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"All the greats--Buckley, Hayek, Kirk, Friedman, Reagan--are represented in the fine anthology edited by Gregory L. Schneider, and the gloves occasionally come off"
--"National Review"

"An ambitious book, chock-full of the learned and provocative writing that characterized the opposition party all throughout the strife-torn 20th century. It is brutally honest about the movement's current predicament."
--"The American Conservative"

"Liberals and conservatives alike should have no trouble endorsing this anthology from 70 years of the conservative movement in the United States."--"Library Journal"

While there have long been libertarians, agrarians, individualists, collectivists, nationalists, and others who fit the contemporary label of "conservative," no cohesive conservative movement existed prior to World War II. How, then, did conservatism develop into such a powerful American political force?

Tracing the history of conservatism from the concerns and ideas of the Old Right, through the Cold War, the "Gingrich revolution," and into the present, Conservatism in America Since 1930 gathers a wide range of conservative writings and documents showcasing the development and protean character of the modern conservative intellectual and political movement.

The book includes essays from Russell Kirk, Milton Friedman, F.A. Hayek, William F. Buckley, Jr., Ronald Reagan, and Pat Buchanan, among others, and highlights key debates between the movement's factions. Along with essays by these canonical conservative figures, the volume also contains excerpts from sources less frequently cited, such as the Twelve Southerners andSeward Collins, as well as documents from conservative organizations and journals. The primary documents are supplemented by introductions which set the historical context and offer illuminating commentary on how conservatism shifted identity over the course of modern American history.

China's rise and stepped-up involvement in Southeast Asia have prompted a blend of anticipation and unease among its smaller neighbors. The stunning growth of China has yanked up the region's economies, but its militarization of the South China Sea and dam building on the Mekong River has nations wary about Beijing's outsized ambitions. Southeast Asians long felt relatively secure, relying on the United States as a security hedge, but that confidence began to slip after the Trump administration launched a trade war with China and questioned the usefulness of traditional alliances. This compelling book provides a snapshot of ten countries in Southeast Asia by exploring their diverse experiences with China and how this impacts their perceptions of Beijing's actions and its long-term political, economic, military, and "soft power" goals in the region.

This edited volume offers a multidisciplinary perspective on innovation challenges and innovative practices in the context of developing and transition countries. The contributions mostly embrace a national innovation system approach in an attempt to understand innovation processes and their implications at both macro and micro levels. The chapters in this book, taken as a whole, offer insights on a range of issues grouped around the following questions: What are the challenges for innovation at the macro (system) and micro (firm) level according to the experiences of developing and transition countries? What is the role of public policies in the transformation of national innovation systems? What innovation practices allow to successfully overcome challenges to innovation? What is the role of collaboration and learning in fostering innovation? A variety of methods are presented including historical analysis, participatory action research, case studies, document analysis and survey-based quantitative research as well as triangulation to study innovation and adaptation strategies in developing and transition countries. It also provides 10 case studies selected from developing and transition countries, to offer a detailed and comprehensive perspective on innovation and innovation practices at macro and micro levels. Students and researchers interested in innovation and innovation systems around the world will find this volume an invaluable tool and reference. Contributors include: G. Abuduxike, C.G. Acevedo Pena, S.M. Aljunid, W.M.H. Cespedes Quiroga, L. Csonka, A. Faggian, O.O. Jegede, M. Lukacs de Pereny Martens, A. Morero Hernan, T. Poghosyan, R. Rasiah, J. Schmutzler, M. Suarez, C. Tomassini Urti, A. Tsvetkova, N. Yacoub, X.-S. Yap, J.E. Zambrana Montan

The policy framework advocated by Minford et al. . . . is grounded in economic theory and an incisive empirical analysis of the costs of UK's membership of the EU. Their thesis that the EU is a political union practising economic protectionism in the guise of gradualism towards free trade makes sense. . . . Minford and his associates' analysis suggests that the EU's policy framework of free trade for members but restrictions on trade of non-members with the EU countries is a second best policy adopted to promote political rather than economic objectives.' - V.N. Balasubramanyam, Lancaster University, UK'The EU got the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2012, but such an award is not forthcoming for economics. In fact, the EU faces a stern public discontent throughout Europe. For years EU leaders have been unable to agree on almost anything. The eurozone's toxic monetary embrace is a colossal failure that has provoked misery in most of the participating countries and, worst of all, suffocated the hopes of prosperity for many years to come. The EU is no longer a venture that inspires people to run on barricades to defend it. Should Britain be a part of the crumbling EU project? This book provides a timely and documented answer. It is highly recommended reading.' - Miroslav N. Jovanovi , University of Geneva, Switzerland 'Much too much of the debate about the UK's relationship with the European Union relies upon general declarations unsupported by facts and assertions and claims not substantiated by evidence. This is why we need so badly the careful quantitative analysis provided by Patrick Minford and his colleagues. The UK electorate will have a momentous decision to take when the EU referendum takes place. History and emotions will be important, but getting the facts straight is even more vital.' - John Mills, Founder and Chairman of JML and Co-Chairman of Business for Britain 'Patrick Minford and his team have performed a hugely valuable service by quantifying the costs of Britain's EU membership. In particular, they show that Britain pays too much for too high a proportion of its imports. The EU's protectionism in its trade with the rest of the world costs Britain a significant slice of its national output. Their demonstration of this vital point is thought-provoking and sophisticated, and greatly strengthens the case for the UK to leave the EU.' - Tim Congdon, CBE, International Monetary Research Ltd Placed in the context of the upcoming referendum, this second edition brings up to date a thorough review of all economic aspects of the UK's membership of the EU. It notes the intention of the EU to move to 'ever closer union' and the nature of the regulatory and general economic philosophy of its dominant members, whose position is enforced by qualified majority voting. The book highlights the UK s dilemma that, while extending free markets to its local region is attractive, this European philosophy and closer union are substantially at odds with the UK's traditions of free markets and freedom under the common law. This comprehensive examination of the economic costs and benefits of membership uses state-of-the-art modeling methods and includes estimates of its net costs as a percentage of GDP. The book explains how the decision to leave would follow from a judgement on the political economy of the EU as compared with that of the UK. It details the misconceptions involved in much of the debate about trade with the EU, and argues that the key issue is not access to markets but rather the prices at which trade takes place. Covered in careful detail is the economics of the UK's trade with the EU in the key sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, and services.

An authoritative yet accessible introduction to the history, politics, and society of one of Latin America's most enigmatic and culturally diverse countries. Mexico: A Global Studies Handbook is an ideal introduction to the United States' southern neighbor for students, travelers, businesspeople, or other interested readers. It debunks a variety of myths and misconceptions that have evolved over time, clarifying the realities of both historic and contemporary Mexico. Mexico offers an authoritative yet engaging tour of Mexican history and geography, as well its current economic and business climate, governmental structure, popular culture, and society. It also provides an alphabetically organized "mini-encyclopedia" for quick access to information on notable Mexican people, places, and events. Together, these sections provide everything readers need to understand Mexico's pre-Colombian origins, colonial legacies of dependence and Westernization, and its continuing efforts to craft a national identity. Maps of both historic Mexico and its modern political divisions plus images of monuments, buildings, natural attractions, and the variety of cultures within the country A detailed chronology of Mexico from pre-Colombian times through the years of colonialism and independence to the present

A concise yet thorough overview of environmental issues, problems, and controversies facing Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica. The paradisiacal islands of the South Pacific. The unworldly landscapes and wildlife of Australia. The frozen expanses of Antarctica. This new title in ABC-CLIO's World Environment Series encompasses some of the most benign-and hellish-places on Earth. How is humanity threatening-and preserving-these diverse and far-flung environments? They are vast, distant, and scarcely populated. Yet the environments of Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica are facing the same threats confronting the rest of the planet, as well as some unique ones of their own. How have human-introduced species impacted Australia's natural order? What new global conventions are helping close Antarctica's ozone hole? And why is global warming threatening the South Pacific's life-teeming coral reefs? The region's governments are grappling with the spectre of global warming, which, if not meaningfullly addressed by industrialized nations half a world away, could produce rising sea levels capable of engulfing several states of Oceania and partially submerging portions of many other inhabited i

Race, religion, language, culture, and national character are full of contradictions. Brazil, the largest country in South America, embodies so much paradox that it defies neat description. This book will help students and general readers dispel stereotypes of Brazil and begin to understand what country's "bigness" means in terms of its land, people, history, society, and cultural expressions. This is the only authoritative yet accessible volume on Brazil that surveys a wide range of important topics, from geography, to social customs, art, architecture, and more. Highlights include discussions of the fluid definitions of race, rituals of candomble, the importance of extended family networks, beach culture, and soccer madness. A chronology and glossary supplement the text.

The eight-volume set systematically studies the phonetic and lexical system and evolution of the Chinese language in three phases. The history of the Chinese language is generally split into three phases: 1) Old Chinese, the form of the Chinese language spoken between the 18th century BC and the 3rd century AD, 2) Middle Chinese, between the 4th century AD to around the 12th century AD, and 3) Modern Chinese, since the 13th century, comprised of an 'early modern' phase before the early 20th century and the contemporary period since. The first three volumes examine the phonetical systems of the language in each period and distinct changes across time, covering the initials system, finals system and tone system. The subsequent 5 volumes focus on lexical development throughout the different phases. The author also analyses basic issues of Chinese language study, the standardization of a modern common language and the foreign influence on the lexicon, helping us to better understand the history and development of the Chinese language. Illustrated with abundant examples, this comprehensive groundwork on Chinese phonetical history will be a must read for scholars and students studying Chinese language, linguistics and especially Chinese phonetics and lexicon.

This fascinating work provides an enlightening guided tour of the island of Cuba's historical, political, economic, and sociocultural development from the pre-Columbian period to the present. Cuba: A Global Studies Handbook offers a revealing look at a nation that, in its ongoing pursuit of freedom, has been a colonial pawn, a neocolonial paradise for corrupt politicians and dictators, an alluring vacation destination, a defiant Communist holdout and embarrassing thorn in the side of the powerful United States. Drawing heavily on his own research and experiences on the island, the author follows Cuba's political, economic, and sociocultural development from the pre-Columbian period to the present-with an emphasis on the revolutionary period. The book's reference section includes alphabetically organized entries on important people, places, and historical events, as well as shorter sections on Cuban Spanish, national traditions and holidays, cuisines, and important organizations. Also featured is a chart tracing the development of Cuban popular music and a listener's guide to some of the best available recordings. A useful reference section provides a descriptive alphabetical listing of specific information on important people, places, and historical events, as well as sections on Cuban Spanish, etiquette, national habits and traditions, cuisine, holidays, and important organizations Includes a detailed chronology of Cuban history from pre-Columbian times to the present, with emphasis on the revolutionary triumph of the late 1950s and early 1960s, Castro's enduring Communist regime, and the economic crisis of the "special period" that began in Cuba in 1990

This volume brings together an interdisciplinary group of scholars from the United States, the Middle East, and North Africa, to discuss and critically analyze the intersection of gender and human rights laws as applied to individuals of Arab descent. It seeks to raise consciousness at the intersection of gender, identity, and human rights as it relates to Arabs at home and throughout the diaspora. The context of revolution and the destabilizing impact of armed conflicts in the region are used to critique and examine the utility of human rights law to address contemporary human rights issues through extralegal strategies. To this end, the volume seeks to inform, educate, persuade, and facilitate newer or less-heard perspectives related to gender and masculinities theories. It provides readers with new ways of understanding gender and human rights and proposes forward-looking solutions to implementing human rights norms. The goal of this book is to use the context of Arabs at home and throughout the diaspora to critique and examine the utility of human rights norms and laws to diminish human suffering with the goal of transforming the structural, social, and cultural conditions that impede access to human rights. This book will be of interest to a diverse audience of scholars, students, public policy researchers, lawyers and the educated public interested in the fields of human rights law, international studies, gender politics, migration and diaspora, and Middle East and North African politics.

'Being mobile has become an ubiquitous modus operandi as the highly educated seek to advance, and take advantage of their human capital. Corcoran and Faggian's edited volume helps us to understand the causes and consequences of university graduates' choices to migrate or stay put. The selected contributions - situated in ten OECD countries - cover a wide spectrum of issues, from overeducation and wages to life-course linkages and impacts of the Great Recession. It is an insightful and timely account of the intellectual elite's sorting and redistribution in developed countries.' - Brigitte Waldorf, Purdue University, US 'Graduates are key resources to economic development. ''Enlighted'' policy makers around the world spend effort and resources to attract and retain them. However, our understanding of the drivers and impacts of graduate mobility remains limited. This book offers invaluable insights into this debate by combining cutting-edge academic knowledge with a truly global coverage of examples and case studies.' - Riccardo Crescenzi, London School of Economics, UK This book aims to integrate and augment current state-of-the-art knowledge on graduate migration and its role in local economic development. Offering an international perspective, it is the first focused book of its kind on graduate migration, a recognised and critical component of the global pool of labour. Written by the key scholars working in the field, it draws together an international series of case studies. Each chapter describes empirically founded approaches to examining the role and characteristics of graduate migration in differing situational contexts, highlighting issues concerning government policy, data and methods. Crucially, it assesses the role highly educated individuals play in regional economic development and the determinants of graduate mobility, revealing the characteristics that attract and retain graduates. This unique book is an essential volume for scholars and researchers of geography, regional studies, labour and migration seeking an in-depth, international understanding of human-capital attraction and retention. Contributors include: R. Comunian, J. Corcoran, C. Detang-Dessendre, A. Faggian, R.S. Franklin, M. Haapanen, S. Iammarino, S. Jewell, H. Karhunen, N. Maldonado, E. Marinelli, K.B. Newbold, V. Piguet, R. Ramos, F. Rowe, V. Royuela, V.A. Venhorst, A. Zhi Rou Tang

This work illustrates China's values and how they are practiced. After introducing readers to the theories, systematical structure, historical status, and influence of traditional Chinese values, it points out major developmental trends in connection with modernization. Further, it explores the significance of the contemporary reconstruction of Chinese values and argues that these values can be divided into three layers: values-based goals of national development, Chinese values concepts, and norms of values in a civil society. On this basis, it subsequently interprets the core socialist values "Prosperity, Democracy, Civility and Harmony," the value concepts "Freedom, Equality, Justice and Rule of Law" and values-based norms "Patriotism, Dedication, Integrity and Friendship."

No previous volume has collected as interesting and broad a collection of essays on Canadian discourse and culture. This volume of representative case studies reflects the Canadian experience in terms of discourse, society, and public culture, linking its discussions to larger political and social issues and theories. Topics include:

Constitutional controversies

Cultural sovereignty

Feminist voices

Globalization

Internet issues

Marginalized communities

Nationalism

Nativity

Multidisciplinary perspectives from a mix of established and emerging Canadian studies scholars converge in a highly readable, engaging, and unique book that offers a distinctive portrait of a nation not nearly as well understood as its proximity to the United States might suggest.

A concise yet thorough overview of the environmental issues, problems, and controversies facing the continent of Africa and the Middle East. Examining both the rich biological heritage of the world's second largest continent and the very serious human threats to it, Africa and the Middle East explores the impact global pollution and a burgeoning population are having on landscape and wildlife alike. How is global warming responsible for the rapidly expanding Sahara Desert? Can local populations be recruited to preserve threatened species? Over 80 percent of Madagascar's species are endemic, the highest percentage of any major ecological region in the world, such as the highly endangered aye-aye which resembles a cross between a monkey, a bat, and a woodpecker, and the giraffe-necked weevil, a red rainforest insect with a neck like a fire truck rescue ladder. Readers will learn all about these fascinating species and much more.

'The challenges of poverty and social exclusion cannot be fully resolved through conventional public sector policies and market-led innovation. The case studies in this Handbook capture some of the key success factors of socially innovative action in different socio-economic contexts. This Handbook will inspire readers as it highlights the creativity and commitment of diverse enterprises and movements working for social innovation.' - Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka, Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements, United Republic of Tanzania, and retired UN Under Secretary General, immediate former Executive Director of UN-HABITAT 'Social innovation may not be a new idea but it is clearly an idea whose time has come, not least because the traditional models of innovation - narrowly framed technical models - have run their course and no longer resonate in a world of societal challenges. This Handbook has two great merits - it brings conceptual rigour to the debate and it provides compelling narratives of social innovation in practice.' - Kevin Morgan, Cardiff University, UK This enriching Handbook covers many aspects of the scientific and socio-political debates on social innovation today. The contributors provide an overview of theoretical perspectives, methodologies and instructive experiences from all continents, as well as implications for collective action and policy. They argue strongly for social innovation as a key to human development. The Handbook defines social innovation as innovation in social relations within both micro and macro spheres, with the purpose of satisfying unmet or new human needs across different layers of society. It connects social innovation to empowerment dynamics, thus giving a political character to social movements and bottom-up governance initiatives. Together these should lay the foundations for a fairer, more democratic society for all. This interdisciplinary work, written by scholars collaborating to develop a joint methodological perspective toward social innovation agency and processes, will be invaluable for students and researchers in social science and humanities. It will also appeal to policy makers, policy analysts, lobbyists and activists seeking to give inspiration and leadership from a social innovation perspective. Contributors: A. Abreu, J. Andersen, I. Andre, L. Arthur, A. Ashta, A. Bilfeldt, I. Calzada, S. Cameron, A. Carmo, K. Dayson, P. Debruyne, J. Defourny, K. Delica, A. Dubeux, S. Eizaguirre Anglada, V. Espinoza, A.C. Fernandes, J.-M. Fontan, L. Fraisse, M.S. Frandsen, M. Garcia Cabeza, R. Gera, J.K. Gibson-Graham, S. Habersack, A. Hamdouch, D. Harrisson, S. Hettihewa, J. Hillier, L. Hulgard, B. Jessop, J.-L. Klein, H. Konstantatos, N.V. Krishna, N. Kunnen, B. Levesque, D. MacCallum, F. Martinelli, A. Mehmood, A. Membretti, E. Midheme, F. Moulaert, A. Novy, M. Nyssens, S. Oosterlynck, C. Parra, T. Pilati, M. Pradel Miquel, G. Roelvink, B. Schaller, P.K. Shajahan, D. Siatitsa, P. Singer, C. Tornaghi, D.-G. Tremblay, D. Vaiou, P. Van den Broeck, B. Van Dyck, S. Vicari Haddock, T. Vitale, C. Wright, S. Young

Reexamining Economic and Political Reforms in Russia, 1985-2000: Generations, Ideas, and Changes analyzes the impact of generational changes and ideational changes on major political and economic reforms conducted in Russia during the late twentieth century. This book examines how the policy agenda was shaped by the ideas of the generations' representatives for the sixtiers and seventiers. Representatives of the generation of sixtiers conducted reforms from 1985 to 1991 and invested major efforts in political liberalization but did not pay enough attention to economic reforms. On the other hand, the reformers from the generation of seventiers, who were in charge of policy making from 1991 to 1998, were genuinely oriented toward market building but rather insensitive to the democratization of the political regime. This book explores how these differences in ideational agendas produced inconsistent and controversial outcomes from both stages of reforms. As a consequence, Russia only partially implemented the idea of market economic reforms, while the process of political reforms resulted in the rise of new authoritarianism.

This fully updated book offers the first systematic analysis of Putin's three wars, placing the Second Chechen War, the war with Georgia of 2008, and the war with Ukraine of 2014-2015 in their broader historical context. Drawing on extensive original Russian sources, Marcel H. Van Herpen analyzes in detail how Putin's wars were prepared and conducted, and why they led to allegations of war crimes and genocide. He shows how the conflicts functioned to consolidate and legitimate Putin's regime and explores how they were connected to a fourth, hidden, "internal war" waged by the Kremlin against the opposition. The author convincingly argues that the Kremlin-relying on the secret services, the Orthodox Church, the Kremlin youth "Nashi," and the rehabilitated Cossacks-is preparing for an imperial revival, most recently in the form of a "Eurasian Union." An essential book for understanding the dynamics of Putin's regime, this study digs deep into the Kremlin's secret long-term strategies. Readable and clearly argued, it makes a compelling case that Putin's regime emulates an established Russian paradigm in which empire building and despotic rule are mutually reinforcing. As the first comprehensive exploration of the historical antecedents and political continuity of the Kremlin's contemporary policies, Van Herpen's work will make a valuable contribution to the literature on post-Soviet Russia, and his arguments will stimulate a fascinating and vigorous debate.

"Ninety-nine percent of Filipinos are waiting for a telephone and the other one percent for a dial tone." - Lee Kuan Yew, November 1992. A decade after the above quote, far reaching reforms in the telecommunications sector has dramatically changed the situation in both the Philippines and Malaysia. By looking at the institutions and actors that drove these changes, this book examines state capacity, market reform, and rent-seeking in the two countries. In doing so, the study challenges conventional depictions of the Malaysian and Philippine states. It contends that despite the weakness of the Philippine state, reform occurred through a coalition that out-manoeuvred vested interests. In Malaysia, although considered a strong state, patronage and rent-seeking played key roles in policy adoption and implementation. The study also demonstrates how the nature of groups supporting reform shapes policy implementation and its outcomes. Finally, while liberalisation removes monopoly rent, this book shows that it can also create other types of rents.

This edited collection provides a comprehensive overview of the major changes and transformations in Ukrainian society, from its independence in 1991, through to 2018. Based on solid empirical quantitative data generated by local institutions such as the monitoring survey Ukrainian Society, produced by the Institute of Sociology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IS NASU), the contributions explore transitions in values, occupational structure, education, inequality, religiosity, media, and identity, as well as the impact of the "Revolution of Dignity" (Euromaidan) and the Donbas conflict. Covering more than 25 years of Ukrainian history and complemented by qualitative research carried out by authors, Ukraine in Transformation will be invaluable to upper level students and researchers of sociology, political science, international relations and cultural studies, with a particular interest in post-Soviet Eastern Europe.

A concise yet thorough overview of the environmental issues, problems, and controversies facing Latin America and the Caribbean-from the tip of South America to the Windward Islands. Snowy Andean peaks. Steaming Brazilian rainforest. Lush tropical islands. Few regions on Earth are as diverse or spectacular as Latin America and the Caribbean. And few are as threatened by expanding populations, industrial pollutants, and unsustainable farming methods. Latin America and the Caribbean, a new title in the World Environments series, explores the environmental problems facing our hemispheric neighbors. Home to the longest-mountain range, largest river, and greatest rainforest on Earth, no region on Earth boasts greater geographic extremes, faces greater environmental dangers, and enjoys more economic potential from its biodiversity than Latin America and the Caribbean. What are the political and economic factors affecting the Amazon's rapidly disappearing rainforest? What is being done to harvest life-saving drugs from the plants of the Orinoco? And what lies behind the mysterious disappearance of Central America's frogs? With essays, chronologies, biographies, and directory of organizati

Since coming to power in 2007, the Sandinista Front of National Liberation (FSLN) has proclaimed itself the "government of the poor" and the "government of peace and reconciliation." Accordingly, the regime has endeavoured to control and manipulate the symbols, social images, important spaces, and situations of popular struggles for social justice in the country. Under the watch of Daniel Ortega's administration, Nicaragua has become a country where an extraordinary effort is put into social spectacles, propaganda, and theatricality to create the impression of social and economic transformation. While the current regime orchestrates impressive social performances in support of its power, there are other social spectacles marking Nicaragua's urban landscape that tell a different story. performances in support of its power, there are other social spectacles marking Nicaragua's urban landscape that tell a different story. These mine the gap between experiences and promises in today's Nicaragua. The exhibit of suffering bodies in public national spaces as political weapons by pesticide victims, as well as a transvestite circus spectacle in Managua redefine spaces and states of "invisibility" and "visibility" by articulating social positions through performance. The bodies of these Nicaraguans--refusing to be invisible--show Nicaragua's ongoing social drama of a predominant social power relation of inclusion and exclusion within a narrative intersected by political power, marginality and theatricality. As spectacularized bodies, they become avenues for showing processes of structural violence. Although there has been some excellent academic research focusing on performance or/and theatre in Nicaragua, such scholarship seldom attends to the very important connections between daily staged public social acts and local, national/global politics that deal directly and indirectly with marginalized social/cultural landscapes in this country. This book fills the gap by examining the connections between Nicaragua's marginalized landscapes and bodies, between social/political visibility and invisibility, and the relationship between social abandonment and social encompassment in the nation. This is an important book for performance studies, social cultural anthropology, theatre studies and Latin American studies. This book is in the Cambria Contemporary Global Performing Arts Series (general editor: John Clum, Duke University) and includes rare images.

Brazil is one of the most important but puzzling countries in the world. A nation of 200 million people, it has vast natural resource reserves, rich cultural traditions, a middle class undergoing explosive growth, and social welfare policies that are models for much of the world ('la bolsa familia,' which provides a guaranteed income to poor families). And, after decades of authoritarian rule, it is a stable democracy. Yet it is beset by problems that no other advanced economy suffers from: staggeringly high crime rates, sky-high inequality levels, and endemic political corruption. Emblematic of these two sides of Brazil is the selection of Rio as site of both the next Summer Olympics and the next World Cup. While the choice of Rio for these events points to Brazil's expanding presence on the world stage, so far the construction and planning for the events have been disastrous, threatening to deeply embarrass the nation. In Brazil: What Everyone Needs to Know, Riordan Roett, an eminent scholar of Brazil and Latin America, will provide a rich overview of Brazil, covering Brazilian society, politics, culture, and the economy. The book begins with a series of chapters on Brazilian history, beginning with the pre-colonial period and moving on, in succession, to the long era of Portuguese rule, the birth of independent Brazil, the emergence of modern Brazil in the 1930s, the era of the dictators, and - finally - to the democratic regime that came into being in the 1980s. Throughout the book, Roett will focus sharply on the fault lines - racial, economic, political, and cultural - that have plagued Brazil from its beginnings to this day. As the 2016 World Cup and Summer Olympics approach, interest in Brazil is sure to rise. Roett's synthesis will provide interested readers with an accessible, authoritative overview of this troubled yet fascinating giant.