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Negativity and Revolution: Adorno and Political Activism
by John Holloway Fernando Matamoros Sergio TischlerHow can activists combat the political paralysis that characterises the anti-dialectical Marxism of Foucault, Derrida and Deleuze, without reverting to a dogmatic orthodoxy? This book explores solutions in the 'negative dialectics' of Theodor Adorno.*BR**BR*The poststructuralist shift from dialectics to 'difference' has been so popular that it becomes difficult to create meaningful revolutionary responses to neoliberalism. The contributors to this volume come from within the anti-capitalist movement, and close to the concerns expressed in Negri and Hardt's Empire and Multitude. However, they argue forcefully and persuasively for a return to dialectics so a real-world, radical challenge to the current order can be constructed.*BR**BR*This is a passionate call to arms for the anti-capitalist movement. It should be read by all engaged activists and students of political and critical theory.
Jewish History, Jewish Religion: The Weight of Three Thousand Years (Get Political)
by Israel ShahakIsrael Shahak was a remarkable man. Born in the Warsaw ghetto and a survivor of Belsen, Shahak arrived in Israel in 1945. Brought up under Jewish Orthodoxy and Hebrew culture, he consistently opposed the expansion of the borders of Israel from 1967.*BR**BR*In this extraordinary and highly acclaimed book, Shahak embarks on a provocative study of the extent to which the secular state of Israel has been shaped by religious orthodoxies of an invidious and potentially lethal nature. Drawing on the Talmud and rabbinical laws, Shahak argues that the roots of Jewish chauvinism and religious fanaticism must be understood before it is too late. *BR**BR*Written from a humanitarian viewpoint by a Jewish scholar, this is a rare and highly controversial criticism of Israel that will both excite and disturb readers worldwide.
People Power: Unarmed Resistance and Global Solidarity
by Howard ClarkAcross the world, nonviolent movements are at the forefront of resistance against repression, imperial aggression and corporate abuse. However, it is often difficult for activists in other countries to know how best to assist such movements.*BR**BR*The contributors to People Power place nonviolent struggles in an international context where solidarity can play a crucial role. Yet they also warn that good intentions are not enough, solidarity has to listen to local movements. *BR**BR*Examining movements from Zimbabwe to Burma and Palestine, the contributors assess various forms of solidarity, arguing that a central role of solidarity is to strengthen the counter-power of those resisting domination and oppression.
World in Crisis: The End of the American Century
by Gabriel KolkoWorld in Crisis is a new book from one of the world's leading scholars.*BR**BR*Gabriel Kolko provides a panoramic overview of the problems facing the US and the world today. Each chapter covers a key topic, spanning a range of international issues including the current financial crisis, the limits of US foreign policy, the politicisation of intelligence, and why a war with Iran would by likely to culminate in disaster for the US. Kolko also outlines why changes in military technology make all wars, no matter who fights them, increasingly futile.*BR**BR*At the heart of the book is the idea that the international system is in the grip of a great transition. Kolko shows how America is losing its dominance, and examines the profound changes we are experiencing as it is forced to accept the limits of its military power.
Revolutionary Social Change in Colombia: The Origin and Direction of the FARC-EP
by James J. BrittainAlthough they are one of the most powerful military forces in Latin American history, little is known about the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP). This book explains why this political military movement came into existence and assesses whether the methods employed by the insurgency have the potential to free those marginalised in Colombia.*BR**BR*By evaluating the FARC-EP's actions, ideological construction, and their theoretical placement, the book gauges how this guerrilla movement relates to revolutionary theory and practice and through what tangible mechanisms, if any, they are creating a new Colombia.
My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gaza's Untold Story
by Ramzy BaroudThis book is a personal account of the daily lives of the people of the frontline of the Palestine / Israel conflict, giving us an insight into the deadly, seemingly never-ending rounds of violence.*BR**BR*Ramzy Baroud tells his father's fascinating story. Driven out of his village to a refugee camp, he took up arms and fought the occupation at the same time raising a family and trying to do the best for his children. *BR**BR*Baroud's vivid and honest account reveals the complex human beings; revolutionaries, great moms and dads, lovers, and comedians that make Gaza so much more than just a disputed territory.
The Will of the Many: How the Alterglobalisation Movement is Changing the Face of Democracy (Anthropology, Culture and Society)
by Marianne MaeckelberghNever before has the idea of democracy enjoyed the global dominance it holds today, but neoliberalism has left the practice of democracy in deep crisis. *BR**BR*This book argues that the most promising model for global democracy is not coming from traditional political parties or international institutions, but from the global networks of resistance to neoliberal economics, known collectively as the Alter-globalisation movement. Through extensive ethnography of decision-making practices within these movements, Maeckelbergh describes an alternative form of global democracy in the making. *BR**BR*Perfect for activists and students of political anthropology, this powerful and enlightening book offers radical changes.
Human Rights and Social Movements
by Neil StammersThis book champions social movements as one of the most influential agents that shape our conceptions of human rights.*BR**BR*It argues that human rights cannot be understood outside of the context of social movement struggles. It explains how much of the literature on human rights has systematically obscured this link, consequently distorting our understandings of human rights. *BR**BR*Neil Stammers shows how human rights can be understood. He suggests that what he calls the 'paradox of institutionalisation' can only be addressed through a recognition of the importance of human rights arising out of grassroots activism, and through processes of institutional democratisation.
This Little Kiddy Went to Market: The Corporate Capture of Childhood
by Sharon Beder Wendy Varney Richard GosdenThis book investigates the way that corporations are strategically shaping children to be hyper-consumers as well as the submissive employees and uncritical citizens of the future.*BR**BR*Sharon Beder shows how marketers and advertisers are targeting ever younger children in a relentless campaign, transforming children's play into a commercial opportunity and taking advantage of childish anxieties.*BR**BR*She presents an alarming picture of how a child's social development - through education, health care and nutrition - has become an ordered conveyor belt of consumerist conditioning. Focusing on education in particular, she also shows how 'difficult' children are taught from an early age that pharmaceuticals can be used to discipline them or to make them 'happy'.
Cultures of Fear: A Critical Reader (Anthropology, Culture and Society)
by Uli Linke Danielle Taana SmithThis collection of essays explores the formation and normalisation of fear in the context of war and terrorism.*BR**BR*Freedom from fear is a universal right and fundamental for human well-being. People often look to governments, humanitarian agencies, and other institutions to further this aim. However, this book shows that these organisations often use the same logic of fear to monitor, control, and contain human beings in zones of violence. *BR**BR*This is an excellent interdisciplinary reader for students of anthropology, sociology and politics. Contributors include Noam Chomsky, Slavoj Zizek, Jean Baudrillard, Catharine MacKinnon, Neil Smith, Cynthia Enloe, David L. Altheide, Cynthia Cockburn and Carolyn Nordstrum.
Capitalism and the Dialectic: The Uno-Sekine Approach to Marxian Political Economy
by John R. BellFrom the 1960s to the 1990s the ground-breaking Japanese economists Kozo Uno and Thomas Sekine developed a masterful reconfiguration of Marxist economics. The most well-known aspect of which is the levels of analysis approach to the study of capitalism. *BR**BR*Written in Japanese, the Uno-Sekine approach to Marx's work is little understood in West. John Bell seeks to correct this, explaining how problematic elements of Marxian Political Economy such as the law of value and the law of relative surplus population can be solved by using a more rigorous dialectical analysis.*BR**BR*Bell's clear and accessible synthesis provides economists with the tools to interrogate capitalism in a more powerful way than ever before.
Cyprus: The Post-Imperial Constitution
by Vassilis K. Fouskas Alex O. TackieThis book provides a non-partisan approach to Cyprus that goes beyond the perceptions of ruling elites on the island and their NATO masters, which are historically responsible for the division of Cyprus today.*BR**BR*Fouskas and Tackie argue that the rise to power of two left-wing parties on both sides of the Green Line means it is time to launch a serious political dialogue to initiate a post-imperial constitutional process. This is a feasible undertaking, not least because Cyprus is a member of the EU, but not a member of NATO. *BR**BR*Short and accessible, this book aims to revive a debate in the spirit of Dervis Ali Kavatzoglou and Constantine Misiaoulis, popular symbols of a united, democratic and independent Cyprus.
Inequality and the Global Economic Crisis
by Douglas DowdInequalities of income, wealth and of power have been with us for millennia. This book is a critique of the counter-productivity of growing economic inequality from the 1980s to today. Douglas Dowd argues against capitalist expansion, exploitation and oligarchic rule.*BR**BR*The book states that the globalisation and growth of the financial sector will impact painfully upon hundreds of millions of people. *BR**BR*Presenting both a history of the current crisis and well as an overview of its politics, Inequality and the Global Economic Crisis look at militarism, consumerism, the media, education, housing and the homeless, nutrition and hunger, family life for a full picture of the destruction of global financialisation.
The Crimes of Empire: Rogue Superpower and World Domination
by Carl BoggsImperial nations advance their own interests by exploiting other societies. To those on the receiving end this is obvious, while inside the empire, a powerful ideological system of justification tends to hide all but the worst excess.*BR**BR*Carl Boggs argues that that the US began life two centuries ago as a nascent colonialist regime plundering and conquering the Native Tribes. The Indian wars were followed by perpetual militarism and warfare fuelled by a deep sense of national exceptionalism. The Crimes Of Empire examines several trends in this process, and illustrates the new depths plumbed since 9/11.*BR**BR*Violation of international agreements, treaties and laws, the use of prohibited weapons, support for death squads and torture are just some of the practices that America uses to prove technical superiority and media control, thus prolonging the American nightmare.
Broken Promises, Broken Dreams: Stories of Jewish and Palestinian Trauma and Resilience
by Alice RothchildThe tragedies of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians are never far from the pages of the mainstream press. Yet it is rare to hear about the reality of life on the ground -- and it is rarer still when these voices belong to women. *BR**BR*This book records the journey of a Jewish American physician travelling and working within Israel and the Occupied Territories. Alice Rothchild grew up in a family grounded by the traumas of the Holocaust and passionately devoted to Israel. This book recounts her experiences as she grapples with the reality of life in Israel and the hardships of Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza. *BR**BR*The new edition includes a new preface, two chapters on Israeli dissent and a chapter which explores the impact of a Palestinian home demolition and the work of Israeli soldiers and Palestinian fighters who have joined together to form Combatants for Peace.*BR**BR*Ultimately, the book raises troubling questions regarding US policy and the mainstream Jewish community's insistence on giving unquestioning support to all Israeli policy.
Theories of Social Capital: Researchers Behaving Badly (IIPPE)
by Ben FineTracing the evolution of social capital since his highly acclaimed contribution of 2001 (Social Capital Versus Social Theory), Ben Fine consolidates his position as the world's leading critic of the concept. *BR**BR*Fine forcibly demonstrates how social capital has expanded across the social sciences only by degrading the different disciplines and topics that it touches: a McDonaldisation of social theory. The rise and fall of social capital at the World Bank is critically explained as is social capital's growing presence in disciplines, such as management studies, and its relative absence in others, such as social history.*BR**BR*Writing with a sharp critical edge, Fine not only deconstructs the roller-coaster presence of social capital across the social sciences but also draws out lessons on how (and how not) to do research.
Georgia: Pawn in the New Great Game
by Per GahrtonThe 2008 Ossetia War underlined the fact that Georgia is caught in a political struggle between East and West. Per Gahrton analyses American and Russian policy towards the country and provides a firsthand account of the Rose Revolution of 2003, its origin and aftermath.*BR**BR*The book traces the increasing US involvement in Georgia and the Russian reaction of anger, sanctions and, eventually, invasion. Gahrton's analysis is based on interviews with key politicians and his experience as the rapporteur of the European Parliament on South Caucasus. At centre stage is the growing opposition against authoritarian aspects of President Mikheil Saakashvili's regime and the mysterious death of Prime Minister Zhvania in 2005. The book also asks if the Rose Revolution was a conspiracy or a genuine popular uprising. *BR**BR*This truly authoritative account of Georgia is a must for students studying international relations in the aftermath of The Cold War.
Erasing Iraq: The Human Costs of Carnage
by Michael Otterman Richard Hil Paul WilsonFor nearly two decades, the US and its allies have prosecuted war and aggression in Iraq. Erasing Iraq shows in unparalleled detail the devastating human cost of the war in Iraq. *BR**BR*Western governments and the mainstream media continue to ignore or play down the human costs of the war on Iraqi citizens This has allowed them to present their role as the benign guardians of Iraqi interests. The authors deconstruct this narrative by presenting a portrait of the total carnage in Iraq today. From Iraqi refugees in Syria, Jordan and the West, to civilians left behind, and other witnesses, this the story of the war told by those who experienced it firsthand.
From Pacification to Peacebuilding: A Call to Global Transformation
by Diana FrancisDoes conflict transformation work? Or is the total rejection of global militarism the only route to peace? *BR**BR*Reviewing developments in the field of conflict transformation, Diana Francis acknowledges the work help it has afforded those engulfed in violent conflict to respond constructively. However, she argues that the dominant culture of power, resting on coercion and violence, must be displaced by the principles of interdependence, kindness and nonviolent solidarity. This is the only way that pacification - efforts to dominate and control - will be replaced by genuine peacebuilding. *BR**BR*Calling upon peacemakers worldwide to embrace and develop the practice of nonviolent power, she rejects the culture and institutions of war and working with movements around the world for global demilitarisation and 'positive peace'.
Losing Control: Global Security in the 21st Century
by Paul RogersWhen Losing Control was first published a decade ago it was years ahead of its time. Its argument was simple - the real causes of global insecurity were the widening socio-economic divide, global marginalisation and environmental limitations, especially climate change and conflict over energy resources. *BR**BR*Paul Rogers, one of the most original thinkers on international security, pointed to a world in which irregular warfare from the margins would prevent powerful states from maintaining their position. He even predicted accurately how the United States would respond to a catastrophic attack.*BR**BR*The new edition brings the whole analysis right up to date, arguing persuasively that the world's elite cannot maintain control and that a far more emancipatory and sustainable approach to global security has to be developed.
Partitioning Palestine: Legal Fundamentalism in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
by John StrawsonLaw lies at the roots of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Jews sought a national home by 'Public Law' while Palestinians reject the project as illegal. Britain, the League of Nations and the United Nations all mobilised international law to justify their interventions. After the 1967 war, Israel organised an occupation with excessive legalism that most of the world viewed, in fact, as illegal. *BR**BR*Partitioning Palestine focuses on three key moments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict: the League of Nations Mandate, the United Nations partition plan and the Oslo agreements. None of these documents are neutral but, rather, encode a variety of meanings. The book traces the way in which these legal narratives have both shaped national identity and sharpened the conflict. *BR**BR*In this pioneering text, John Strawson argues that a committed attachment to the belief in legal justice has hampered the search for a settlement. Law, far from offering conflict resolution, has reinforced the trenches from which Palestinians and Israelis confront one another.
The Foreign Encounter in Myth and Religion: Modes of Foreign Relations and Political Economy, Volume II
by Kees van der PijlHow do we think about international relations? There is no question that society is based upon its cultural foundations, yet this mode of understanding the world is seemingly absent from IR.*BR**BR*The second volume of Modes of Foreign Relations and Political Economy, a three-volume project changing the way we think about international relations, traces the key characteristics of 'foreign encounters' over time. It shows that myth, religion and ethical philosophies have always informed the way that societies have interacted with outsiders, from tribal relations to the imperial frontiers. Acceptance of this points us towards the future state of international relations. *BR**BR*A truly masterful work, The Foreign Encounter In Myth And Religion, is a must for upper-undergraduates and academics at the cutting edge of international relations theory.
The Future of Money: From Financial Crisis to Public Resource
by Mary MellorAs the recent financial crisis has revealed, the state is central to the stability of the money system, while the chaotic privately-owned banks reap the benefits without shouldering the risks. This book argues that money is a public resource that has been hijacked by capitalism.*BR**BR*Mary Mellor explores the history of money and modern banking, showing how finance capital has captured bank-created money to enhance speculative ‘leveraged’ profits as well as destroying collective approaches to economic life. Meanwhile, most individuals, and the public economy, have been mired in debt. To correct this obvious injustice, Mellor proposes a public and democratic future for money. Ways are put forward for structuring the money and banking system to provision societies on an equitable, ecologically sustainable 'sufficiency' basis.*BR**BR*This fascinating study of money should be read by all economics students looking for an original analysis of the economy during the current crisis.
Arguments Against G8
by Gill Hubbard David MillerWhat is the G8? Every year world leaders convene for their annual summit, accompanied by thousands of protestors and anti-globalization activists. In Genoa in 2001, street battles between police and demonstrators made world headlines, as one protestor was shot.*BR**BR*This book is a one-stop guide for anyone who wants to know more about the G8, what it is, and why it's a problem. Leading writers and activists including Noam Chomsky, George Monbiot, Susan George, Mark Curtis and Caroline Lucas explain in brief, succinct chapters, what is wrong with the G8 neo-liberal agenda and propose alternatives. *BR**BR*Chapters cover G8 attitudes to the key issues: war, corporate power, climate change, immigration, trade, debt, food. Ideal for anyone who is troubled by the current direction set by our world leaders, this book is also a great tool for activists.
An Alliance Against Babylon: The U.S., Israel, and Iraq
by John K. CooleyThe ruins of ancient Babylon still stand in Iraq. They are a reminder that today's conflict is only one of many that have engulfed the country, and the wider Middle East, over the centuries.*BR**BR*John Cooley, a former correspondent for ABC News and the Christian Science Monitor, argues that America's new invasion and occupation of Iraq marks a turning point in the West's relationship with the Arab world, and alters the balance of power within the Middle East. He argues that the crucial factor in this new development is the relationship between Israel and the United States. Examining today's problems from this unique perspective, Cooley covers a broad sweep of history, from biblical Babylonian times until now. He shows how US and Israeli interests in the Middle East were contradictory at first. He explains how and why the US-Israel alliance gradually evolved.*BR**BR*Drawing from unpublished sources, as well as from John Cooley's personal encounters with principal players such as David ben-Gurion, the Shah of Iran, Anwar al-Sadat, King Hussein of Jordan and Saddam Hussein himself, this book gives a uniquely valuable perspective on the complex history of Iraq and why it continues to be at the heart of world affairs.