Politics and government Books

Book SynopsisDeliberate ignorance has been known as the ‘Ostrich Instruction’ in law courts since the 1860s. It illustrates a recurring pattern in history in which figureheads for major companies, political leaders and industry bigwigs plead ignorance to avoid culpability. So why do so many figures at the top still get away with it when disasters on their watch damage so many people’s lives? Does the idea that knowledge is power still apply in today’s post-truth world? A bold, wide-ranging exploration of the relationship between ignorance and power in the modern age, from debates over colonial power and economic rent-seeking in the 18th and 19th centuries to the legal defences of today, The Unknowers shows that strategic ignorance has not only long been an inherent part of modern power and big business, but also that true power lies in the ability to convince others of where the boundary between ignorance and knowledge lies.Trade ReviewOurs is an era where truth-telling, leadership and authority have an increasingly feeble relationship. Linsey McGoey picks apart how strategic ignorance is a dastardly ploy that enables society’s elites to avoid responsibility for their rampant pursuit of self-interest. Essential if we are to resist what is one of the most dangerous tendencies of the new normal in global politics. * Carl Rhodes, co-author of CEO Society: The Corporate Takeover of Everyday Life *i>'The Unknowers is a landmark study of the myriad ways in which ignorance infuses our social, political and economic lives. Linsey McGoey deftly weaves social thought and empirical analysis to rethink how the power to draw the boundaries between knowledge and ignorance can radically transform society and democracy. * Claudia Aradau, King’s College London *What is most compelling about this book are the ways in which McGoey builds bridges between knowledge and ignorance practices, on the one hand, and processes of political and economic domination, on the other. * Clémence Pinel, Critical Policy Studies *i>‘The Unknowers is a fascinating exploration of the many ways in which our societies are built on strategic lack of knowledge. * Joshua Newman, Counterfire *In this timely book, McGoey tells us how deliberate and willful ignorance are used in politics, law, media, health and especially economics, to get and keep power. And she tells us what we might do about it. * Lynne Pettinger, University of Warwick *The definitive book for our times on what makes strategic ignorance so 'strategic' in the hands of the powerful. If the truth can set us free, then it is only once we have taken back ignorance. * Steve Fuller, author of Post-Truth: Knowledge as a Power Game *This is McGoey at her absolute best. And what a tour de force The Unknowers is. Each chapter weaves its way backward and forward between events and evidence, past and future making, to offer original insights into how strategic ignorance and deliberate uncertainty keep those at the top in power. * Susan L. Robertson, University of Cambridge *Table of ContentsIntroduction: The Power to Ignore 1. Narrow History 2. Seeing Ignorance Differently 3. Elite Agnotologists 4. The Murdoch Strategy 5. Suspicious Attention 6. Know-it-all Epistocrats 7. Conflict Blindness 8. Masters of Industry, Masters of ignorance 9. The Ostrich Instruction 10. Good Experts 11. The Pretense of Ignorance Conclusion: The Great Enlargement

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Book SynopsisVery Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring A pathbreaking analysis of the relationship between Mandela the myth, and Mandela the historical figure, looking at the way images, stories, and politics have been combined to create the iconic image of Mandela that we know today. Boehmer explores the long trajectory of Mandela''s life, explaining first the historical and political context of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, and then the post-apartheid period of difficult reconciliation, including the shifts and changes in Mandela''s reputation since the millennium.This innovative postcolonial reflection takes on board the more critical revisionist literature on Mandela that has emerged since 2015, looking at responses to his death in 2013, and the 2018 commemorations of the 100th anniversary of his birth.The first edition set a trend in scholarship on Mandela by reading his character and achievements through the lens of his influences, interests, and leading ideas. The second edition extends this focus with a far-reaching critical look at meanings of reconciliation and Mandela''s ethic of reciprocity. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Table of Contents1: Mandela: story and symbol 2: Scripting a life: the early years 3: Growth of a national icon: later years 4: Influences and interactions 5: Sophiatown sophisticate 6: Masculine performer 7: Spectres in the prison garden 8: Mandela's legacy

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Completely invaluable. . . . A model of how American politics is working right."---Ezra Klein, New York Times"Since 2000, we’ve stayed very close to 50-50 in presidential elections and control of Congress has bounced back and forth. . . . No wonder the political scientists John Sides, Chris Tausanovitch and Lynn Vavreck refer to our politics as 'calcified' in their important (and aptly titled) recent book on the 2020 election, The Bitter End."---E. J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post"The timely advice and analysis will pique the interest of readers interested in politics and government and will be a strong title to offer prior to election season." * Library Journal *"The authors compile a vast amount of statistical and survey data to identify what they call the 'tectonic shifts' transforming the American political landscape. . . . Recommended." * Choice *

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Book SynopsisIn The Coloniality of the Secular, An Yountae investigates the collusive ties between the modern concepts of the secular, religion, race, and coloniality in the Americas. Drawing on the work of Édouard Glissant, Frantz Fanon, Aimé Césaire, Sylvia Wynter, and Enrique Dussel, An maps the intersections of revolutionary non-Western thought with religious ideas to show how decoloniality redefines the sacred as an integral part of its liberation vision. He examines these thinkers’ rejection of colonial religions and interrogates the narrow conception of religion that confines it within colonial power structures. An explores decoloniality’s conception of the sacred in relation to revolutionary violence, gender, creolization, and racial phenomenology, demonstrating its potential for reshaping religious paradigms. Pointing out that the secular has been pivotal to regulating racial hierarchies under colonialism, he advocates for a broader understanding of Trade Review“How are religious sensibilities mobilized in decolonial thought, a tradition that rebels against the legacy of Christianity in shaping colonial ideologies? Challenging the widespread assumption of decolonial thought as ‘secular,’ The Coloniality of the Secular offers an attentive and insightful reading of some of its most celebrated theorists, surfacing their gestures toward a notion of the sacred. This is an indispensable contribution to theorizing religion in the Americas and reconceiving decolonial thought and practice!” -- Mayra Rivera, author of * Poetics of the Flesh *“The Coloniality of the Secular takes on, with critical precision and erudition, the thorny concepts of religion and secularism as both have been mediated by the colonizing and hegemonic yoke of Christianity and its mirror images. Drawing upon a rich array of Africana and decolonial scholarship to make his case, An Yountae presents a provocative decolonial analysis and theory in which creolizing the sacred shines through, transcending the colonial religion/secular divide. A valuable contribution not only to decolonial thought but also to critical modernity studies, religious studies, race studies, and global southern thought.” -- Lewis R. Gordon, author of * Freedom, Justice, and Decolonization *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments vii Introduction. A Decolonial Theory of Religion 1 Part I. Genealogies 1. Modernity/Coloniality/Secularity: The Cartography of Struggle 25 2. Crisis and Revolutionary Praxis: Philosophy and Theology of Liberation 57 Part II. Poetics 3. Phenomenology of the Political: Fanon’s Religion 97 4. Phenomenology of Race: Poetics of Blackness 113 5. Poetics of World-Making: Creolizing the Sacred, Becoming Archipelago 139 Conclusion 177 Notes 181 Bibliography 205 Index 223

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Book SynopsisDenis Lacorne traces the emergence of the modern notion of religious tolerance in order to rethink how we should respond to its contemporary tensions. He defends the Enlightenment concept against recent attempts to circumscribe it, arguing that without it a pluralistic society cannot survive.Trade Review[Lacorne] gives no pat answers, but an implicit lesson runs throughout. Defending toleration is not like protecting a jewel. It takes fixity of aim but also a feel for the changing context, persistence with a task that never ends, and readiness to start again. Toleration does gradually spread. It can also suddenly vanish. * The Economist *I simply don’t know a book on toleration that compares to this one. Denis Lacorne has managed to weave together both an intellectual history of ideas about toleration and a wide-ranging international survey of policies related to it. Theory and practice come together in a very illuminating way and will expand the American reader’s horizon beyond our borders. -- Mark Lilla, author of The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity PoliticsLiving in a religiously tolerant society, Americans no longer understand what the challenge of achieving religious toleration originally meant: learning to coexist with beliefs and practices that one detested. Denis Lacorne begins this critical survey by recalling the great Enlightenment voices for toleration: Locke, Voltaire, and the American founders. But he then examines modern European and American disputes to demonstrate why the struggle for toleration and free exercise remains so problematic—a fight that never quite ends but that we grasp much better after reading Lacorne's crisp and incisive chapters. -- Jack N. Rakove, author of Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the ConstitutionA timely, erudite, and insightful book that sheds light on issues concerning whether and when contemporary democracies should restrict the practices and beliefs of nonmainstream religious and political groups. It is the best book written on this subject to date. -- Bruce Cain, author of Democracy More or Less: America’s Political Reform QuandaryThis insightful study will be useful to all who are interested in clarifying their own views of this critical subject. * Choice *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsNew Introduction for the American Edition1. Tolerance According to John Locke2. Voltaire and Modern Tolerance3. Tolerance in America4. Tolerance in the Ottoman Empire5. Tolerance in Venice6. On Blasphemy7. Multicultural Tolerance8. Of Veils and Unveiling9. New Restrictions, New Forms of Tolerance10. Should We Tolerate the Enemies of Tolerance?Epilogue for the American Edition: Tolerance in the Age of TerrorismNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisThis book examines the US Navy and Marine Corps during the interwar years from a new perspective. Rather than focusing on the technologies developed, the wargames conducted, or the results of the now famous Fleet Problems, this work analyzes the global deployments of the rest of the US fleet. By examining the annual reports of the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Commandant of the Marine Corps over 20 years, the book traces the US ships, squadrons, and fleets conducting naval diplomacy and humanitarian missions, maritime security patrols, and deployments for deterrent effect across the world's oceans. Despite the common label of the interwar years as isolationist, the deployments of the US Navy and Marine Corps in that period were anything but isolated. The majority of the literature on the era has a narrow focus on preparation for combat and wartime, which provides an incomplete view of the history of US naval power and also establishes a misleadTrade Review'There is a common assumption that the United States Navy spent the years between the World Wars digesting the lessons of the first, and preparing to win the second. Naval Presence demonstrates that this 'military' reading of history ignores the critical reality that the inter-war Navy and Marine Corps represented the nation abroad, supporting diplomacy, protecting economic interests, exerting influence and responding to disasters. This fresh reading of the evidence is at once compelling, and consistent with the longer history of American naval operations.'Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History, author of The British Way of War: Julian Corbett and the Battle for a National Strategy.'With an accessible prose and a surgical chronological examination, this volume compellingly argues that naval presence is not a mission but an enabling condition that crucially links navies to statecraft. Fundamentally challenging the mainstream approaches to American naval history during the interwar period, this book is the go-to reference to understand the tensions between the requirements of a navy deployed to shape peacetime stability and one preparing for the occurrence of war.'Alessio Patalano, Professor of War & Strategy in East Asia, King's College London'Theodore Roosevelt famously stated, "A good navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guarantee for peace." Navies exist to fight a nation's wars, but they are equally vital in serving a nation's peacetime needs. This book reminds scholars, readers of history, and contemporary seapower analysts alike of the enduring, but understudied and often underappreciated value of naval presence operations.'Sebastian Bruns, author of U.S. Naval Strategy and National Security: The Evolution of American Maritime PowerTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionI "A Force for Peace": The U.S. Navy and MarineCorps of the 1920s II "The Prestige of Its Flag": The U.S. Navy andMarine Corps of the 1930sConclusionBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisAmerica’s most popular progressive radio host and New York Times bestselling author Thom Hartmann paves the way to saving our democracy.In this powerful, sweeping history and analysis of American democracy, Thom Hartmann shows how democracy is the one form of governance most likely to produce peace and happiness among people.With the violent exception of the Civil War, American democracy resisted the pressure to disintegrate into factionalism for nearly two centuries, and now our very system of democratic elections is at stake. So how do we save our democracy?Hartmann’s newest book in the celebrated Hidden History Series offers a clear call to action and a set of solutions with road maps for individuals and communities to follow to create a safer, more just society and a more equitable and prosperous economy.

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Book SynopsisManaging Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Service Organizations: A Liberatory Justice Approach is a textbook designed to facilitate critical and courageous conversations that recognize our differences, including our privileged and marginalized social identities, and engage readers in the principles and practice of solidarity to transform systems of oppression. Examining dimensions of race, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, and their intersectionality in the context of diverse, multigenerational organizations, this leading-edge new textbook redefines and reimagines the role of public service in fostering meaningful, authentic, sustainable, and transformative change.While diversity is now a standard topic in books on public personnel and human resource management, authors Rashmi Chordiya and Meghna Sabharwal offer a deeper, nuanced, and reflective understanding of many of the systematic and often covert ways in which marginalized and minoritized group

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Book SynopsisAn ambitious study of our obsession with complicity that shows how we can all become good accomplices. Beyond Complicity is a fascinating cultural diagnosis that identifies our obsession with complicity as a symptom of a deeply divided society. The questions surrounding what it means to be legally complicit are the same ones we may ask ourselves as we evaluate our own and others'responsibility for inherited and ongoing harms, such as racism, sexism, and climate change: What does it mean that someone knew they were contributing to wrongdoing? How much involvement must a person have in orderto becomplicit? At what point are we obligated to intervene? Francine Banner ties together pop culture, politics, law, and social movements to provide a framework forthinking about what we know intuitively: that our society is defined by crisis, risk, and the quest to root out hazards at all costs. Engaging withlegal cases, historical examples, and contemporary case studies, Beyond Complicity unfoldsTrade Review"An insightful contribution to an urgent national conversation that shows few signs of abating." * Kirkus Reviews *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. Blood on Our Hands: Accomplices to Racism 2. Enabling, Laundering, Greenwashing: Complicity in Addiction, Sexual Misconduct, and Climate Change 3. Where There's Smoke, There's Fire: Criminal Accomplices 4. Accessories: White Women and Complicity 5. Assumptions of Risk 6. Beyond Complicity Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisFrom The Long Walk to The Outsider, Stephen King's output reflects the major political concerns of the previous fifty years. This book, Stephen King and American Politics, is the first sustained study of the complex ways in which King's texts speak to their unique political moments. By exploring this aspect of the author's popular works, readers might better understand the numerous crises that Americans currently face in a book that surveys King's corpus to address a wide range of issues - including the spread of neoliberalism, the Bush-Cheney doctrine, and the chaos of the populist present. Although his fiction outwardly declares itself to be anti-political - thus reflecting a widespread shift away from democracy in the aftermath of the 1960s - political energies persist just beneath the surface. Given the possibility of a political resurgence that haunts so many of his page-turners, Stephen King produces horror and hope in equal measure.Trade Review“Stephen King and American Politics provides the key for unlocking the political importance of Stephen King’s fiction. Through Michael Blouin’s perceptive analysis, this ostensibly apolitical fiction becomes the site for a completely unforeseen form of fictional politics that embraces the impossibility of its aims. This groundbreaking new book shows the possibility for reconceiving the politics of aesthetics through attention to how King’s narratives deploy the variegations of desire.” -- Todd McGowan, University of Vermont, author of Capitalism and Desire: The Psychic Cost of Free Markets“At a time when political partisanship has America in lockdown, Blouin argues the persistence of ambivalence in American culture—he conjures our usual demons and shows us how they refuse to be exorcised. This book is required reading not just for Stephen King’s politics, but for the contemporary Gothic altogether.” -- Steven Bruhm, Western University“King studies has evolved into a field that grows ever more populated and sophisticated because of work by young scholars such as Blouin, who reminds us that over five decades Stephen King has become so much more than America’s horrormeister. With this book, Blouin enters into the highest echelon of King’s critical interpreters.” -- Tony Magistrale, University of VermontTable of Contents1. Prelude: The (Im)possible Politics of Stephen King's Fiction 2. The Bachman Books and America's Death Drive 3. King's Cars and the Grinding Gears of Post-Fordism 4. Firestarter; Or, the Smelting of a Neoliberal Subject 5. IT, Individualism, and the Idea of Community 6. Interlude: The Langoliers and the Political Event 7. Human Capital in Rose Madder 8. Under the Dome and the Deteriorating Demos 9. The Outsider and the Shifting Shapes of Trumpism 10. Postlude: Revolutions of The Stand

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Book SynopsisPublic Management: A Research Overview provides a structured survey of the state of the art of public management research. Looking at the enduring themes of bureaucracy, autonomy, markets and collaboration, each chapter introduces key foundational studies before reviewing contemporary research. Although originally intended to maximise efficiency, work on bureaucracy points to the problems of red tape, contested accountabilities, performance management, merit and public service motivation. Autonomy research asks whether reforms intended to free subservient agencies from red tape and political interference have delivered the goods. Are autonomous service managers more focused on the needs of citizen-consumers and more entrepreneurial in their appetite for innovation? Marketisation reforms take a further step away from bureaucratic forms of control by exposing public services to market forces of one form or another. Competitive contracting and privatisation put public servicesTable of Contents1. Introduction 2. Bureaucracy and public management 3. Autonomy and public management 4. Marketisation and public management 5. Collaboration and public management 6. Changing agendas of public management research

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Book SynopsisLine of Advantage provides a groundbreaking and comprehensive account of the new grand strategy that emerged in Japan under Abe Shinzō. Michael J. Green draws on on two decades of access to Abe and other Japanese political, military, and business leaders, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of Japan’s approach.Trade ReviewThis is a detailed and thoughtful analysis of the strategic ambitions of one of Japan’s most important postwar political leaders. Its strength lies in its identification of Abe as one of Japan’s most important foreign policy thinkers and its detailed account of how Abe capitalized on foreign policy opportunities to better position Japan in a world that is increasingly challenging its postwar strategy. -- Sheila A. Smith, author of Japan Rearmed: The Politics of Military PowerFor a time, the United States was AWOL from our traditional duty as leader of the West. Michael J. Green thoughtfully and professionally chronicles the ascent of Abe into that void. Academically rigorous yet guided by a master policy maker’s feel, this is a book that Asianists will use as a resource well into the future. -- Richard L. Armitage, former deputy secretary of state and president of Armitage InternationalIn this extremely timely book, Michael J. Green sheds light on Japan’s emergence as a leader in its strategy on China, as well as in Abe’s politics and diplomacy. Green, a highly experienced scholar-practitioner, demonstrates formidable knowledge and profound insight on Japan’s history, geopolitics, and statecraft, peppering the text with many personal and intimate conversations with top U.S. and Japanese decision makers. He envisions the U.S.-Japan alliance as the twenty-first-century equivalent of the Anglo-American alliance, wearing the mantle of the Pacific mission and maritime strategy of John MacMurray and George Kennan. -- Yoichi Funabashi, author of Meltdown: Inside the Fukushima Nuclear CrisisLine of Advantage is a splendid book for developing an understanding of Japan’s changing grand strategy and its development across the political spectrum * East West Notes *Green knows Japanese foreign policy like few others. -- Andrew J. Nathan * Foreign Affairs *Named an editor's pick best book of 2022. * Foreign Affairs *A splendid book....a valuable resource for interested scholars, policy-makers, government officials, and even a more general audience of Japanese politics enthusiasts. It is an essential read to understand how Japan intends to navigate the years and decades to come. * International Affairs *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsA Note on Transliteration of Japanese Words and NamesIntroduction1. The Historic Roots of Modern Japanese Grand Strategy2. China3. The United States4. The Indo-Pacific5. Korea6. Internal BalancingConclusion: The End of the Yoshida DoctrineNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisExamining the complex confrontation between Jewish fundamentalism and Israeli political sovereignty, this study discusses Orthodoxy's divergent positions on Zionism, which range from radical condemnation to virtual beatification.

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Book SynopsisDispels the myth that people of color are somehow predisposed to poor health, blaming systemic injustice in the health care system. —New York Times Book ReviewLegendary comedian D.L. Hughley uses his hilarious yet soul-shaking (Black Enterprise) humor to confront racism''s unjust impact on the health and wellbeing of Blacks and minorities White people love survival guides. But have you noticed they’re always about ridiculous activities in locations far from home, with chapters like “How to Survive an Avalanche or How to Live on Bugs in the Jungle.” Huh?!You know who really needs a survival guide? Black and brown Americans. For surviving their own damn country! Minority populations wake up every day in a battle for their health and safety. Thankfully, legendary activist-comedian D.L. Hughley offers How to Survive America, a fearless satire that exposes racism’s unjust toll on our bodies and minds.Even before COVID-19 disproportionately impacted minority communities, life expectancy for Blacks was a full three years less than for white Americans. The very air we breathe is more polluted, our water is more contaminated, our local food options are toxic, and our jobs are underpaid. Despite the obvious need, the quality of our health care is tragically inadequate. Our communities are statistically less safe than the average, and yet we’re terrorized by the law-enforcement and criminal-justice systems that are supposed to protect us, sending Blacks to prison at five times the rate of whites. Not least, our means of addressing these injustices—voting—is perennially under assault.It’s enough to drive you crazy. Well, guess what? According to Cigna, Blacks are 20 percent more likely to report “psychological distress” yet “50 percent less likely to receive counseling or mental health treatment.” It’s almost like the entire country has been structured with no regard for our welfare. Hmmm.Whether you’re Black, white, brown, or Asian, don’t leave home without arming yourself with How to Survive America!

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Book Synopsis*WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD 2014*A young army captain who risked execution to swim from free-market Taiwan to Communist China.A barber who made $150 million in the gambling dens of Macau. The richest woman in China, a recycling tycoon known as the Wastepaper Queen'. Age of Ambition describes some of the billion individual lives that make up China's story one that unfolds on remote farms, in glittering mansions, and in the halls of power of the world's largest authoritarian regime. Together they describe the defining clash taking place today: between the individual and the Communist Party's struggle to retain control. Here is a China infused with a sense of boundless possibility and teeming romance. Yet it is also riven by contradictions. It is the world's largest buyer of Rolls Royces and Ferraris yet the word luxury' is banned from billboards. It has more Christians than members of the Communist Party. And why does a goveTrade ReviewThe rise of China is the biggest story of the past twenty-five years. Evan Osnos captures the country in all its striving, thunderous diversity, through a narrative that moves, provokes and makes us laugh. Age of Ambition is a marvel of great reporting, careful thinking, and powerful writing. -- Dexter FilkinsIf you have time to read only one book about China today, read this one. Woven from vignettes of Chinese life at many different levels, it provides unerring insights into what makes the Chinese the people they are while wearing its learning so lightly that the narrative never flags. It should be in every tourist’s baggage and every diplomat’s library. -- Philip Short, author of Mao: A LifeEvan Osnos is one of the most astute observers of contemporary China, and in this book he gives us a powerful and moving portrait of that country as it moves into the next decade. Using crisp and brilliant prose, Osnos uses some of the figures at the cutting edge of a changing China - artists, bloggers, religious leaders, and workers - to show us the strengths and weaknesses of this fast-changing and deeply important nation. This is a must-read book for those who want to understand China today - and where it is going. * Rana Mitter, Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China, University of Oxford *The best book on China I've ever read. Witty, indispensable, and often moving. I look forward to stealing Evan Osnos's wisdom and passing it off as my own for years to come. -- Gary ShteyngartFor most of a decade, Evan Osnos has been one of the most energetic, skilled, and thoughtful observers of China. Whether he’s accompanying Chinese tourists to the Best Western in Luxembourg or watching Ai Weiwei blur the lines between performance and protest, Osnos is always engaging. This is a wonderful book. -- Peter Hessler, author of River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze and Country Driving: A Chinese Road Trip

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Book SynopsisFaced with cancer and financial ruin, the Civil War''s greatest general and former president, Ulysses S. Grant wrote his personal memoirs to secure his family''s future. In doing so he won himself a unique place in American letters. Acclaimed by writers as diverse as Mark Twain and Gertrude Stein, Grant''s memoirs demonstrate the intelligence, intense determination, and laconic modesty that made him the Union''s foremost commander. PERSONAL MEMOIRS is devoted almost entirely to his life as a soldier. For their directness and clarity, his writings on war are without rival in American Literature.Trade Review"The best [memoirs] of any general's since Caesar." —Mark Twain "A unique expression of the national character . . . [Grant] has conveyed the suspense which was felt by himself and his army and by all who believed in the Union cause. The reader finds himself . . . on edge to know how the Civil War is coming out." —Edmund Wilson “Perhaps the most revelatory autobiography of high command to exist in any language. . . . If there is a single contemporary document which explains ‘why the North won the Civil war,’ that abiding conundrum of American historical inquiry, it is the Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.” —John Keegan “Well observed, often humorous, invariably charming, penetrating and lucid . . . On every page, his narrative has the simple directness of the finest English prose, inspired by the King James Bible on which he had been raised. The overall effect is both intimate and majestic.” —The GuardianTable of ContentsIntroduction by James M. McPhersonSuggestions for Further ReadingMaps and IllustrationsPreface1. Ancestry—Birth—Boyhood2. West Point—Graduation3. Army Life—Causes of the Mexican War—Camp Salubrity4. Corpus Christi—Mexican Smuggling—Spanish Rule in Mexico—Supplying Transportation5. Trip to Austin—Promotion to Full Second Lieutenant—Army of Occupation6. Advance of the Army—Crossing the Colorado—The Rio Grande7. The Mexican War—The Battle of Palo Alto—The Battle of Resaca de la Palma—Army of Invasion—General Taylor—Movement on Camargo8. Advance on Monterey—The Black Fort—The Battle of Monterey—Surrender of the City9. Political Intrigue—Buena Vista—Movement against Vera Cruz—Siege and Capture of Vera Cruz10. March to Jalapa—Battle of Cerro Gordo—Perote—Puebla—Scott and Taylor11. Advance on the City of Mexico—Battle of Contreras—Assault at Churubusco—Negotiations for Peace—Battle of Molino del Rey—Storming of Chapultepec—San Cosme—Evacuation of the City—Halls of the Montezumas12. Promotion to First Lieutenant—Capture of the City of Mexico—The Army—Mexican Soldiers—Peace Negotiations13. Treaty of Peace—Mexican Bull Fights—Regimental Quartermaster—Trip to Popcatapetl—Trip to the Caves of Mexico14. Return of the Army—Marriage—Ordered to the Pacific Coast—Crossing the Isthmus—Arrival at San Francisco15. San Francisco—Early California Experiences—Life on the Pacific Coast—Promoted Captain—Flush Times in California16. Resignation—Private Life—Life at Galena—The Coming Crisis17. Outbreak of the Rebellion—Presiding at a Union Meeting—Mustering Officer of State Troops—Lyon at Camp Jackson—Services Tendered to the Government18. Appointed Colonel of the 21st Illinois—Personnel of the Regiment—General Logan—March to Missouri—Movement against Harris at Florida, MO—General Pope in Command—Stationed at Mexico, MO19. Commissioned Brigadier-General—Command at Ironton, MO—Jefferson City—Cape Girardeau—General Prentiss—Seizure of Paducah—Headquarters at Cairo20. General Fremont in Command—Movement against Belmont—Battle of Belmont—A Narrow Escape—After the Battle21. General Halleck in Command—Commanding the District of Cairo—Movement on Fort Henry—Capture of Fort Henry22. Investment of Fort Donelson—The Naval Operations—Attack of the Enemy—Assaulting the Works—Surrender of the Fort 23. Promoted Major-General of Volunteers—Unoccupied Territory—Advance upon Nashville—Situation of the Troops—Confederate Retreat—Relieved of the Command—Restored to the Command—General Smith24. The Army at Pittsburg Landing—Injured by a Fall—The Confederate Attack at Shiloh—The First Day's Fight at Shiloh—General Sherman—Condition of the Army—Close of the First Day's Fight—The Second Day's Fight—Retreat and Defeat of the Confederates25. Struck by a Bullet—Precipitate Retreat of the Confederates—Intrenchments at Shiloh—General Buell—General Johnston—Remarks on Shiloh26. Halleck Assumes Command in the Field—The Advance upon Corinth—Occupation of Corinth—The Army Separated27. Headquarters Moved to Memphis—On the Road to Memphis—Escaping Jackson—Complaints and Requests—Halleck Appointed Commander-in-Chief—Return to Corinth—Movements of Bragg—Surrender of Clarksville—The Advance Upon Chattanooga—Sheridan Colonel of a Michigan Regiment28. Advance of Van Dorn and Price—Price Enters Iuka—Battle of Iuka30. The Campaign against Vicksburg—Employing the Freedmen—Occupation of Holly Springs—Sherman Ordered to Memphis—Sherman's Movements down the Mississippi—Van Dorn Captures Holly Springs—Collecting Forage and Food31. Headquarters Moved to Holly Springs—General McClernand in Command—Assuming Command at Young's Point—Operations above Vicksburg—Fortifications about Vicksburg—The Canal—Lake Providence—Operations at Yazoo Pass32. The Bayous West of the Mississippi—Criticisms of the Northern Press—Running the Batteries—Loss of the Indianola—Disposition of the Troops33. Attack on Grand Gulf—Operations below Vicksburg34. Capture of Port Gibson—Grierson's Raid—Occupation of Grand Gulf—Movement up the Big Black—Battle of Raymond35. Movement against Jackson—Fall of Jackson—Intercepting the Enemy—Battle of Champion's Hill36. Battle of Black River Bridge—Crossing the Big Black—Investment of Vicksburg—Assaulting the Works37. Siege of Vicksburg38. Johnston's Movements—Fortifications at Haines' Bluff—Explosion of the Mine—Explosion of the Second Mine—Preparing for the Assault—The Flag of Truce—Meeting with Pemberton—Negotiations for Surrender—Accepting the Terms—Surrender of Vicksburg39. Retrospect of the Campaign—Sherman's Movements—Proposed Movement upon Mobile—A Painful Accident—Ordered to Report at Cairo40. First Meeting with Secretary Stanton—General Rosecrans—Commanding Military Division of Mississippi—Andrew Johnson's Address—Arrival at Chattanooga41. Assuming the Command at Chattanooga—Opening a Line of Supplies—Battle of Wauhatchie—On the Picket Line42. Condition of the Army—Rebuilding the Railroad—General Burnside's Situation—Orders for Battle—Plans for the Attack—Hooker's Position—Sherman's Movements43. Preparations for Battle—Thomas Carries the First Line of the Enemy—Sherman Carries Missionary Ridge—Battle of Lookout Mountain—General Hooker's Fight44. Battle of Chattanooga—A Gallant Charge—Complete Rout of the Enemy—Pursuit of the Confederates—General Bragg—Remarks on Chattanooga45. The Relief of Knoxville—Headquarters Moved to Nashville—Visiting Knoxville—Cipher Dispatches—Withholding Orders46. Operations in Mississippi—Longstreet in East Tennessee—Commissioned Lieutenant-General—Commanding the Armies of the United States—First Interview with President Lincoln47. The Military Situation—Plans for the Campaign—Sheridan Assigned to Command of the Cavalry—Flank Movements—Forrest at Fort Pillow—General Banks's Expedition—Colonel Mosby—An Incident of the Wilderness Campaign48. Commencement of the Grand Campaign—General Butler's Position—Sheridan's First Raid49. Sherman's Campaign in Georgia—Siege of Atlanta—Death of General McPherson—Attempt to Capture Andersonville—Capture of Atlanta50. Grand Movement of the Army of the Potomac—Crossing the Rapidan—Entering the Wilderness—Battle of the Wilderness51. After the Battle—Telegraph and Signal Service—Movement by the Left Flank52. Battle of Spottsylvania—Hancock's Position—Assault of Warren's and Wright's Crops—Upton Promoted on the Field—Good News from Butler and Sheridan53. Hancock's Assault—Losses of the Confederates—Promotions Recommended—Discomfiture of the Enemy—Ewell's Attack—Reducing the Artillery54. Movement by the Left Flank—Battle of North Anna—An Incident of the March—Moving on Richmond—South of the Pamunkey—Position of the National Army55. Advance on Cold Harbor—An Anecdote of the War—Battle of Cold Harbor—Correspondence with Lee—Retrospective56. Left Flank Movement across the Chickahominy and James—General Lee—Visit to Butler—The Movement on Petersburg—The Investment of Petersburg57. Raid on the Virginia Central Railroad—Raid on the Weldon Railroad—Early's Movement upon Washington—Mining the Works before Petersburg—Explosion of the Mine before Petersburg—Campaign in the Shenandoah Valley—Capture of the Weldon Railroad58. Sheridan's Advance—Visit to Sheridan—Sheridan's Victory in the Shenandoah—Sheridan's Ride to Winchester—Close of the Campaign for the Winter59. The Campaign in Georgia—Sherman's March to the Sea—War Anecdotes—The March on Savannah—Investment of Savannah—Capture of Savannah60. The Battle of Franklin—The Battle of Nashville61. Expedition against Fort Fisher—Attack on the Fort—Failure of the Expedition—Second Expedition against the Fort—Capture of Fort Fisher62. Sherman's March North—Sheridan Ordered to Lynchburg—Canby Ordered to Move against Mobile—Movements of Schofield and Thomas—Capture of Columbia, South Carolina—Sherman in the Carolinas63. Arrival of the Peace Commissioners—Lincoln and the Peace Commissioners—An Anecdote of Lincoln—The Winter before Petersburg—Sheridan Destroys the Railroad—Gordon Carries the Picket Line—Parke Recaptures the Line—The Battle of White Oak Road64. Interview with Sheridan—Grand Movement of the Army of the Potomac—Sheridan's Advance on Five Forks—Battle of Five Forks—Parke and Wright Storm the Enemy's Line—Battles before Petersburg65. The Capture of Petersburg—Meeting President Lincoln in Petersburg—The Capture of Richmond—Pursuing the Enemy—Visit to Sheridan and Meade66. Battle of Sailor's Creek—Engagement at Farmville—Correspondence with General Lee—Sheridan Intercepts the Enemy67. Negotiations at Appomattox—Interview with Lee at McLean's House—The Terms of Surrender—Lee's Surrender—Interview with Lee after the Surrender68. Morale of the Two Armies—Relative Conditions of the North and South—President Lincoln Visits Richmond—Arrival at Washington—President Lincoln's Assassination—President Johnson's Policy69. Sherman and Johnston—Johnston's Surrender to Sherman—Capture of Mobile—Wilson's Expedition—Capture of Jefferson Davis—General Thomas's Qualities—Estimate of General Canby70. The End of the War—The March to Washington—One of Lincoln's Anecdotes—Grand Review at Washington—Characteristics of Lincoln and Stanton—Estimate of the Different Corps CommandersConclusionExplanatory NotesIndex

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Book SynopsisOrientalism is the term applied to scholarship that reduces Islam and Muslims to stereotypes of ignorance and violence in need of foreign control. It has been used to rationalize Europe''s colonial domination of most of the Muslim world and continued American-led interventions in the post-colonial period. In the past 30 years it has been represented by claims that a monolithic Islam and equally monolithic West are distinct civilizations, sharing nothing in common and, indeed, involved in an inevitable clash from which only one can emerge the winner. Most recently, it has appeared in Alt Right rhetoric. Anti-Muslim sentiment, measured in public opinion polls, hate crime statistics, and legislation, is reaching record levels. Since John Esposito published his first book nearly 40 years ago, he has been guiding readers beyond such politically charged stereotypes. The essays in this volume highlight the contributions of scholars from a variety of disciplines who, like -- and often inspired by -- John Esposito, recognize the misleading and politically dangerous nature of Orientalist polarizations. They present Islam as a multi-faceted and dynamic tradition embraced by communities in globally interconnected but substantially diverse contexts over the centuries. The contributors follow Esposito''s lead, stressing the profound commonalities among religions and replacing Orientalist discourse with holistic analyses of the complex historical phenomena that affect developments in all societies. In addition to chapters focusing on diversity among Muslims and interfaith relations, this collection includes chapters assessing the secular bias at the root of Orientalist scholarship, and contemporary iterations of Orientalism in the form of Islamophobia.Trade ReviewFew scholars have so thoroughly contested the stereotyping of Islam and Muslims typical of the Orientalist tradition, so it is fitting that this volume celebrating his scholarly achievements should contain so many original perspectives on contemporary Muslim movements. The authors do not shy away from controversies, as with the brutality of the ISIS so-called Caliphate, but they carefully set such movements in social and historical context. This is an essential book for understanding the contemporary Muslim world, which interrogates the glib assumptions of so much writing about this key region. * Juan Cole, Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History, University of Michigan *This volume is a worthy recognition of John Esposito's striking contributions over four decades to correcting the misperceptions and distortions in the public and policy apprehension, as well as the scholarly study, of Islam. Fittingly, it demystifies Islam by taking both the pull of first principles and the contestation over interpretations seriously. In so doing, it aptly highlights the possibilities of Scriptural manipulation and the variety of modern practice, but also the potential of religion to evolve and to elevate the human condition. * James Piscatori, Co-author of Islam Beyond Borders: The Umma in World Politics *Each of the authors applies Esposito's visionary identification of the flawed 'secular fundamentalist' approach of Western scholarship on political Islam to case studies that range from ISIS to interfaith dialogue and from Southeast Asia to Southside Chicago. This book brings into sharp relief the ways in which an awareness of the historic roots and contemporary shoots of Orientalism and Islamophobia are key to understanding culture and society on the level of the global, the local, and the individual. * Anne K. Rasmussen, author of Author, Women, the Recited Qur'an, and Islamic Music in Indonesia *Among his many academic accomplishments, John Esposito is especially esteemed for advancing the study of Islam as practiced and understood by Muslims the world over and for demonstrating its intrinsic importance as one of the three monotheistic faiths. In their articles, the contributors to this celebratory volume poignantly testify to Esposito's success in these endeavors. * Charles E. Butterworth, Emeritus Professor of Government & Politics, University of Maryland *Table of Contents1. Introduction Tamara Sonn SHAPING THE DISCOURSE: Countering the Secular Bias 2. 'After Enlightenment, Return to the Marketplace: The Scholar's Responsibility for a Broken World Karen Armstrong 3. The Secular Bias and the Study of Religious Politics: On John Esposito, Michael Walzer, and Political Islam Nader Hashemi DIVERSITY IN ISLAM: Whose Islam? 4. The Islamic Reformist Mosaic in Muslim Southeast Asia Khairudin Aljunied 5. Looking for the Caliphate in All the Wrong Places: ISIS and Its Reading of Scripture Asma Afsaruddin 6. How Islamic Is ISIS? Sohail H. Hashmi ISLAM AND PLURALISM: Interfaith Relations 7. Building Muslim-Buddhist Understanding: The Parallels of Taqwa/Allah Consciousness in the Qur'an and Satipatthana/Mindfulness in Anapanasati Sutta Imityaz Yusuf 8. Televangelizing Muslims: Christian Satellite Television and Its Impact on Muslim-Christian Relations in Jordan Jordan Denari Duffner ORIENTALISM 2.0: Islamophobia 9. The Social Construction of The Racial Muslim Sahar Aziz 10. Anti-Catholicism, Islamophobia, and White Supremacy in the United States Scott C. Alexander 11. Islam and Exceptionalism in the Western Policy Imagination Peter Mandaville 12. Pluralism, Authority, and Islamophobia: Shari`a and Its Discontents in North America Mohammad Fadel John L. Esposito: Select Bibliography Contributors Index

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Book SynopsisDrones quite possibly represent the most transformative military innovation since jet engines and atomic weaponry. No longer do humans have to engage in close military action or be in the same geographical vicinity as the target. Now, through satellite imaging and remote technology, countries such as the United States can destroy small targets halfway around the world with pinpoint accuracy.In the last several years, many of the military advancements have been rivaled by those in the commercial realm. Civilian industries have clamored to acquire drones for everything from monitoring crops to filming Hollywood movies to delivering packages. Not surprisingly, the use of drones has generated a lively debate, but no book thus far has engaged the range of themes surrounding drones. How do drones work? To what extent has the technology proliferated to other nations outside the US? How can they be used on the ground and in maritime environments? How are they being integrated into both militarTable of ContentsTable of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Armed Drone Technology 3. Proliferation of Drones to Other Countries 4. Drones for the Ground and Sea 5. Non-Combat Technology 6. The Future of Drones: Nano and Autonomous Systems, and Science Fiction

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Book SynopsisAimé Césaire is due a major critical reinterpretation and that is exactly what this book carries out. Through an in-depth grasp of the trajectory and core significance of Césaire''s work, Jason Allen-Paisant highlights a set of links it makes between ''spirit,'' ''poetry,'' and ''knowing''. These explications, setting Césaire''s work in relation to a rigorously accounted for set of influences, reframe how we understand his writings, enhancing their philosophical, rather than merely political, aspects. Engagements with Aimé Césaire: Thinking with Spirits is about more than Negritude (which has come to mean something less than a deep poetic sensibility with its own aspirational aesthetics and metaphysics, and rather something more like a fantasy-ridden iteration of pan-Africanism). It shows an Aimé Césaire deeply relevant to today: to the crises of ecological collapse, capitalist dystopias, and ideologies predicated upon fear and the threat of foreigners; and to contemporary chatter arouTrade ReviewJason Allen-Paisant introduces us to a pedagogy of spirit in which the rigid divisions of Western thought, and the rigid Western interpretations of Aimé Césaire, are transformed into a homage to the daily inspirited materialities of African/diasporic social poiesis. The most original and inspiring reading of Césaire in decades. * Professor Stefano Harney, Academy of Media Arts Cologne - co-author of The Undercommons: Fugitive Planning & Black Study *Stunning, sensuous, and urgent, Jason Allen-Paisant's poetic meditation on the ecopoetics of Aimé Cesaire is also a wholly original philosophical inquiry into the shifting ways of being human under conditions of coloniality and climate catastrophe. He gives us a vibrant new language, deeply rooted in the ancestral lands and Black vitality of his native Jamaica, to engage the vibrational intelligence of the earth, and open ourselves to a regenerative ethics of life. * Professor Kris Manjapra, Northeastern University - author of Black Ghost of Empire: The Long Death of Slavery and the Failure of Emancipation *Beautifully written and propelled by a fascinating new approach and its direct intervention to Aimé Césaire's scholarship, Thinking with Spirits will cement Jason Allen-Paisant's reputation as a rigorous critical thinker. * Professor Frieda Ekotto, University of Michigan - author of Race and Sex Across the French Atlantic: The Color of Black in Literary, Philosophical and Theater Discourse *

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Book SynopsisNorthern Ireland''s political system is dominated by an Irish Catholic nationalist versus British Protestant unionist faultline, based upon the long-running argument over whether the region should remain part of the United Kingdom or form part of a United Ireland. Yet the largest category of elector in Northern Ireland says they are neither a unionist nor a nationalist and the third most popular political party is now Alliance, which is not aligned to either of the two traditional constitutional positions. Drawing upon a unique in-depth survey of its members, this volume analyses the history and contemporary rise of Alliance and the surge of a centrist party in Northern Irish politics which is challenging the old order. How has a party which eschews ethnic bloc politics, has no constitutional preference, and contains a mix of Catholics, Protestants, and many of no religion come to prominence in a polity whose political institutions are framed upon an old binary divide? The Alliance P

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Book SynopsisAn extensive investigation of the rally-round-the-flag phenomenon of public opinion in the United States during wars and security crises. The rally-round-the-flag phenomenon in the United States is characterized by a sudden and sharp increase in the public approval rating of the sitting US president in response to a war or security crisis. While relatively uncommon, these moments can have a serious impact on policymaking as politicians might escalate a conflict abroad or restrict civil liberties at home. What, then, are the conditions and processes through which rallies have emerged? In Rally ''round the Flag, Yuval Feinstein revisits the phenomenon to answer this question. He examines both the conditions under which rally periods have emerged in the US and the processes that have generated these rallies to introduce a novel rally theory. Drawing on an original data set of conflicts covering 1950 to 2020 and survey data, Feinstein shows that the rally-round-the-flag effect is not an automatic public reaction to international conflicts. Rather, it is a rare event that emerges only under circumstances that lead most Americans to believe it is necessary to take military action to maintain or restore collective honor and gain the respect of other nations. He further attributes public opinion shifts during rally periods to nationalist emotions that people experience when they believe that the president''s actions effectively protect the nation''s honor and international prestige. Identifying the unique sets of conditions for the emergence of rallies, Rally ''round the Flag offers the most extensive investigation of this public opinion phenomenon and proposes future directions to research the topic for both the United States and other countries.Trade ReviewScholars, pundits, and citizens have long posited that presidents go to war to generate public support. Yet, scholarship has lagged behind these claims until now. This book provides the most comprehensive and insightful investigation of the rally around the flay effect. It specifics when it occurs and when it does not. It is required reading for all who care about American democracy and its place in the world. * James N. Druckman, Northwestern University *Packed with data, crucial cases, and an impressive, interdisciplinary range of cases and reference, Rally-Round-The-Flag presents a comprehensive, focused look at how national unity emerges from threats and crises. This is an essential work for understanding contemporary public opinion and political attachments. * Andrew J. Perrin, SNF Agora Institute Professor of Sociology, Johns Hopkins University *Feinstein's sweeping account of surges in presidential support following some-but not all-national crises seamlessly synthesizes structural, situational, and individual factors, placing the restoration of collective honor at the center of the explanation. This riveting study is an exemplar of multi-method comparative-historical inquiry and essential reading for anyone interested in US political culture and the transformative origins of the post-9/11 era. * Bart Bonikowski, Associate Professor of Sociology and Politics, New York University *Rally 'round the Flag will be valued as much as a methodological template for future work on rally effects asit will be for its theoretical contributions. * Social Forces *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments INTRODUCTION Chapter 1. The Puzzling Rally-round-the-Flag Phenomenon PART I. THEORY Chapter 2. The Rally Phenomenon in Light of Competing Approaches to Public Opinion Chapter 3. Why do People Really Rally? Context, Actors, Meaning. and Emotions PART II. INVESTIGATION Chapter 4. A Plan for Solving the Rally Puzzle Chapter 5. Saving the Nation's Face: Rallies in Militarized Conflicts Chapter 6. Standing Up Proudly: Rallies in the Aftermath of an Attack on the Nation Chapter 7. On the Verge of a Rally: Borderline Cases Chapter 8. Chivalrous Struggles: Rallies for Saving the Free World Chapter 9. War that Feels Good: The Role of Emotions in the Emergence of Rally Periods CONCLUSION Chapter 10. Moving Forward: Directions for Future Research on the Rally-round-the-Flag Phenomenon Appendix Notes References Index

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Book SynopsisThis book argues that the performance of our governments can be transformed by managing bureaucrats for their empowerment rather than compliance. Aimed at public sector workers, leaders, academics, and citizens alike, it contends that public sectors too often rely on a managerial approach which seeks to tightly monitor and control employees, and thus demotivates and repels the mission motivated. Mission Driven Bureaucrats suggests that better performance can in many cases come from a more empowerment-oriented managerial approach, which allows autonomy, cultivates feelings of competence, and creates connection to peers and purpose. This enables the mission motivated to thrive. Arguing against conventional wisdom, Honig asserts that compliance often thwarts public value and that we can often get less corruption and malfeasance with less monitoring. He provides a handbook of strategies for managers to introduce empowerment-oriented strategies into their agency and describes what everyday citizens can do to support the empowerment of bureaucrats in their governments. Interspersed throughout this book are featured profiles of real-life mission driven bureaucrats, who exemplify the dedication and motivation which is typical of many civil servants. Drawing on original empirical data from several countries and the prior work of other scholars from around the globe, Mission Driven Bureaucrats argues that empowerment-oriented management will cultivate, support, attract, and retain mission driven bureaucrats and should have a larger place in our thinking and practice.

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Book Synopsis.Trade ReviewAny course that deals with policy and expects students to write policy papers could use this book. The focus on succinct writing and ethics gives the book advantages. * Anna Marie Schuh, Roosevelt University *I added Smith's book two years ago and it has been a great hit. I have seen improvements in [students'] ability to communicate in written form in more appropriate ways (context specific) and in appropriate forms given the context of policy professionals providing their assessments, etc. This is a well-done task-forward, example-driven text on techniques for better written communication (and required knowledge for competence in this area) for Public Policy courses and other related courses." -Dennis Patterson, Texas Tech UniversityI highly recommend this text to colleagues. Its ability to explain meaning-making and why this is important in public policy messaging is a vital component of training students to be future public service leaders. * Matt Bagwell, Tarleton State University *Table of ContentsBrief Contents Preface Acknowledgements Introduction List of Illustrations and Examples Processes Chapter 1 Public Policy is Language Use Chapter 2 Communicating in Policymaking Practices Chapter 3 Definition: Describe the Problem Chapter 4 Evaluation: Analyze and Advise Chapter 5 Legislative History: Know the Record Chapter 6 Position Paper: Know the Arguments Chapter 7 Petition, Proposal, Letter: Request Action Chapter 8 Brief, Opinion, Ordinance: Inform Governance Chapter 9 Testimony: Witness in a Public Hearing Chapter 10 Public Comment: Influence Administration Conclusion: Ethics for Policy Communicators Appendix: Writing Clearly Suggested Reading Index Contents Preface Acknowledgements Introduction List of Illustrations and Examples Processes Chapter 1 Public Policy is Language Use Illustration 1: Administering Policy - Milk Labeling Illustration 2: A Policy Cycle - Financing Government Operations Illustration 3: Legislating Policy - State Constitutional Amendment Chapter 2 Communicating in Policymaking The Policy Communication Culture-Actors, Practices, Functions General Method for Communicating in Policy Work Two Checklists: Features of Effectiveness and Measures of Excellence Example Practices Chapter 3 Definition: Describe the Problem How to Get a Problem On (or Off) the Policy Agenda Four Examples Chapter 4 Evaluation: Analyze and Advise Sketch: Critical Reading and Writing in Policymaking Culture Illustration: Congressional Committee Hearing (Agroterrorism) How to Critically Evaluate Policy and Analyze Policy Discourse Two Examples Chapter 5 Legislative History: Know the Record Illustration: Searching Government Records Strategically for a Purpose How to Conduct Government Records Research and Write a Legislative History Two Examples Chapter 6 Position Paper: Know the Arguments How to Argue Policy Illustration: Arguing to Propose Changes in University Policy on Alcohol and Drug Use Illustration: Arguing to Oppose a Change in Federal Drug Control Policy Illustration: Arguing to Permit or Not Permit a Municipal Zoning Action Three Examples Chapter 7 Petition, Proposal, Letter: Request Action How to Request Action on Behalf of a Group Three Examples Chapter 8 Brief, Opinion, Ordinance: Inform Governance How to Inform Policymaking in a Briefing Memo, Opinion Statement, or Ordinance Three Examples Chapter 9 Testimony: Witness in a Public Hearing How to Deliver Oral Testimony Based on a Written Statement Three Examples Chapter 10 Public Comment: Influence Administration How to Write a Public Comment Three Examples Conclusion Ethics for Policy Communicators Appendix: Writing Clearly Suggested Reading Index

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Book SynopsisFor over half a century, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri repeatedly emerged from the shadows as a vengeful ideologue hell-bent on changing history. Dr. Sajjan M. Gohel provides the first definitive account of one of the world''s most wanted terrorists. Having grown up in an illustrious Egyptian family of physicians, lawyers, clergy, and politicians, al-Zawahiri was originally destined to become a successful doctor. However, he chose to rebel against his own society which he deemed to have deviated from its religious identity. By forming his own terrorist group, al-Zawahiri dedicated his life to sedition and violent rebellion against the international order. Ayman al-Zawahiri led a life incomparable to anyone else. The Egyptian found himself in many of the places where history was being determined. His journey takes us across Egypt, Sudan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as the United States and Russia. Through his close bond with Osama bin Laden, al-Zawahiri played a critical role

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Book SynopsisMuch has been written about the French Revolution and especially its bloody phase known as the Reign of Terror. The actions of the leaders who unleashed the massacres and public executions, especially Maximilien Robespierre and Georges Danton, are well known. They inspired many soldiers in the Revolutionary cause, who did not survive, let alone thrive, in the post-Revolutionary world.In this work of historical reconstruction, Jeff Horn recounts the life of Alexandre Rousselin and narrates the history of the age of the French Revolution from the perspective of an eyewitness. From a young age, Rousselin worked for and with some of the era''s most important men and women, giving him access to the corridors of power. Dedication to the ideals of the Revolution led him to accept the need for a system of Terror to save the Republic in 1793-94. Rousselin personally utilized violent methods to accomplish the state''s goals in Provins and Troyes. This terrorism marked his life. It led to his denunciation by its victims. He spent the next five decades trying to escape the consequences of his actions. His emotional responses as well as the practical measures he took to rehabilitate his reputation illuminate the hopes and fears of the revolutionaries. Across the first four decades of the nineteenth century, Rousselin acquired a noble title, the comte de Saint-Albin, and emerged as a wealthy press baron of the liberal newspaper Le Constitutionnel. But he could not escape his past. He retired to write his own version of his legacy and to protect his family from the consequences of his actions as a terrorist during the French Revolution.Rousselin''s life traces the complex twists and turns of the Revolution and demonstrates how one man was able to remake himself, from a revolutionary to a liberal, to accommodate regime change.Trade ReviewRelatively short, fast-paced, insightful, and well-written.... The significance of Horn's modest biography is that it reveals that for its main and secondary actors, particularly those rising in stature in Paris, the Terror was an urban jungle of rival political networks, always changing, forever on the edge of betrayal. Fast-moving events and a Rousseauian expectation for transparency ironically yielded a local political culture in which personal relationships—what we inaccurately call friendships—assumed unusual importance. * Gary Kates, American Historical Review *Horn's biography provides more insight into Rousselin's shift from terrorist to liberal-what could be dubbed "the unmaking of a terrorist"-than it does from revolutionary to terrorist. * Howard G. Brown, Journal of Modern History *Jeff Horn's new book provides an illuminating account of this astonishing story * K Steven Vincent, The European Legacy *In this fascinating biography, Horn recounts the life of Alexandre Rousselin, a little-known French revolutionary. Born a poor Parisian in 1773, Rousselin worked as personal secretary to Camille Desmoulins and Georges Danton and oversaw the Terror in Troyes. Imprisoned and released five separate times in the aftermath, Rousselin served in the Ministry of War during the Directory and then kept a low profile under Napoleon. After 1815, he was a political liberal,...a supporter of King Louis Philippe, and founder of Le Constitutionnel, for many years the world's bestselling newspaper. This book is reminiscent of...Forrest Gump, as Rousselin constantly reappears at critical moments of French history from the Revolution until his death in 1843....Though well researched, with a firm base in archival sources and Rousselin's own published work, the book is popularly written with an eye toward engaging undergraduate students and general readers. * CHOICE *The amazing account of an enfant terrible of the French Revolution who, through a complex mixture of idealism and opportunism, survived each succeeding regime to become a wealthy liberal journalist under the Restoration and the July Monarchy; and who passed from personal secretary of Georges Danton, to the friend of Benjamin Constant — and perhaps the lover of Josephine de Beauharnais — the associate of Adolph Thiers, and even an acquaintance of King Louis-Philippe (who was godfather to his son). A spectacular story. * Timothy Tackett, University of California, Irvine *At the age of nineteen Alexandre Rousselin became an advocate of terror as an active revolutionary, trying to make a better world. He spent much of the rest of his long life, under a succession of political regimes, trying to live down his part in the heady years of the Revolution. Horn has made a compelling choice for a biographical study; he uses Rousselin's life to shine new light on the seismic years of the French Revolution and what it meant to become a revolutionary. * Marisa Linton, author of Choosing Terror: Virtue, Friendship and Authenticity in the French Revolution *Jeff Horn recounts the astonishing tale of a poor Parisian boy who somehow became the private secretary of Danton and Desmoulins, survived the deadliest days of the Revolution, and died a wealthy newspaper magnate and liberal noble. This is an illuminating story of brilliance, daring, and maneuvering. * Peter McPhee, University of Melbourne *A gripping account of a fascinating figure who traversed some of the most momentous eras in modern history. Jeff Horn has a rare talent for finding overlooked historical evidence and a keen sense of the dilemmas faced by anyone who survives a high-level engagement with revolutionary politics. * Lynn Hunt, author of History: Why It Matters *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction: A Romantic Remembers the French Revolution Chapter 1: Education for Change, 1773-92 Chapter 2: The Making of a Terrorist, 1792-94 Chapter 3: The Consequences of Terror, 1794-96 Chapter 4: Rehabilitation: Political, Literary, and Social (1795-1815) Chapter 5: Liberalism and the Press (1816-38) Chapter 6: Remembering and Forgetting the French Revolution: Memories and Memoirs Conclusion: Satisfactions and Regrets of a Life in Revolution Appendix: Alexandre Rousselin and the Historians Timeline Notes Select Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisPlan Colombia and the Mérida Initiative are the two most significant US security assistance efforts in Latin America in the twenty-first century. At a time when US objectives in the Middle East and Central Asia were flagging, Colombia was a rare US foreign policy victory--a showcase for stabilization and security sector reform. Conversely, Mexico struggled to turn the tide on the country''s scourge of crime and violence, even with an influx of resources aimed at professionalizing the country''s security, defense, and judicial institutions. As Washington reconsiders its approach to stabilizing crisis countries after a challenging withdrawal from Afghanistan, From Peril to Partnership''s comparative analysis of Colombia and Mexico offers lessons for scholars and policymakers alike, providing insights into the efficacy of US security assistance and the necessary conditions and stakeholders in partner nations that facilitate success. Crucially, private sector support, interparty consensus

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Book SynopsisThis text examines how the political cultures of the elite and of the common people intersected during the 17th century in England. It looks at politics at all social levels and investigates how it was affected by expectations about women's roles in politics.Trade Reviewit is when we come to the relation between elite and popular culture during the Interregnum that the strengths of Underdown's approach - and the freshness of his conclusions - are most apparent ... A Freeborn People is stimulatingly and... courteously argued. * Times Literary Supplement *This is a book full of insights and fertile connections, based on a lifetime of research in the field. * David L. Smith, Selwyn College, Cambridge, Journal of Ecclesiastical History *Underdown's crisply written, stimulating volume takes the agenda one step further to challenge the compartmentalization of elite and popular politics ... an impressive survey of a century of English politics and culture, including the place of England's revolution in this period of change and continuity ... no one has advanced the argument before with such range and scholarly panache. * Barry Reay, University of Auckland, History *Underdown is incapable of writing uninterestingly ... the book suggests and stimulates * Blair Worden, History Today, January 1998 *This fine book provides an excellent brief summary of the thinking of David Underdown, one of the foremost living scholars of early modern English history ... In elegant and lucid prose, he presents compelling arguments against fashionable modern views about central questions in seventeenth-century English history and outlines his own interesting interpretation ... This is an excellent brief analysis of Stuart political life and its links with the social, cultural, and regional history of the period. * Johann P. Sommerville, American Historical Review *

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Book SynopsisIn the wake of the post-Cold War era, the aftermath of 9/11, the 2008 global financial crisis, and the emergence of the G20 at the leaders level, few commentators expected a reshaping of the global system towards multipolarity, and away from the United States. And yet, the BRICS - encompassing Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - has emerged as a challenge to the international status quo. But what is its capacity as a transformative force? And can it provide a significant counter-narrative to the Western dominated global order? In this Very Short Introduction Andrew Cooper explores the emergence of the BRICS as a concept. Drawing on historical precedent, Cooper provides a contemporary analysis of the BRICS'' practice and influence as as a forum and a lobby group in advancing a distinctive but amorphous agenda amongst global politics.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 ReviewCooper's very short introduction on the BRICS grouping indeed fills an important niche, providing a solid overview which can be read in a few hours and includes all the basic information. * Post-Western World *Table of Contents1. Framing the BRICS ; 2. A contested invention: The BRIC, BRICs, and the BRICS ; 3. A historical departure ; 4. Hanging together ; 5. Building the new development bank ; 6. BRICS as the recognition of states, not societies ; 7. The staying power of the BRICS ; Further Reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisWith an unrivalled combination of exceptional clarity and analysis, this introduction to politics is the perfect text with which to begin your studies of the political world.Trade ReviewExtremely well-written, fluid, and easily comprehensible... This book is a lot clearer than its competitors. * Cillian McGrattan, Ulster University *A clearly written introduction to a complex subject that does not talk down to a student audience. * David Moon, University of Bath *Dealing with contemporary issues and tensions, this book provides a very engaging introduction to the subject. * Edoardo Bressanelli, King's College London *The authors' frequent references to particular states, international organizations, and non-state actors throughout certainly demonstrate its applicability to the real world. * Scott Fitzsimmons, University of Limerick *Table of Contents1: Introduction: the nature of politics and political analysis 2: Politics and the State 3: Political Power, Authority, and the State 4: Democracy 5: Democracies, Democratization, and Authoritarian Regimes 6: Nations and Nationalism 7: The Ideal State 8: Ideologies 9: Political Economy: National and Global Perspectives 10: Institutions and States 11: Laws, Constitutions, and Federalism 12: Votes, Elections, Legislatures, and Legislators 13: Political Parties 14: Executives, Bureaucracies, Policy Studies, and Governance 15: The Media and Politics 16: Civil Society, Interest Groups, and Populism 17: Security and Insecurity 18: Governance and Organizations in Global Politics 19: Conclusion

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Book Synopsis- What caused the increased turbulence of British Politics in recent- How do policy blunders occur and why?- Why did Brexit happen, and what is the future of the UK-EU relationship?- How powerful are political parties in British Politics?- How is British politics shaped by variation and differentiation, especially across the nations of the UK?British Politics answers these fundamental questions, putting political science and public policy at its core to provide an analytical approach to British politics. The book''s three-part structure is designed to help students make sense of the British political system. Part A covers constitutional and institutional foundations: the formal set of politics, laws, procedures, and customs which make up the distinctive features of the political system. In Part B, political behaviour and citizenship is explored, looking at politics from the view of the everyday citizen by examining political parties and the media. Finally, part C looks at how power andTrade ReviewThis is a path-breaking textbook that will help significantly advance the teaching of undergraduate British Politics courses. * Dr Philip Catney, Senior Lecturer in Politics, Keele University, UK *A very lively and interesting exploration of contemporary UK politics. British Politics is admirably analytical, balanced and thoughtful. It will get undergraduates to think, which is key. It encourages them to consider rival perspectives on a debate. It covers a lot of ground and is authoritative and rigorous but always accessible. * Professor Jon Tonge, Professor of Politics, University of Liverpool, UK *An accessible yet sophisticated exposition of the British political system. Empirically rich and theoretically driven, it is a must-have resource for students of British politics. * Dr Richard Hayton, Associate Professor of Politics, University of Leeds, UK *Table of ContentsPart A: Constitutional and Institutional Foundations 1: The Starting Point: Understanding the Political System 2: Leadership from the Top 3: Debating Politics and Making Laws Part B: Political Behaviour and Citizenship 4: What People Think and Do about Politics 5: Winning and Losing Elections 6: The Media and Agenda Setting: Political Turbulence Part C: Policy-Making and Delegation 7: Interest Groups, Advocacy, and Policy-Making 8: Governing Through Bureaucracy 9: Governing From Below 10: Delegating Upwards: Challenges of International Politics 11: Conclusion: The State of British Democracy?

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Book SynopsisA unique new account of New Labour in power-drawing on a mass of previously unpublished contributions from most of the main players in the Blair government, including Tony Blair himself.Trade ReviewMaking me feel nostalgic for New Labour is quite an achievement. But the authors of a fascinating new book have somehow managed it ... a perceptive, scholarly study... * Iain Martin, The Times *A fascinating book. * Andrew Grice, The Independent *... fascinating retrospective ... It draws upon the rich seam of material from a host of distinguished contributors ... We hear a whole range of voices with a unique and previously unheard contribution to make [...] an account like this is long overdue. * Alan Johnson, The Spectator *A vital addition to the literature on the Blair government and New Labour ... a fascinating study, packed with first-hand accounts and primary sources, and one, as the authors posit, that the fair-minded reader will find particularly rewarding. * Robert Ledger, LSE Blogs *Davis and Rentoul make generous use of fascinating first-hand testimony. * Oliver Wiseman, CapX *Obviously well informed ... a useful source on the extreme disfunction of our unwritten constitution. * Natalie Bennett, Green World *The best survey of New Labour to date... * insidestory.org *This is an impressive new analysis of the conduct of UK government over the period 1997 to 2007... While there have been numerous treatments of this subject, the authors [...] manage to offer something here which feels genuinely original and different... Davis and Rentoul show how to make contemporary history both insightful and engaging. * Society of Professional Economists *Combining first-hand sources and independent judgement, this is the first book on the Blair-Brown years which moves beyond journalism, biography and memoir to being the first draft of history. * Ed Balls, Former Economic Secretary to the Treasury *The authors have had unprecedented access to the key figures of the Blair-Brown era and made brilliant use of it. Their superbly written book is meticulously researched, rich in insight and wise in judgement. * Sir Michael Barber *The Blair Government changed Britain radically and the reverberations echo through all our current debates. Now is the perfect time to review those years and this is the perfect guide. * Michael Gove *A stunning achievement. It is so well balanced and thoughtful, and makes masterly use of new evidence. It is a complete model of how to write a book. * Sir Anthony Seldon *Table of ContentsPrologue Introduction 1: The Blair-Brown Coalition 2: Sofa 3: Spin, Spads, and Sir Humphreys 4: The Treasury: The Brown-Balls Partnership 5: The Iraq War Conclusion Notes Index

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Book SynopsisThe second edition of Jews, Christians, Muslims: A Comparative Introduction to Monotheistic Religions, compares Judaism, Christianity, and Islam using seven common themes which are equally relevant to each tradition. Provoking critical thinking, this text addresses the cultural framework of religious meanings and explores the similarities and differences among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as it explains the ongoing process of interpretation in each religion. The book is designed for courses in Western and World Religions.Table of ContentsIN THIS SECTION:1.) BRIEF2.) COMPREHENSIVE BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS: Part I: Scripture and TraditionChapter 1: In JudaismChapter 2: In ChristianityChapter 3: In Islam Part II: Monotheism Chapter 4: In JudaismChapter 5: In ChristianityChapter 6: In Islam Part III: AuthorityChapter 7: In JudaismChapter 8: In ChristianityChapter 9: In Islam Part IV: Worship and RitualsChapter 10: In JudaismChapter 11: In ChristianityChapter 12: In Islam Part V: EthicsChapter 13: In JudaismChapter 14: In Christianity Chapter 15: In Islam Part VI: Material CultureChapter 16: In JudaismChapter 17: In ChristianityChapter 18: In Islam VII. Religion and the Political OrderChapter 19: In JudaismChapter 20: In ChristianityChapter 21: In Islam COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS: Part I: Scripture and Tradition Chapter 1: Scripture and Tradition in JudaismThe Bible’s History and the History or JudaismScripture and the Interpretive Tradition in Rabbinic JudaismScripture and Tradition in the History of JudaismThe “Rabbinization” of Medieval Judaism Chapter 2: Scripture and Tradition in ChristianityBible, Revelation, and ChristianityScripture and Interpretive Tradition in ChristianityScripture and Tradition in the History of Christianity Chapter 3: Scripture and Tradition in IslamThe Qur’an and the ProphetScripture and Interpretive Tradition in IslamQuestions for Discussion and Review Part II: Monotheism Chapter 4: Monotheism in JudaismStructuring Elements of Judaic TheologyJudaic Theology in Diverse Cultural SettingsJudaic Thought in Modern European Culture Chapter 5: Monotheism in ChristianityThe God of a New Revelation: Father, Son, and Holy SpiritDefining the Triune God Defining the Incarnate God Chapter 6: Monotheism in Islam Doctrines and Practices Islamic Monotheism: A Wider Perspective Questions for Discussion and Review Part III: Authority Chapter 7: Authority in JudaismBiblical Metaphors of Covenant Community Applications of Covenantal Models in the Dead Sea Yahad Covenantal Models and Rabbinic Tradition Chapter 8: Authority in Christianity Christian Construction of Authority Historical Development of Authority after 1500 Chapter 9: Authority in Islam Muhammad's Sunna as Perfect Pattern for Muslim Life The Shar+Aa As Islam's Supreme Authority The Sources of Jurisprudence (U.sk l al-Fiqh) Political Authority in Islam Part IV: Worship and Ritual Chapter 10: Worship and Ritual in Judaism The Halakhic Shaping of Religious Experience Modernity and the Ideal of Avodah Chapter 11: Worship and Ritual in Christianity Constructing a World in Ritual Transformation of Ritual Chapter 12: Worship and Ritual in Islam Foundations of Worship in Islam Islamic Life Cycle Rites Variations and Popular Practices Saint Veneration Questions for Discussion and Review Part V: Ethics Chapter 13: Ethics in Judaism Halakhah and the Cultivation of Character Halakhah and the Social Order Jewish Commitments in a Non-Halakhic Framework Chapter 14: Ethics in Christianity The Structure of Christian Ethics The Historical Development of Christian Ethics Chapter 15: Ethics in Islam Enjoining the Good and Forbidding the Evil The “Five Categories” or “Principles” of Actions Righteousness as True Piety Fear and Friendship Muslims “Think Globally, Act Locally” The Devil in the Details On the Boundary of Law and Morality: Some Contemporary Issues Questions for Discussion and Review Part VI: Material Culture Chapter 16: Material Culture in Judaism Judaic Material Culture: The Problem of Context The Synagogue as a Cultural Puzzle Marking the Jewishness of the Home The Book in Judaic Cultures The Symbolic Vocabulary of Costume Chapter 17: Material Culture in Christianity Relics Art and Architecture Images The Reformation Christianity and Print Culture Modernity and Religious Identity Chapter 18: Material Culture in Islam The Mosque as Both Islamic and Muslim Aspects of Material Culture Public Space in Muslim Perspective Muslim Domestic Space The Muslim Body: Clothing, Adornment, Cosmetics, Grooming Muslim Expressions of the Beautiful: Painting, the Decorative Arts, and Music Questions for Discussion and Review Part VII: Religion and the Political Order Chapter 19: Religion and the Political Order in Judaism The Jewish State Between Messiahs Jewish Self-Government Under Patriarch and Exilarch Jewish Autonomy Under Islamic and Christian Empires Judaism and the Modern European State Judaism and the Secular Jewish State Jewish Civil Religion in Israel and America Chapter 20: Religion and The Political Order in Christianity From Persecution to Rulership Secular and Sacred in Conflict The Reformation Pluralism: Churches and the State National Destinies Christianity and Violence in Modernity Sexuality and Gender Chapter 21: Religion and The Political Order in Islam Roots of Islamic Revival Islam and Reform in Modern Indonesia Political Islam Muslim Extremism Muslim Views of Sex and Gender Questions for Discussion and Review Notes Glossary Suggestions for Further Reading Timeline Credits Index

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Book SynopsisIntense passions are aroused by hurtful speech. In this study Richard Abel offers an original framework for understanding and attempting to resolve these conflicts and seeks to expose the inadequacies of the conventional responses to speech.

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Book SynopsisHow do people come to think of themselves as part of a nation? Dramas of Nationhood identifies a fantastic cultural form that binds together the Egyptian nationtelevision serials. These melodramatic programslike soap operas but more closely tied to political and social issues than their Western counterpartshave been shown on television in Egypt for more than thirty years. In this book, Lila Abu-Lughod examines the shifting politics of these serials and the way their contents both reflect and seek to direct the changing course of Islam, gender relations, and everyday life in this Middle Eastern nation. Representing a decade's worth of research, Dramas of Nationhood makes a case for the importance of studying television to answer larger questions about culture, power, and modern self-fashionings. Abu-Lughod explores the elements of developmentalist ideology and the visions of national progress that once dominated Egyptian televisionnow experiencing a crisis. She discusses the broadcasts in rich detail, from the generic emotional qualities of TV serials and the depictions of authentic national culture, to the debates inflamed by their deliberate strategies for combating religious extremism.

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Book SynopsisDon't talk to strangers is the advice long given to children by parents of all classes and races. Today it has blossomed into a fundamental precept of civic education, reflecting interracial distrust, personal and political alienation, and a profound suspicion of others. In this powerful and eloquent essay, Danielle Allen, a 2002 MacArthur Fellow, takes this maxim back to Little Rock, rooting out the seeds of distrust to replace them with a citizenship of political friendship. Returning to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954 and to the famous photograph of Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine, being cursed by fellow citizen Hazel Bryan, Allen argues that we have yet to complete the transition to political friendship that this moment offered. By combining brief readings of philosophers and political theorists with personal reflections on race politics in Chicago, Allen proposes strikingly practical techniques of citizenship. These tools of political frien

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Book SynopsisThe U.S. Congress is typically seen as an institution filled with career politicians who have been seasoned by experience in lower levels of political office. In fact, political amateurs have comprised roughly one quarter of the House of Representatives since 1930. The effect of amateurs' inexperience on their political careers, roles in Congress, and impact on the political system has never been analyzed in detail. Written in a lucid style accessible to the nonspecialist, David T. Canon's Actors, Athletes, and Astronauts is a definitive study of political amateurs in elections and in Congress. Canon examines the political conditions that prompt amateurs to run for office, why they win or lose, and whether elected amateurs behave differently from their experienced counterparts. Challenging previous work which presumed stable career structures and progressively ambitious candidates, his study reveals that amateurs are disproportionately elected in periods of high political opportunity, such as the 1930s for Democrats and 1980s for Republicans. Canon's detailed findings call for significant revision of our prevailing understanding of ambition theory and disarm monolithic interpretations of political amateurs. His unique typology of amateurism differentiates among policy-oriented, hopeless, or ambitious amateurs. The latter resemble their professional counterparts; hopeless amateurs are swept into office by strong partisan motivations and decision-making styles of each type vary, affecting their degree of success, but each type of amateur provides a necessary electoral balance by defeating entrenched incumbents rarely challenged by more experienced politicians.

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Book SynopsisIn the Enlightenment tradition, rationality is considered well-defined. However, the author of this study argues that rationality is context-dependent, and that the crucial context is determined by decision-makers' political power. He uses a real-world Danish project to illustrate this theory.

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Book SynopsisOffering an ancient education for our times, Jill Frank's A Democracy of Distinction interprets Aristotle's writings in a way that reimagines the foundations, aims, and practices of politics, ancient and modern. Concerned especially with the work of making a democracy of distinction, Frank shows that such a democracy requires freedom and equality achieved through the exercise of virtue. Moving back and forth between Aristotle's writings and contemporary legal and political theory, Frank breathes new life into our conceptions of property, justice, and law by viewing them not only as institutions but as dynamic activities as well. Frank's innovative approach to Aristotle stresses his appreciation of the tensions and complexities of politics so that we might rethink and reorganize our own political ideas and practices. A Democracy of Distinction will be of enormous value to classicists, political scientists, and anyone interested in revitalizing democratic theory and practice.

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Book SynopsisThis volume presents advanced studies that consider the fundamental difference of urban center versus decentralization that operates in the cities of New York and Los Angeles, while comparing politics and culture in each area.

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