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Understanding Biological Emergencies: From Bioterrorism to Pandemics
by Paula Stamps DustonThis book investigates the links between the main sources of biological emergencies and presents a comprehensive policy framework that seeks to achieve the ultimate goal of biological security.The work offers a new interdisciplinary approach to analyse the linkages between the three main sources of biological emergencies: intentional attacks, natural zoonotic transmission, and lab accidents. In doing so, the text describes the history of using nature to create a weapon, focusing on dispersal methods. The most important Select Agents for monitoring are described, with a special focus on anthrax and smallpox. The case studies presented include the use of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in Iraq and the 2001 anthrax attack in the US. The policies that created the emergency preparedness system are analysed, and the current system is described in terms of their effectiveness in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The book concludes with some ideas and specific suggestions for moving from response to risk reduction and prevention.This book will be of much interest to students of biosecurity studies, public health, public policy, political science and international relations, and to professionals working in the fields of public health, public safety, medicine, nursing, and first responders as well as military personnel.
Understanding Boko Haram: Terrorism and Insurgency in Africa (Contemporary Terrorism Studies)
by Hussein Solomon James J. HentzThe primary objective of this book is to understand the nature of the Boko Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria. Boko Haram’s goal of an Islamic Caliphate, starting in the Borno State in the North East that will eventually cover the areas of the former Kanem-Borno Empire, is a rejection of the modern state system forced on it by the West. The central theme of this volume examines the relationship between the failure of the state-building project in Nigeria and the outbreak and nature of insurgency. At the heart of the Boko Haram phenomenon is a country racked with cleavages, making it hard for Nigeria to cohere as a modern state. Part I introduces this theme and places the Boko Haram insurgency in a historical context. There are, however, multiple cleavages in Nigeria ̶ ethnic, regional, cultural, and religious ̶ and Part II examines the different state-society dynamics fuelling the conflict. Political grievances are common to every society; however, what gives Boko Haram the space to express such grievances through violence? Importantly, this volume demonstrates that the insurgency is, in fact, a reflection of the hollowness within Nigeria’s overall security. Part III looks at the responses to Boko Haram by Nigeria, neighbouring states, and external actors. For Western actors, Boko Haram is seen as part of the "global war on terror" and the fact that it has pledged allegiance to ISIS encourages this framing. However, as the chapters here discuss, this is an over-simplification of Boko Haram and the West needs to address the multiple dimension of Boko Haram. This book will be of much interest to students of terrorism and political violence, insurgencies, African politics, war and conflict studies, and IR in general.
Understanding Brecht
by Walter BenjaminA collection of essays of political philosophy by the renowned mid 20th-century critical theorist and literary criticThe relationship between philosopher-critic Walter Benjamin and playwright-poet Bertolt Brecht was both a lasting friendship and a powerful intellectual partnership. Having met in the late 1920s in Germany, Benjamin and Brecht, both independently minded Marxists with a deep understanding of and passionate commitment to the emancipatory potential of cultural practices, continued to discuss, argue and correspond on topics as varied as Fascism and the work of Franz Kafka. Faced by the onset of the &‘midnight of the century&’, with the Nazi subversion of the Weimar Republic in Germany and the Stalinist degeneration of the revolution in Russia, both men, in their own way, strove to keep alive the tradition of dialectical critique of the existing order and radical intervention in the world to transform it.In Understanding Brecht we find collected together Benjamin&’s most sensitive and probing writing on the dramatic and poetic work of his friend and tutor. Stimulated by Brecht&’s oeuvre and theorising his particular dramatic techniques—such as the famous &‘estrangement effect&’—Benjamin developed his own ideas about the role of art and the artist in crisis-ridden society.This volume contains Benjamin&’s introductions to Brecht&’s theory or epic theatre and close textual analyses of twelve poems by Brecht (printed in translation here) which exemplify Benjamin&’s insistence that literary form and content are indivisible. Elsewhere Benjamin discusses the plays The Mother, Terror and Misery of the Third Reich, and The Threepenny Opera, digressing for some general remarks on Marx and satire.Here we also find Benjamin&’s masterful essay &“The Author as Producer&” as well as an extract from his diaries that records the intense conversations held in the late 1930s in Denmark (Brecht&’s place of exile) between the two most important cultural theorists of this century. In these discussions, the two men talked of subjects as diverse as the work of Franz Kafka, the unfolding Soviet Trials, and the problems of literary work on the edge of international war.
Understanding Brexit Options: What future for Britain?
by David KaudersIs the existing trade agreement good enough? Get facts, not spin! The basic trade and cooperation agreement has proved woefully insufficient for Britain's needs. It has reduced the supply of doctors, nurses, lorry drivers, agricultural and hospitality workers, bringing pressure and chaos to everyday life. It has hit or will damage exports and employment in fishing, food, artistic and other services and it threatens the peace in Ireland. Leaving the EU internal energy market has increased energy prices relative to the rest of Europe. Promised new trade opportunities have vanished. This book explains alternative relationships with Europe. The detrimental effect on trade in both goods and services that has been caused by leaving the single market was entirely foreseeable. As the United Kingdom's relationship with Europe changes and evolves, the book documents better options that Britain needs but are rejected by its politicians. Reviews “The need for a reasoned and sensible debate about the impact of Brexit has never been higher, with continued Government obfuscation about what Britain’s exit from the EU will entail. David Kauders’ well-researched book concisely explains the different Brexit options available and details their implications, with the case for Britain’s continued access to the single market shining through. Kauders’ work should be required reading for all those wishing to quickly grasp the consequences of Brexit” - Lord Bilimoria, Chairman, Cobra Beer Partnership and Cross Bench member of the House of Lords
Understanding Brexit: A Concise Introduction
by Tim OliverUnderstanding Brexit provides a concise introduction to the past, present and future of one of the most important and controversial topics in modern British politics. Written for both those familiar with the topic and those new to it, the book sets out in a clear and accessible way many of the fundamentals for understanding why Britain voted to leave the European Union and what happens next.
Understanding CCI through Chinese Theatre
by Haili MaThis book examines the development of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) in China through the angle of Chinese Theatre, xiqu. It focuses on the political and socio-economic transition period at the turn of the 21st century, as China evolves from ‘Made in China’ to ‘Created in China’, highlighting associated class reconstruction and cultural production and consumption. There are many forms of Chinese Theatre, the most popular one throughout Chinese history to date is the sing-song drama, collectively refers to as xiqu, which currently has over 300 regional styles across China. In 2014, President Xi Jinping’s Beijing Talk on Arts and Literature, which serves as China’s latest Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ideological direction and cultural policy, stressed that ‘the future of Chinese cultural and creative industries is to be anchored on traditional art forms, such as xiqu’. Such Chinese cultural and creative industry distinction will be addressed in this book.
Understanding Campus-Community Partnerships in Conflict Zones: Engaging Students for Transformative Change
by Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian Dalya Yafa Markovich Daphna GolanThis book explores the opportunities and limitations of campus-community partnerships in Israel. In a conflict-ridden society with a struggling civic culture, the chapters examine partnerships at ten academic institutions, focusing on the micro-processes through which these partnerships work from the perspectives of students, NGOs, and disadvantaged communities. The editors and contributors analyse the range of strategies and cultural repertoires used to construct, maintain, negotiate and resist the various partnerships. Evaluating the various challenges raised by campus-community partnerships exposes the institutional and epistemological divides between academia and the community, and thus offers valuable insights into the ways partnerships can contribute to transformative change in conflict zones. This book will be of interest and value to researchers and students of campus-community partnerships as well as the anthropology of inclusion-exclusion and civic culture.
Understanding Canadian Public Administration: An Introduction to Theory and Practice, Fifth Edition
by Gregory J. InwoodUnderstanding Canadian Public Administration introduces students to both the theory and the practice of public administration in Canada. It surveys the basic elements of the field in a historical context, but with close attention to contemporary issues and developments, to emphasize the real, day-to-day impacts of public administration. The text provides an overview of the field in the context of democratic government, including a comparison of the roles of the private and public sectors. The real world of government is examined, with a focus on how theoretical ideas are translated into practice. This fifth edition features updates on topical issues and new developments in the field, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on governmental policy and action, as well as new and updated sections on Aboriginal self-government, human resources, accountability, financial management, and intergovernmental administrative relations. Understanding Canadian Public Administration invites students to examine the issues of public administration from their own viewpoints and through their own experiences, bringing the field to life and making it immediately relevant to their current context.
Understanding Central America
by Thomas W. Walker Christine J. Wade John A. BoothIn this new edition of a widely praised book, two of the most respected writers on Central American politics explore the origins and development of the region's political conflicts and efforts to resolve them. Highlights of the third edition include an analysis of the 1992 Salvadoran peace accord, the 1996 Nicaraguan national election and prospects for consolidation of democracy in Nicaragua, and Guatemala's troubled transition toward greater democracy, as well as a new chapter that examines how U. S. foreign policy during the 1970s and 1980s was shaped by the Cold War.
Understanding Central America
by Thomas W. Walker Christine J. Wade John A. BoothThe fifth edition of Understanding Central America explains how domestic and global political and economic forces have shaped rebellion and regime change in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. John A. Booth, Christine J. Wade, and Thomas W. Walker explore the origins and development of the region's political conflicts and its efforts to resolve them. Covering the region's political and economic development from the early 1800s onward, the authors provide a background for understanding Central America's rebellion and regime change of the past forty years. This revised edition brings the Central American story up to date, with special emphasis on globalization, evolving public opinion, progress toward democratic consolidation, and the relationship between Central America and the United States under the Obama administration, and includes analysis of the 2009 Honduran coup d'état. A useful introduction to the region and a model for how to convey its complexities in language readers will comprehend, Understanding Central America stands out as a must-have resource.
Understanding Central America
by Thomas W. Walker Christine J. Wade John A. BoothThe fifth edition of Understanding Central America explains how domestic and global political and economic forces have shaped rebellion and regime change in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. John A. Booth, Christine J. Wade, and Thomas W. Walker explore the origins and development of the region's political conflicts and its efforts to resolve them. Covering the region's political and economic development from the early 1800s onward, the authors provide a background for understanding Central America's rebellion and regime change of the past forty years. This revised edition brings the Central American story up to date, with special emphasis on globalization, evolving public opinion, progress toward democratic consolidation, and the relationship between Central America and the United States under the Obama administration, and includes analysis of the 2009 Honduran coup d'état. A useful introduction to the region and a model for how to convey its complexities in language readers will comprehend, Understanding Central America stands out as a must-have resource.
Understanding Central America
by Christine J. Wade John A. Booth Thomas W WalkerThis edition of Understanding Central America explains how domestic and global political and economic forces have shaped rebellion and regime change in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. John A. Booth, Christine J. Wade, and Thomas W. Walker explore the origins and development of the region's political conflicts and its efforts to resolve them. Covering the region's political and economic development from the early 1800s onward, the authors provide a background for understanding Central America's rebellion and regime change of the past forty years.
Understanding Central America
by Christine J. Wade John A. Booth Thomas WalkerUnderstanding Central America explains how domestic, global, political, and economic forces have shaped rebellion and regime change in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras throughout their histories, during the often-turbulent 1970s and since. The authors explain the origins and development of the region’s political conflicts, their resolution and ongoing political change. This sixth edition provides analysis of citizens’ attitudes and participation through 2012 and up-to-date information on political changes in each of the five countries, including the 2013 and 2014 elections. Recent developments include dramatic changes in party systems in Honduras, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua; the extremely narrow victory of the newly elected FMLN president in El Salvador; and Guatemala’s prosecution of human rights abusers. This book is an essential resource, as it provides a comprehensive introduction to the region and a model for how to convey its complexities in accessible language.
Understanding Central America: Global Forces and Political Change
by Thomas W. Walker Christine J. Wade John A. BoothIn this seventh edition, John A. Booth, Christine J. Wade, and Thomas W. Walker update a classic in the field which invites students to explore the histories, economies, and politics of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Covering the region's political and economic development from the early 1800s onward, the authors bring the Central American story up to date. New to the 7th Edition: Analysis of trends in human rights performance, political violence, and evolution of regime types; Updated findings from surveys to examine levels of political participation and support for democratic norms among Central Americans; Historical and current-era material on indigenous peoples and other racial minorities; Discussion of popular attitudes toward political rights for homosexuals, and LGBTQ access to public services; Discussion of women’s rights and access to reproductive health services, and women’s integration into elective offices; Tracing evolving party systems, national elections, and US policy toward the region under the Obama and Trump administrations; Central America’s international concerns including Venezuela’s shrinking role as an alternative source of foreign aid and antagonist to US policy in the region, and migration among and through Central American nations. Understanding Central America is an ideal text for all students of Latin American politics and is highly recommended for courses on Central American politics, social systems, and history.
Understanding Central America: Global Forces, Rebellion, and Change
by John A. BoothUnderstanding Central America explains how domestic, global, political and economic forces have shaped rebellion and regime change in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras throughout their histories, during the often-turbulent 1970s and since. The text provides students a comprehensive coverage of Central America, political science, and international relations. The authors explain the origins and development of the region's political conflicts, their resolution and ongoing political change. This Sixth Edition provides the most up-to-date information on the recent political changes in each of the five countries presented.
Understanding Central Asia: Politics and Contested Transformations
by Sally N. CummingsSince Soviet collapse, the independent republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have faced tremendous political, economic, and security challenges. Focusing on these five republics, this textbook analyzes the contending understandings of the politics of the past, present and future transformations of Central Asia, including its place in international security and world politics. Analysing the transformation that independence has brought and tracing the geography, history, culture, identity, institutions and economics of Central Asia, it locates ‘the political’ in the region. A comprehensive examination of the politics of Central Asia, this insightful book is of interest both to undergraduate and graduate students of Asian Politics, Post-Communist Politics, Comparative Politics and International Relations, and to scholars and professionals in the region.
Understanding Children's Personal Lives and Relationships (Palgrave Macmillan Studies in Family and Intimate Life)
by Hayley DaviesInformed by ethnographic research with children, Davies offers new sociological insights into children's personal relationships, as well as closely examining methodological approaches to researching with children and researching relationships.
Understanding China Today
by Silvio Beretta Axel Berkofsky Lihong ZhangThis book covers numerous areas and aspects of Chinese domestic and external politics and policies, the Chinese economy, Chinese society and culture, and Chinese literature and history. It is divided into four sections, the first of which focuses on China's place in world politics, including its relations with the European Union, Russia, India, Japan, the United States, and Africa. The second section addresses features of China's role in the international economy, with discussion of its outward economic strategy, the significance of Chinese multinationals in Europe, and the experiences of Italian banks and companies in China. The final two sections are devoted to Chinese politics and society, and Italian views on Chinese culture, language, and literature. The volume is multidisciplinary in nature, with contributions from experts in politics, economics, history, law, literature, gender studies, and the media. It will appeal to a wide range of China scholars and analysts as well as to all who have an interest in international relations, Chinese politics, the Chinese economy, and Chinese society, culture, literature, and history.
Understanding China's Overcapacity
by Ying Liu Dianqing XuThis book analyzes of the surplus of production capacity in China. According to a government statement, there is a serious surplus of productive capacity in the steel, cement, glass, aluminum, and shipbuilding industries. There was no surplus of productive capacity in above industries between 2002 and 2012, and the current surplus is due to poor government policies on real estate prices after 2012. The book argues that if the Chinese government invested more in social welfare housing over the next few years the surplus of productive capacity would very soon disappear.
Understanding China's International Relations 理解中国的国际关系: Chinese for Advanced Learners 高级中文
by Zhiyan Guo Jing Fang Ruth HerdChina’s influence on the international stage has grown significantly over recent decades. Alongside the rapid development of its economy, the country has come to play a key role within the global configuration of politics and diplomacy. It has therefore become vital that students of Chinese acquire advanced language skills. This book familiarises students with the use of the formal register, allowing them to extend their proficiency to the advanced level in the skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. In this way, students may also increase their understanding of China’s cultural heritage, politics, and international relations.The texts chosen are written in a variety of styles and employ various forms of Chinese discourse in order that students may achieve greater breadth and depth in their knowledge of grammar and syntax. Moreover, students will find that there is ample opportunity to develop the tools with which to express opinions appropriately, both orally and in writing. The selection of materials in the book has been based on the CEFR (Common European Framework for Reference) B2 and above, the Advanced level of ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages), and Grades 5 (HSK 5) and above of the newly-published version of the Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education. Full audio is available online.
Understanding China's New Common Prosperity: Significance, Connotations, and Goals
by Song Yang Liu Yuanchun Wang Fei Zhou GuangsuThis book explains China's new common prosperity policies—their significance, connotations, and goals—and explains the economic logic behind these often misunderstood policies. First, the authors explain the theory behind common prosperity. Why is the Chinese government changing its economic policies now, and what is its objectives and metrics? The authors then go on to explain how the new policies are being designed, what the test cases are across the country, and how the government, businesses, families, and individuals are working together to promote common prosperity. An important book that will help scholars around the world understand China's new economic bottom line. This book will be of interest to economists, sociologists, and sinologists.
Understanding China: A Guide to China's Economy, History, and Political Culture
by John Bryan StarrAfter ten years, John Bryan Starr has thoroughly revised and updated his classic introduction to the background of, the data about, and the issues at stake in China's present and future. In the new edition, Starr seamlessly weaves in additional material on the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the Chinese government's ongoing efforts to curb the influence of the Internet, and the intensifying trade disputes between the United States and China. Succinct, modest, and refreshingly forthright, Understanding China remains a necessary guide for the uninitiated to everything from the Chinese economy and political system, to its intellectual freedoms and human rights, to its relationship with the rest of the world.
Understanding China: A Guide to China's Economy, History, and Political Structure
by John BryanAn introduction to China's economics and political system.
Understanding China’s Behaviour in the South China Sea: A Defensive Realist Perspective
by Klaus Heinrich RaditioThis book analyses the origins of security dilemmas in the South China Sea (SCS) and the significance of China’s actions in asserting its claim from the perspective of defensive realist theory. In its analysis, the book argues that security dilemmas in the SCS first arose between China and other SCS claimants, and then between China and the United States. Research in this book provides significant support to the defensive realist theory vis-à-vis offensive realism. It encourages adopting a reassurance policy to reach a peaceful resolution to the SCS disputes between China, the other claimants, and the United States. The book will be useful for policymakers, academics, researchers and students.
Understanding China’s Belt and Road Initiative (Asia in Transition #26)
by Hong YuThis open access book provokes critical thinking regarding the most ambitious Chinese project since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The book presents extensive quality research and original insights in assessing the status of China’s outbound investment and construction projects under the BRI umbrella. Referring to case studies and projects of selected countries from Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, the author sheds new light on the issues and problems associated with the BRI's implementation and discusses both the readjustments and prospects for the BRI. Finally, this book demarcates the limits and potential of the world’s second largest economy in pushing for the BRI, which is challenged by enormous domestic tensions and external pressures. It also identifies and analyzes potential new collaboration areas between the Belt and Road countries and China under the BRI framework in the context of the post-COVID-19 era. It provides an outstanding reference for academics, students, policymakers, and the business community working in areas of international affairs and Asian economics and development, particularly those interested in Sino-relations and Chinese power dynamics in the global world order.