The author had identified six 'Foundations Pillars' that are the essential and minimum requirements for all nations, to ensure development and improvements for all their citizenry. These are appropriate building blocks, regardless of the type of government the nation has, or the level of industrialisation and progress of their economy. This book focuses on India; it provides a dimension to the already ignited and meaningful discussion and debate for the 2014 Indian General Elections. It focuses on national and regional level issues to identify longer-term sustainable changes that are required for the essential improvements in India, for the benefit of all its citizens. Building on the principle of Ashoka's Pillar and stone inscribed edicts found across South Asia, this book aims to engage citizens to the key priorities and importance of the six 'Foundation Pillars' that form the basis of national transformational changes that are necessary to ensure improvements for all our citizens. Using the analogy of a house, a house we name India, these priorities form the six 'Foundation Pillars' on which the new 'House of India' can be built, they are the necessary components before citizens can the build a new Indian super-structure 'house' above ground. The weaker these 'Foundation Pillars', the greater the chance of unevenness and movement, and consequently, that the building blocks above ground will crack, damage and eventually either need rebuilding or redesigning. The Indian approach, in many aspects follows behaviour of 'build-neglect-rebuild', where they build something, not necessarily to last, but sufficient for a period, neglect it, and then have to rebuild it, as by that time it is beyond repair. This is where the author believes India is at the moment, and this case study focuses on what citizens could do to change this for their benefit.

Presidential Material: Messianic Memoirs of a Midlife Crisis doles out the intimate, indefatigable memoirs of Kermit D. Vincent, an idealistic, wacky, and unconventional bag-a-bones, in an invariably invaluable, wet-your-pants witty, cool, confident, and continually candid, manner. Kermit's reminiscences spew forth a narrative of no-holds-barred proportion; memories of growing up an only child in a paternally binge-drinking, maternally born-again, small town U.S.A. household; remembrances of growing up further, post adolescence, when confronted with the magically delicious "devilish enticements" of the big city; confessions of run-ins with the law, and know it all too well commentary on the prevalent prejudices, and pansy-ass practices, of U.S. jurisprudence, and correctional facilities; reflections on irrational, yet irresistible, interpersonal relationships, and fatally flawed fatherhood, through bittersweet revelations of unrequited love; contrite acknowledgments of a man stunned, now and again, by the error of his ways, at those times of cosmic comeuppance, when he would be rendered speechless, disgusted with himself, beset by guilt, wracked with remorse, and absolutely heartbroken, and how he persevered; recollections of his decade-long 'round-the-world odyssey as a street-publicly supported, modern-day wandering minstrel; offerings of hopes, and dreams, and far out there things he's seen; as well as explanations as to the motivations for his foray into presidential campaigning, and his plans for the future. Kermit's soul-searching chronicle of his eclectic, comically cantankerous life journey thus far, wrought with vivid, and at times outlandish, images, of his ubiquitousexperiences, has coalesced a text alarmingly amusing, dyed-in-the-wool diverse, interculturally introspective, in the end encouraging, and altogether enlightening. If you only read one book this lifetime, make it this one. You won't be sorry. It's a wild ride

This book aims to portray the staus quo of the World Heritage regime, to demonstrate its global influence and the world's response to its diverse power mechanisms, and to provide incentives for improvement.

Islam has been part of the increasingly complex American religious scene for well over a century, and was brought into more dramatic focus by the attacks of September 11, 2001. American Islam is practiced by a unique blend of immigrants and American-born Muslims. The immigrants have come from all corners of the world; they include rich and poor, well-educated and illiterate, those from upper and lower classes as well as economic and political refugees. The community's diversity has been enhanced by the conversion of African Americans, Latina/os, and others, making it the most heterogeneous Muslim community in the world.
With an up-to-the-minute analysis by thirty of the top scholars in the field, this handbook covers the growth of Islam in America from the earliest Muslims to set foot on American soil to the current wave of Islamophobia. Topics covered include the development of African American Islam; pre- and post-WWII immigrants; Sunni, Shi'ite, sectarian and Sufi movements in America; the role and status of women, marriage, and family; and the Americanization of Islamic culture.
Throughout these chapters the contributors explore the meaning of religious identity in the context of race, ethnicity, gender, and politics, both within the American Islamic community and in relation to international Islam.

How public affairs are run depends upon the degree of authority and control central government decides to relinquish to regional and local governments, and the extent to which it favors citizen involvement in the governing process. Public administrators do not operate in a vacuum. The context within which decision-making takes place greatly influences public administrators' approach to public issues. Consequently, what government decides to do and how it decides to carry it out affects the lives of people and how people perceive their role in the unfolding of public affairs.

While public administration varies from one country to another, public administrators inevitably face similar challenges. Running a government is not easy; it is complex, dynamic, contested, supported, subject to special interests, both demand- and supply-driven, just to name a few. In executing government functions, public administrators unsurprisingly contend with major decision-making questions. While obviously not exhaustive, this book addresses some key issues challenging practitioners. These challenges include questions on what gets included in the policy agenda, questions on policy response to problems through adoption and/or adaptation of exogenous policies, questions on the dangers of displacing policy goals, questions on transferring government activities to specialized agency, questions on decentralizing powers to regional and local governments, questions on combating corruption, and questions on managing public resources.

It is widely recognized that policy implementation is much more challenging than its design. Nonetheless, it is the manner in which public administrators address these challenges that creates opportunities for a more effective long-term policy prioritization, design and coordination, a more effective and inclusive public governance, and a more effective use of public resources for the delivery of needed public services.

Battered by our economy and disappointed by our government's role in that battering, we might be tempted to point the finger of blame at whoever's currently on the hot seat in front of us. But, as Phillip Cooper shows, we must widen our vision to take in the long history behind this dismal state of affairs. By doing so, it becomes clear that our present circumstances are in many ways the predictable outcome of a several-decades-long war against government regulation and its potential to protect and improve our lives. Cooper explains how the war against regulation has been conducted both from within and outside the government over the past thirty years. Chronicling its major battles from the Jimmy Carter years through the presidency of George W. Bush, he shows that it is a war - waged by Democrats and Republicans alike - that has been fought in high places but whose casualties include children, senior citizens, the infirm, and millions of families who have lost their homes and retirement savings. Cooper tells how Carter, praised for environmental regulation, worked to deregulate airlines, trucking, and banks; how Reagan undertook administrative rather than legislative measures against regulation - most of which weren't understood or even known by the public; and how George H.W. Bush continued the fight with the Quayle Commission. He describes Bill Clinton's commitment to fighting regulation despite having campaigned against his Republican predecessors' policies, then describes the behind-the-scenes maneuverings of George W. Bush as he sought to gut regulatory agencies entirely. He also devotes an entire chapter to parallel developments in the Supreme Court that substantially advanced the deregulation agenda during this era. Cooper contends that regulation, as one of a number of policy tools available to our leaders, is neither good nor bad in and of itself. Excessive deregulation - as opposed to regulatory reform, can present considerable peril, as current events clearly show. By considering key issues important to a more effective understanding and use of regulation in the future, ""The War against Regulation"" makes a vital case for restoring debate about regulation's rightful role within the republic and offers hope that a better understanding of that role can help lift us out of our current crisis.

The guilty verdicts handed out to three Arkansas teens in a horrific capital murder case were popular in their home state -- even upheld on appeal. But after two HBO documentaries called attention to the witch-hunt atmosphere at the trials, artists and other supporters raised concerns about the accompanying lack of evidence. Now, award-winning journalist Mara Leveritt provides the most comprehensive look yet into this endlessly shocking case.

For weeks in 1993, after the murders of three eight-year-old boys, police in West Memphis, Arkansas, seemed stymied. Then suddenly, detectives charged three teenagers -- alleged members of a satanic cult -- with the killings. Despite stunning investigative blunders, a confession riddled with errors, and an absence of physical evidence linking any of the accused to the crime, the teenagers were tried and convicted. Jurors sentenced Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley to life in prison. They sentenced Damien Echols, the accused ringleader, to death. Ten years later, all three remain in prison. Here, Leveritt unravels this seemingly medieval case and offers close-up views of its key participants, including one with an uncanny knack for evading the law....

An international bestseller and winner of the Stonewall Book Award, which inspired an award-winning film 'A heroic work of journalism on what must rank as one of the foremost catastrophes of modern history.' The New York Times 'Stunning ... An impressively researched and richly detailed narrative.' TIME Randy Shilts was the first openly gay journalist dealing with gay issues for the San Francisco Chronicle. In 1981, the year when AIDS came to international attention, he quickly devoted himself to reporting on the developing epidemic, one which devastated his community and eventually took his life as well. Shilts interviewed over 1,000 people, weaving together extensive research in the form of personal stories and political reportage. He was perfectly placed to understand the cultural, medical and political impact of the disease on the gay community and United States society as a whole. And the Band Played On exposes why AIDS was allowed to spread while the medical and political authorities ignored and even denied the threat. This book remains one of the great works of contemporary journalism and provides the foundation for continuing debates over governmental failure in handling lethal epidemics.

From legal expert and veteran author Bryan Garner comes a unique, intimate, and compelling memoir of his friendship with the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. For almost thirty years, Antonin Scalia was arguably the most influential and controversial Justice on the United States Supreme Court. His dynamic and witty writing devoted to the Constitution has influenced an entire generation of judges. Based on his reputation for using scathing language to criticize liberal court decisions, many people presumed Scalia to be gruff and irascible. But to those who knew him as "Nino," he was characterized by his warmth, charm, devotion, fierce intelligence, and loyalty. Bryan Garner's friendship with Justice Scalia was instigated by celebrated writer David Foster Wallace and strengthened over their shared love of language. Despite their differing viewpoints on everything from gun control to the use of contractions, their literary and personal relationship flourished. Justice Scalia even officiated at Garner's wedding. In this humorous, touching, and surprisingly action-packed memoir, Garner gives a firsthand insight into the mind, habits, and faith of one of the most famous and misunderstood judges in the world.

The genesis of the sub prime fiasco that resulted in this catastrophic financial melt down began with flawed credit reports. These were the bed rock upon which this house of cards was constructed. But the big question is how could these villains have escaped censure during the media blitz of the past year that blamed anyone remotely responsible? This gold standard of the FICO scores fails even base metal quality. How can these most malignant contributors be over looked and forgotten? Just how have they seemingly totally escaped criticism? Proof of inflation FICO scores is the elephant outside that is evidenced by the millions and millions of existing bad loans complete with documentation. Proof of misdeeds are legend. No conversation will be sufficient to offset these lies accepted as gospel. FICO is a four letter word explains it all.

This substantially revised seventh edition of a classic text includes a new chapter on globalization and regionalization and broader coverage of democratic politics, interests and movements; of the media; of social and cultural influences on political behavior and of public management. It has been systematically revised and updated throughout in the accessible down-to-earth style that has made it such a popular student choice for over thirty years.

Prior to the atrocities of September 11, 2001, the inhumane treatment of women by the Taliban received sporadic media and academic coverage. After the disintegration of the Taliban and al-Qaeda alliance, Afghanistan has been on the forefront of international headlines. The Taliban removal has also opened the venue for academic studies in Afghanistan. However, Afghanistan's urban and rural social structures and in particular the role of women remains an understudied topic. In Women from Afghanistan in Diaspora, Langary embarks on the task of describing the social structures of Afghanistan, precisely, the role of women within the Afghan social fabric. This study covers the various policies aimed at women, marriage, and emancipation from the ascendency of Amir Aman Allah Khan to the Kabul throne in 1919 until the establishment of President Hamid Karzai's representative government. This study sheds light on the lives of the Afghan women who have migrated to the United States through means of marriage. The fieldwork was conducted in various cities across California. These women share their marriage experiences, life in the United States, and resiliency of overcoming challenges. This qualitative research is now integrated with the broader phenomena of "arranged marriages," "consanguineous marriages," "mail-order bride," and "patriarchal family structures."

As U.S. cities compete for economic resources, many city leaders adopt business-friendly policies, which boost opportunities for big businesses and institutions in their area. This progrowth strategy proposes to generate jobs for residents and higher tax revenues for local government. As a result, according to the logic of progrowth, economic benefits will trickle down to improve the living conditions in working-class and impoverished neighborhoods.

In spite of this strategy, poverty rates among urban Latinos and Blacks is staggering, even in cities that have pursued neoliberal policies. These progrowth strategies seem to have had little or no impact on resolving problems like poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and the alienation of youth from communities of color. Community development has been and continues to be a response to these kinds of problems. But local political struggles can determine the direction of community development towards neighborhood empowerment and representation of neighborhood interests, versus, community development on behalf of progrowth policies.

This issue of the ANNALS examines the interplay between progrowth politics, community development, and race. It goes well beyond a broad brushstroke of the topic and examines several specific cities and how they have implemented these strategies - and their impact on impoverished populations and race relations. By using concrete examples, the authors discuss how community development fits - or does not fit - within the framework of progrowth policies and politics. The volume covers several important themes:

- Community development is not politically neutral and must be discussed within a broad political, economic, and even global context.

. Local politics play a major role in determining the direction, nature, and possibilities of community development.

. A high level and sustained community participation is crucial for the representation of low-income urban neighborhoods in cities pursing progrowth policies.

. Race remains a fundamental issue I city politics and influences the political interplay between progrowth strategies and community development.

Utilizing information and analysis across several disciplines, this issue offers important research for students, scholars, and practitioners in areas of political science, economics, sociology, urban studies, and race relations. "

A columnist for the "Philadelphia Daily News," Nancy French blends her hilarious fish-out-of-water tale with humorous observations about the South's obsession with everything from church attendance to the blue-state notion that red staters think as slowly as they speak.

This much-needed study draws on fresh material and firsthand observation to provide an understanding of North Korea as it exists today. North Korea under Kim Chong-il: Power, Politics, and Prospects for Change delves deeply into what we know-and what we think we know-about the current North Korean system. This incisive book probes the dynamics that inform the nation's domestic and foreign policies, examining key leadership institutions and personalities, as well as prospects for the next regime. In outlining the major events behind Kim Chong-il's assumption of power, Ken E. Gause illuminates the environment that shaped Chong-il's worldview and his concept of the regime and his role in it. The book focuses on regime politics since 1994. Among other critical topics, the book examines the evolution of North Korean decision-making with regard to its internal and external affairs and how both are intermingled. The prospects for a third hereditary succession and the prospective stability of the next regime are also considered. Includes original interviews conducted in Asia by the author Offers material drawn from a wide variety of sources, including the rich literature and analysis by Korean, Japanese, and Chinese scholars/analysts, much of which has not been translated into English Provides insights into the tradecraft and best practices of the Pyongyang watching community