. Global Issues is an accessible, wide-ranging introduction to the major environmental and development issues confronting the modern world. Spanning disciplines such as political science, economics, sociology, ecology, international relations, and development studies, this popular textbook enables students to develop a broad perspective on the relationships between nations, society, corporations, and the environment in various contexts. Exploring issues surrounding wealth, poverty, inequality, climate change, natural resources, pollution, technology, and others, the text illustrates the importance of global solutions to the issues facing increasingly interdependent nations around the world. This sixth edition has been extensively revised to ensure contemporary relevance, featuring updated case studies and compelling reTable of ContentsList of Plates xiii List of Figures, Maps, and Tables xv Acknowledgements xix Introduction 1 The Creation of Global Issues 1 1 What is Development? 3 Developing Toward What? 3 Twentieth‐Century Approach: Development as Economic Growth 4 Twenty‐First‐Century Approach: Developing towards Sustainability 6 Wave of Hope: The Millennium Development Goals (2000–2015) 7 Sustainable Development Goals (2015–2030) 8 Development Assistance and Foreign Aid 10 Culture and Development 14 Conclusion 16 Notes 18 Further Reading 19 2 Wealth and Poverty 21 Can We Eradicate Poverty? 23 Mainstreaming Sustainable Development 27 A Pessimistic View: The Persistence of Poverty 29 Systematic Approaches 33 A Market Approach 33 The State as Economic Actor 36 A Blended Approach 40 Trade and Global Economic Interdependence 41 Global Interdependence 43 Positive aspects 43 Negative aspects 44 Geography and Wealth, Geography and Poverty 45 Conclusions 46 Notes 48 Further Reading 52 3 Population 55 The Changing Population of the World 56 Shifting Demographics: Rural to Urban 61 Causes of the Population Explosion 67 Demographic transitions: population and development 68 How Population Growth Affects Development 74 Rapid growth 74 Slow growth 76 An aging population and low birth rates 76 How Development Affects Population Growth 79 Factors lowering birth rates 80 International Conferences on Population 82 Governmental Population Policies 84 Managing growth 84 Mexico 86 India 88 China 88 Promoting growth 89 The Future 92 The growth of the world’s population 92 The carrying capacity of the Earth 92 “Optimum” size of the Earth’s population 94 Population‐related challenges in our future 96 Conclusions 98 Notes 99 Further Reading 105 4 Food 108 How Many Are Hungry? 109 World Food Production 110 Arable land 111 Climate 112 How Development Affects Food 113 United States: Industrial Agriculture and Farm Consolidation 114 Brazil: Becoming a Food Exporter by Expanding the Agricultural Frontier 116 Contents ix China: Limited Land to Grow, Many Mouths to Feed 116 Feeding a Growing Population 118 The “Green” Revolution 119 Fertilizers 120 Pesticides 121 Energy 121 Irrigation 122 Biotechnology 122 Fishing and aquaculture 125 Traditional/sustainable/organic agriculture 126 Causes of World Hunger 128 How Food Affects Development 132 The type of food 134 What’s your Footprint? 138 Food Waste and Food Loss 139 The Future 140 Governmental Food Policies 141 Future Food Supplies 143 Conclusions 145 Notes 146 Further Reading 156 5 Energy 158 The Relationship between Energy Use and Development 159 Nonrenewable Energy Sources 161 Oil 162 Global Oil Supplies and Price Shocks 163 Coal 165 Natural Gas 166 The Energy Transition 167 Renewable Energy Sources 169 Solar Power 169 Wind 171 Hydroelectric Power 172 Wood, Agricultural/Forestry Residues, and Animal Dung 173 Geothermal Energy 174 Hydrogen‐Powered Fuel Cells 175 Energy and Development: Critical Challenges and Opportunities 176 National Approaches to Energy and Development 177 China 179 The United States 180 Western Europe 183 Japan 184 The Decoupling of Energy Consumption and Economic Growth 185 Conservation/Energy Efficiency 186 x Contents Nuclear Power: A Case Study 188 The potential and the peril 188 The choice 192 Withdraw support for nuclear power 192 Continue to support nuclear power 194 Conclusions 195 Notes 196 Further Reading 201 6 Climate Change 203 An Unprecedented Global Challenge 204 How Increased Temperatures Impact the Earth 206 Regional impacts 206 Africa 207 Asia 207 Low‐lying islands 207 Europe 207 Latin America 207 North America 207 Polar regions 207 Types of impacts 209 Monster storms 209 Extreme heat 210 Infectious diseases 210 Agriculture 210 Melting ice 212 Sea level rise 212 Disruption of natural ecosystems 213 How Bad Will It Get? 213 Planet at a crossroads: high stakes choices 215 Air pollution 215 Uncertainties 216 Abrupt climate change 216 Slower Atlantic currents 216 Clouds 216 Other positive and negative feedbacks 216 Global Agreement for a Global Problem 217 What More Can Be Done? 218 Conclusion 221 Notes 221 Further Reading 223 7 The Environment: Natural Resources 225 The Awakening 225 Water 228 Contents xi Land 229 Minerals 229 Deforestation 230 Governing the Commons 235 The Extinction of Species 236 Responsible Use 240 Resource efficiency 240 Recycling 241 Substitution 243 Reducing needs 243 Conclusion 244 Notes 244 Recommended Readings 248 8 The Environment: Pollution 249 Air Pollution 250 Acid rain 254 Ozone depletion 258 Climate change (global warming) 260 Water Pollution 261 The Workplace and the Home 263 Cancer 263 Chemicals 264 Pesticides 265 Managing Waste 267 Solid wastes 267 Toxic wastes 269 Governmental and industrial responses to the waste problem 270 Environmental Politics 271 Conclusion 274 Notes 275 Further Reading 282 9 Technology 283 Benefits of Technology 284 Unanticipated Consequences of the Use of Technology 285 DDT 287 Factory farms 288 Inappropriate Uses of Technology 289 Limits to the “Technological Fix” 294 War 296 The Threat of Nuclear Weapons: A Case Study 298 The threat 298 New dangers 301 Nuclear proliferation 301 The cleanup 303 The threat of nuclear terrorism 303 xii Contents Conclusions 304 Notes 305 Further Reading 308 10 Alternative Futures 310 Development Pathways: Evaluating Our Current Situation 311 Current Outlook: Business as Usual 312 Collapse and Sustainable Development 314 Choices 318 Improve production 318 Reduce demand 319 Governance: Deciding How to Act on the Choices We Make 320 Conclusion 324 Notes 326 Further Reading 330 Appendix 1: Studying and Teaching Global Issues 332 Appendix 2: Relevant Videos 340 Glossary 349 Index 355

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Book SynopsisBowman/Kearney's STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, THE ESSENTIALS, SIXTH EDITION takes a positive look at state and local government, in a shorter and more streamlined approach than its full-length counterpart (State and Local Government 9781435462687). It espouses clearly and succinctly that government can be a force for good in society, while addressing critics simultaneously. Through engaging coverage of current events and an accessible writing style, the text fosters interest and involvement in state and local politics, policy, and public service.Trade Review1. New Direction for State and Local Government. 2. Federalism and the States. 3. State Constitutions. 4. Citizen Participation and Elections. 5. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Campaigns. 6. State Legislatures. 7. Governors. 8. Public Administration: Budgeting and Service Delivery. 9. The Judiciary. 10. State-Local Relations. 11. Local Government: Structure and Leadership. 12. Taxing and Spending.Table of Contents1. New Direction for State and Local Government. 2. Federalism and the States. 3. State Constitutions. 4. Citizen Participation and Elections. 5. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Campaigns. 6. State Legislatures. 7. Governors. 8. Public Administration: Budgeting and Service Delivery. 9. The Judiciary. 10. State-Local Relations. 11. Local Government: Structure and Leadership. 12. Taxing and Spending.

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Book SynopsisThe fallout from Brexit and Covid-19, ongoing political turmoil, economic decline and calls for a second Scottish independence referendum make for deeply uncertain times in contemporary Britain. What will the country look like in five years from now? Will it even exist in its present form?Introducing you to all aspects of British history, geography, society, politics, economy and culture, this book guides you through the countryâs enduring features and recent trends: -Growing racial, religious, national and cultural diversity-Demographic shifts, including the move from a welfare state to a stakeholder society-The altered balance of power among government institutions, as the UK adapts to life outside the EU-Shifts in economic policy, following the impact of Brexit, Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine-Changing voter attitudes, with questions raised about the balance between the major political parties-The impact of social media and alternative communications channels on media, culture and pTrade ReviewA lively and well-focused survey of a key aspect of modern Britain, especially its changing role in the international economy. * Professor Jim Tomlinson, University of Glasgow, UK *The new edition comes at a fitting time, with many things changing so quickly in the UK… a neat overview of how things work in the UK, and why, as well as indications of how Britons feel about them. * Clare Maas, University of Trier, Germany *Covers a wide variety of important themes and developments in recent British history, and does so in an admirably concise compass…. very recent developments such as Brexit and Covid-19 make this updated edition all the more valuable. * Professor Matthew Mason, Brigham Young University, USA *A useful, efficient and balanced account of the UK’s political, economic and societal state of affairs. * Professor Gareth John, St. Cloud State University, Minnesota, USA *Table of Contents1. Historical Context 2. Land and People 3. Social System 4. Government 5. Politics and Civil Society 6. The Economy 7. Culture and Lifestyle 8. Britain and the World 9. Conclusions

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Book SynopsisHow do different electoral systems work to translate votes into seats? What effects do they have on the political system, on political actors, and on voters? Does the choice of electoral system always involve a trade-off between strong and stable government and representation? And do electoral systems matter as much as we might think?This fully revised and expanded third edition examines the principal types of electoral system used in over 75 of the world''s democracies. It explores why countries choose the electoral systems they do and explains how the different systems function; it investigates the consequences of electoral systems, including on the party system and on government formation and stability, on representation and the quality of democracy, and on parties, politicians, and voters.Clearly structured, wide-ranging in focus, and incorporating of an array of visual material including authentic ballot papers, tables and figures this in-depth study remains th

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Book SynopsisFor many the Russian Revolution of 1917 was a symbol of hope. In the eyes of its critics, however, Soviet authoritarianism and the horrors of the gulags have led to the revolution becoming synonymous with oppression, threatening to forever taint the very idea of socialism.The experience of Georgia, which declared its independence from Russia in 1918, tells a different story. In this riveting history, Eric Lee explores the little-known saga of the country's experiment in democratic socialism, detailing the epic, turbulent events of this forgotten chapter in revolutionary history. Along the way, we are introduced to a remarkable cast of characters among them the men and women who strove for a more inclusive vision of socialism that featured multi-party elections, freedom of speech and assembly, a free press and a civil society grounded in trade unions and cooperatives. Though the Georgian Democratic Republic lasted for just three years before it was brutally crushed on the orTrade ReviewA well-researched, well-written and engaging account … a welcome and necessary addition to the literature.' * European History Quarterly *This is an important book. It is the first study in English of the Menshevik government in Georgia between 1918 and 1921. * Chartist *Lee provides a fascinating account of what the country briefly looked like under Menshvik rule and how this compared to the regime established by Georgia’s most famous son, Stalin. * Europe Now *As Lee reminds us, this Menshevik-dominated government backed free elections, freedom of the press, an independent judiciary, parliamentary rule and free trade unions. Perhaps its most impressive achievement was to carry out agrarian reform, allowing peasants to buy land at reasonable prices and not resorting to the catastrophic forced collectivization the Bolsheviks later employed. Visiting Georgia, a Western socialist like Karl Kautsky could declare it the "antithesis to Bolshevism." * New York Times *Lee's gripping, well-researched Operation Basalt shines a bright light on a tiny, yet important, corner of World War II ...exciting and illuminating * Praise for Eric Lee’s previous book Operation Basalt, Tampa Bay Times *Riveting * Praise for Eric Lee’s previous book Operation Basalt, Wall Street Journal *An authentic and compelling read * Praise for Eric Lee’s previous book Operation Basalt, Damien Lewis, best-selling author of The Nazi Hunters and Churchill's Secret Warriors *A sympathetic, lucidly written and politically literate account of the first Georgian Republic, which makes exhaustive use of the accounts of foreign observers as well as some of the major leading figures. * Donald Rayfield, author of Stalin and His Hangmen *Covering a crucial but strangely overlooked period in the fevered evolution of socialism, we’ve been waiting for this book for a long time. Fortunately, it arrives excellently written and researched. * Peter Nasmyth, author of Georgia: In the Mountains of Poetry *In a clear and succinct style, Eric Lee paints a sympathetic portrait of this remarkable experiment in democratic socialism. Lee has brought this almost unknown story out of the shadows, giving it its proper place in the historiography of socialism and the Russian Revolution. * Stephen Jones, author of Socialism in Georgian Colors *Table of ContentsTimeline Preface Prologue 1. Founding Father 2. Dress Rehearsal 3. The Experiment Begins 4. The Turn towards Germany 5. At War With Armenia 6. The British Take Charge 7. Georgia's Agrarian Revolution 8. The Independence of the Trade Unions 9. The Rise and Rise of the Cooperatives 10. Achilles' Heel: Georgia's National Minorities 11. Fifth Column 12. Europe's Socialist Leaders Come for a Visit 13. The State That Never Was 14. The Experiment Ends 15. The Final Battle 16. Another Revolution Was Possible

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Book Synopsis- How did today's international systems emerge, and how are they shaped by war, unequal development and international cooperation?- How do individuals, firms, international organisations, and nation states operate within these systems?- How can students apply theories of global politics using real-world examples?Understanding International Politics offers a comprehensive and accessible guide to the key systems, actors, and issues of international politics. It covers core concepts and questions for political study, and presents a toolkit' that enables students to apply theory and historical context in independent research. This introduction frames complex international systems coherently by focusing on political players, and, as a single-authored work, delivers a consistent critical approach throughout.This authoritative and clearly organised textbook offers:- Contemporary examples and case-studies for approaching international relations from th

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Book SynopsisThis book analyzes how variations in the traditional pillars of Italian foreign policy (the US, the EU and multilateralism) can be related to changes in the US-led international hegemonic order and to the role that Italy plays within that order. To explore these variations, the book proposes an analysis of the Italian voting and sponsoring behavior at the UN in the period 2000-2017, in both the General Assembly and the Security Council, and emphasizes the importance of the latter forum to detect how Italian behavior reflects changes at the international system level. By focusing on the Italian coalition behavior, the book explores how Italy as a status seeking middle power has traditionally played the role of coalition facilitator, adapting its foreign policy to be part of a coalition of European states and building on this coalition to increase its contribution to the maintenance of the international system in support of the US-led order. Ultimately this behavior also contributed to iTrade Review“Based on solid methodological and theoretical considerations, this book offers an insightful study of Italian foreign policy, relating it to both the US-led international hegemonic order and the process of Europeanization of foreign policies of European Union (EU) member states. It includes thorough studies of Italian voting and sponsoring activities in the UN General Assembly and Security Council. It discusses the impact of emerging powers and the advent of President Trump on the global order as well as financial and migration crises within the EU, both having some effect without fundamentally undermining the Europeanization of Italian foreign policy so far.” -- Finn LaursenThis book is a timely and fascinating contribution to the literature on Italian politics. Blending insights from as diverse theories as Europeanization and hegemonic order, Monteleone provides a nuanced account of Italy’s foreign policy. With its original focus on coalitional dynamics at the UNGA and UNSC, the book makes a compelling case for the Europeanization argument as applied to the Italian case. However, it also raises disturbing questions about the future of EU cohesion in a time of crisis. Essential reading for anyone interested in the fate of Italy’s – and Europe’s – role in the world. -- Andrea Locatelli, Università Cattolica, Italy“This book is a timely and fascinating contribution to the literature on Italian politics. Blending insights from theories as diverse as Europeanization and hegemonic order, Monteleone provides a nuanced account of Italy’s foreign policy. With its original focus on coalitional dynamics at the UNGA and UNSC, the book makes a compelling case for the Europeanization argument as applied to the Italian case. However, it also raises disturbing questions about the future of EU cohesion in a time of crisis. This is essential reading for anyone interested in the fate of Italy’s—and Europe’s—role in the world.” -- Vittorio Emanuele Parsi, Catholic University of MilanTable of ContentsChapter 1. The Europeanization of Italian foreign policy in the US-led world orderChapter 2. Analyzing Europeanization at the United NationsChapter 3. In the General AssemblyChapter 4. In the Security CouncilChapter 5. The challenge of crises. Toward a de-Europeanization?

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Book SynopsisMany of us wonder what we could possibly do to end oppression, exploitation, and injustice. People have studied revolutions and protest movements for centuries, but few have focused on prefigurative politics, the idea of 'building the new society within the shell of the old'. Fed up with capitalism? Get organised and build the institutions of the future in radical unions and local communities. Tired of politicians stalling on climate change? Set up an alternative energy collective. Ready to smash racism and the patriarchy? Root them out in all areas of our lives, not just in 'high politics'. This is the first book dedicated to prefigurative politics, explaining its history and examining the various debates surrounding it. How can collective decision-making be inclusive? In what ways are movements intersectional? Can prefigurative organisations scale up? It is a must-read for students of radical politics, anarchism, and social movements, as well as activists and concerned citizens everywhere.Trade Review�Prefigurative Politics is essential reading for anyone who is serious about building a new world in the shell of the old. Concise, clear, and powerful, Raekstad and Gradin�s work illuminates histories of prefiguration and charts a course forward.�Mark Bray, Dartmouth College, author of Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook �The left often struggles with an internal contradiction between (a) implementing strategies and tactics to undo its opponents, and (b) advocating for an alternative social structure. Raekstad and Gradin embrace this contradiction and consider how best to mutually reinforce both components of a broad left strategy. Here is productive strategic thinking among advocates of basic social change.�Richard D. Wolff, University of Massachusetts, Amherst �A wonderful and timely contribution to the growing literature on (socialist) activist strategy. Both authors draw extensively on their own experiences with activism and their academic research... Everyone interested in left-activism or simply longing for a better future should read Prefigurative Politics.�Marx and Philosophy Review of BooksTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 What Prefigurative Politics Is and Is Not Chapter 3 Praxis and Social Change Chapter 4 Decision-Making in Large-Scale Organisations Chapter 5 The Personal is Political Chapter 6 Prefigurative Politics and the State Chapter 7 Radical Prefigurativism, Not Liberal Individualism Chapter 8 Conclusion: Now. Here. You. Notes Bibliography

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Book SynopsisWhat does a nation of immigrants think and feel about immigration? Recent accounts of immigration policy routinely cast Americans as divided into two warring camps – one fueled by threat to livelihoods and way of life, the other by a fervent cosmopolitanism that sees the nation-state as passé. This counter-intuitive book shows that these accounts miss the mark. First, almost all Americans hold a mix of ""pro-"" and ""anti-immigrant"" opinions. Their views are pragmatic and flexible rather than dead-set. Second, opinions about immigration are more powerfully influenced by liberal values and concerns about the well-being of American society as a whole than by identity politics. Third, the assimilation Americans demand from immigrants matches patterns of integration that Hispanic and Asian immigrants overwhelmingly follow. Finally, American attitudes toward immigrants are ""exceptional"" for their openness and respect for cultural pluralism. In Citrin, Levy, and Wright's view, long-elusive comprehensive immigration reform can win in the court of public opinion – but only if leaders heed their constituents rather than the polarized activists who claim to speak on their behalf. This expert analysis rethinks the role of public opinion in immigration matters: its insights will be welcomed by all interested in immigration debates and public policy.Trade Review“Immigration in the Court of Public Opinion is that rare book that clears away the rhetorical fog obscuring the public’s views on a hotly contested issue. With lucid data analysis and compelling logic, the book shows brilliantly that the polarization over immigration in the political elite is not matched in the opinions of the great mass of Americans, who cluster around a middle ground solidly anchored in core American values. The book is a paragon of the clarity of reasoning and evidence that good social science can bring to the public square.”Richard Alba, Graduate Center, CUNY“Immigration in the Court of Public Opinion is a timely reassessment of Americans' attitudes about immigration policy, immigrants themselves, and their effects on many aspects of American society. Citrin and his collaborators provide us with the most accessible, sophisticated, current, and analytically informed data available. It will immediately become the standard reference in the field, informing social scientists, policymakers, media commentators, and private citizens and illuminating countless public debates on one of the most important issues of our time. I have already used it in my own work on immigration policy.”Peter H. Schuck, Yale and NYU Law Schools“Looking beyond the loud certainties of immigration policy debates, this book explores an alternate reality. With a deep analysis of extensive survey findings, Citrin, Levy, and Wright offer an authoritative account of public opinion on immigration across many dimensions. Most Americans, they find, express nuance, conflict, and uncertainty even as they embrace pluralism and generosity. An excellent distillation.”Roberto Suro, University of Southern CaliforniaTable of ContentsPreface Chapter 1: Who Are We Now? Chapter 2: Moderation, Malleability, and the Myth of Warring Camps Chapter 3: Motivations Chapter 4: Assimilation Then and Now Chapter 5: American Exceptionalism? Chapter 6: Conclusion Notes

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Book SynopsisIn nine short days, Taliban forces destroyed two decades of American armed statebuilding in Afghanistan. This was no isolated failure. Over the last century, almost every attempt to intervene militarily to prop up or reconstruct an allied state has seen similar dismal outcomes. Why? This book answers that fundamental question. By exploring the factors that hindered success in Afghanistan, Adam Wunische identifies forces common to other unsuccessful U.S. armed statebuilding missions, from Vietnam to Syria, Haiti to Iraq. These forces, he argues, inherently favor insurgencies, forfeit sustainability for quick results, and create dependencies and corruption – all of which undermine the goal of building a state that can stand on its own. Not only that, but most of these forces are inescapable and uncontrollable. This means any future attempts at armed statebuilding will likely also be unwinnable, with costs and consequences far outpacing America’s interests and benefits. Faced with a future likely dominated by proxy wars, Wunische offers a novel way forward to prevent the U.S. from chasing new wars that it is destined to lose.Trade Review"Unwinnable Wars combines a scathing indictment of the follies leading to the U.S. failure in Afghanistan with a detailed and dispassionate assessment of the challenges inherent in any attempt at armed statebuilding. It contains an abundance of policy-relevant lessons."Andrew Bacevich, chairman and co-founder, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft"A critical read for policymakers and national security professionals, succinctly laying out why armed statebuilding is so difficult, frustrating, and unlikely to succeed. Wunische’s conclusions are critical to preventing the costly future recurrence of these ambitious but doomed adventures."Jonathan Schroden, former strategic advisor to US Forces - AFG"Adam Wunische's Unwinnable Wars reinforces much of what we know from history and social science: armed statebuilding interventions are unlikely to succeed due to a long list of well-known factors. In an important contribution to existing scholarship, and a much-needed guide to policymakers, Wunische offers us a comprehensive framework to understand the narrow conditions under which military interventions could work. He supports this argument with compelling and wide-ranging historical case studies. A welcome and crucial addition to research on military intervention."Jasen J. Castillo, Texas A&M University"In this intriguing and original book, Adam Wunische convincingly argues that the debates about strategy in Afghanistan (and other armed statebuilding cases) are irrelevant, because these conflicts are unwinnable. Its sophistication, accessibility, and powerful analysis should make this a widely read and discussed book."Jeffrey Meiser, University of PortlandTable of ContentsList of AcronymsList of Tables and FiguresPrefaceIntroduction: The Fall of KabulChapter 1: Preexisting ConditionsChapter 2: Ticking ClocksChapter 3: DilemmasChapter 4: ParadoxesChapter 5: Avoiding Unwinnable WarsChapter 6: Wars Worth FightingNotes

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Book SynopsisSpeak your mind, always. Hypocrisy challenges this rule of authenticity, and for this very reason hypocrisy is judged negatively, as intentional inconsistency between thoughts and words, between belief and behaviour. Does this make the hypocrite a silent saboteur of the moral order? A person who hides in the shadows and erodes the foundations of trust? Without trust there is no society, no friendship, no love. But is hypocrisy always reprehensible? Nadia Urbinati argues that society, friendship and love all require a measure of hypocrisy what she calls virtuous hypocrisy'. If we were always uncompromisingly honest in public, it would be a disaster for everyone. Sometimes it is better to refrain from speaking your mind: hypocrisy can be a form of civility and a sign of maturity and autonomy. And in politics too, a degree of hypocrisy and inconsistency is essential. The important thing is to understand when and within what limits hypocrisy can be justified, and to avoid it becoming systematic and leading to outright lying and deception. Urbinati does not praise hypocrisy unconditionally but argues that a degree of hypocrisy is essential to the smooth functioning of our social and political life. This perceptive reappraisal of a much-maligned concept will be of interest to students and academics in politics and political theory and to a wide general readership.

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Book SynopsisThe latest book in the long-running Britain at the Polls series provides an indispensable account of the fascinating 2017 British general election. It explains why the Conservatives lost their parliamentary majority and how Theresa May returned at the head of a minority government. Leading experts analyse the Conservatives’ record in government, May’s fateful decision to call an early election, Labour’s shift to the left under Jeremy Corbyn, the Liberal Democrats’ ongoing problems, the collapse in UKIP’s vote share, the SNP’s diminished appeal in Scotland, and the role of gender and electoral integrity in the 2017 campaign. The book also addresses broader questions about the future of British politics against the backdrop of the 2016 Brexit referendum and ongoing austerity. Its coverage and accessible style make it of interest to general readers, students of British politics and professional political scientists.Trade Review‘None past the post features a distinguished set of contributors, who ably parse out the factors that shaped the surprising 2017 general election. This coherent, accessible and lively volume provides essential reading that will interest students of British party politics, election campaigns, and voting behaviour.’James Adams, University of California at Davis‘This book provides the authoritative, sophisticated and accessible account that is called for by the most extraordinary election of our recent history. Each chapter is a model of careful, focused analysis and finely judged interpretation. An election’s significance requires an appreciation both of numbers and of history. None past the post does this superbly.’Sir Ivor Crewe, University College, Oxford ‘The authors tell the story of the 2017 general election in rich, compelling detail. The twists and turns of British politics and British voting behaviour are captured with the right balance, explanation and evidence to offer an illuminating, fascinating and accessible record of one of the most intriguing periods in British political history.’Jane Green, University of Manchester‘The result of Britain’s 2017 general election was, with little doubt, one of the most dramatic and unexpected in modern British history. This latest contribution to the long-running Britain at the Polls series shines a clear light on what happened. The book is sure to become a benchmark in our understanding of this most unusual of elections.’Charles Pattie, University of Sheffield‘As an American attempting to make sense of the electoral instability characterizing recent US elections, I benefited from reading the efforts of British scholars to make sense of theirs. While there are major institutional dissimilarities between our two countries and some major trends are moving in opposite directions, there are important points of political contact as well. American scholars will profit from expanding their foci and digesting these analyses of their British colleagues.’Morris P. Fiorina, Stanford University -- .Table of ContentsPreface 1 Gambling with the electorate: The Conservatives in government - Nicholas Allen2 Revolt on the left: Labour in opposition - Thomas Quinn3 The Liberal Democrats: remaining in the doldrums - John Curtice4 The rise and fall of UKIP, 2010–17 - Paul Whiteley, Matthew Goodwin and Harold D. Clarke5 Squeezing the SNP: the election in Scotland - Robert Johns6 From Thatcher to May and beyond: women in British politics - Meryl Kenny7 Electoral integrity and post-truth politics - Sarah Birch8 Why the Conservatives lost their majority – but still won - John Bartle9 A coalition of chaos: where next? - Rosie CampbellAppendix: results of British general elections, 1945–2017

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