In Communes and Workers' Control in Venezuela: Building 21st Century Socialism from Below, Dario Azzellini offers an account of the Bolivarian Revolution from below. While authors on Venezuela commonly concentrate on former president Hugo Chavez and government politics, this book shows how workers, peasants and the poor in urban communities engage in building 21st century socialism through popular movements, communal councils, communes and fighting for workers' control. In a relationship of cooperation and conflict with the state, social transformation is approached on 'two tracks', from below and from above. Azzellini's fascinating account stands out because of the extensive empirical examples and original voices from movements, communal councils, communes and workers.

Series Information:
Harwood Fundamentals of Pure & Applied Economics

Increasing disparities in income distribution, both national and international, keep this issue at the forefront of debates on economic policy.

Much discussion has centred on the possibility of a 'third way' between socialism and the market and on the role of the 'third sector' (public, voluntary and not for profit) in modern advanced economies.

Much discussion has centred on the possibility of a 'third way' between socialism and the market and on the role of the 'third sector' (public, voluntary and not for profit) in modern advanced economies.

This book challenges some of the fundamental tenets of "free market" economics that have had a profound impact on public policy and the plight of the American worker. These include the beliefs that high wages inevitably mean low profits; that a "free" market will automatically reduce discrimination and pay inequality; that anti-trust legislation hinders competitive market forces; and that minimum wage laws and trade unions negatively impact the economy.

Using both theoretical analysis and real-life examples, the author shows that these myths are a product of unrealistic behavioral assumptions on the part of "free market" economists about the typical worker. In fact, as the author makes clear, the level of workers' satisfaction with their jobs, as a reflection of how well they are paid and treated by their employers, has a direct impact on the quality level of the products they produce and, inevitably, the economic performance of the firms.

Ranging from the classic discussions of a century and more ago, to evidence for the diversity of consumption at the beginning of the 21st century, this set is a foundation for a rapidly growing area of contemporary academic study. The volumes reflect a major transformation in consumption studies. Gone are the simple debates as to whether consumption is in general a good or bad thing, and equally simple technical definitions. Instead these volumes demonstrate the maturity of its subject: that consumption is a foundation to most people's lives in most parts of the world. The contents are inter-disciplinary with approaches ranging from anthropology and media studies, to geography and business studies. Each discipline provides its own theories, perspectives and methodologies for studying this topic. These volumes are also concerned to make use of the rapid increase in studies of actual consumption across the globe so that many of the examples come from areas such as China, Japan, India and South America and break free of what had previously been debates almost exclusively concerned with Europe and the United States.

This work aims to show that Japan even at it's height of success, while the successful version of capitalism was blighted at it's core, being unsustainable. This revised edition features n introduction which gives an analysis of Japan's contemporary crisis.

An overview of present day thought on the very topical subject of financial stability and central banking. The papers, written by leading researchers, provide a highly informed account of contemporary policy issues and explore the legal, regulatory, managerial and economic issues that affect central banks.

This book analyses Germany's role in the euro crisis. Based on the perception of Berlin as the emerging capital of the European Union, the author investigates three interrelated issues: Did the German policy approach of imposing austerity programs on countries in the middle of a deep recession contribute to the successful management of the euro crisis? Does Germany extend its sway over its European partners by forcing them to surrender to the German diktat of fiscal Disziplin and economic efficiency? Is the stubborn insistence on rigid fiscal adjustment another ominous sign of the Berlin Republic moving away from the country's traditional European vocation toward an imperial leadership role? The book's main argument is that Germany's role in and responses to the euro crisis can best be explained by different concepts of self, historical memory, and institutional practices.

The emergence of open unemployment is an unavoidable consequence of postcommunist transition. Some countries - notably in the former Soviet Union - initially slowed economic contraction. But in the longer run slower reformers have generally sustained deeper and more prolonged recessions than faster reforming central European countries. Moreover, the initially low unemployment rates in the former Soviet Union are now rising, and may stabilize at higher post-transition equilibrium rates than in Central Europe. Across the region, real wages reacted in unexpected ways, with significant effects for employment. Productivity gains in Central European industry tended not to be passed along into proportional real wage increases, slowing inflows into unemployment. In addition, and contrary to some earlier assessments, the restructuring process affected not only wage structures, but also the level of unemployment over time. An important constraint on post-socialist countries' response to unemployment is the role served by EU social insurance and labour law standards as guides to countries' progress toward "normal" economic systems. When considering the possible impact of EU integration and ha

This book analyzes regional and local models of development, in the context of existing socio-economic disparities and the impact of EU enlargement and European policy, offering a comparitive and in-depth analysis of the distinct nature of regional differences within Central and Eastern Europe.

Today, despite many significant achievements in science, technology, medicine, transportation and communications, and a vast increase in world trade, the globalized world economy is facing serious socio-economic, political, cultural and environmental problems, of potentially catastrophic proportions. Although many attempts have been made by international organizations like the World Bank and IMF to raise living standards, the dire poverty of billions of people and the widening gap between rich and poor, both within and between countries, point to the failure of these policies. Consequently, we face global crises of inequality, injustice, poverty, marginalization, exclusion and environmental degradation. There has also been a huge rise in crime, corruption and now terrorism. Economic and political failures have resulted in mass migrations across national borders, causing further problems of xenophobia, fear, mistrust, racism and intolerance, which are threatening the fabric of societies all over the world. So, what has gone wrong? Dr Mofid, who has taught economics at university for over 20 years, argues that the root of the problem lies in the way economics is taught, with its narrow focus on "self-interest" and "competition" as the sole motivating factors in economic activity. This ignores equally important considerations like compassion, co-operation and the common good, which are essential for a prosperous and harmonious society. Globalization today is regarded by many as a means of securing for richer individuals, corporations and nations an ever larger slice of the wealth produced, polluting the environment in their greedy pursuit of more, and locking billions into hopeless poverty. In "Globalisation for the Common Good", the author argues that it is possible to achieve a balance between economically efficient production and an equitable distribution of the wealth in a sustainable environment, so that everybody who is willing to work can share in the benefits of globalization. He puts forward an alternative economic model which has firm theological, spiritual and ethical foundations.

In the late 1980s, the field of comparative economics and NATO faced a similar problem: the threat of obsolescence. A predictable reaction of those who had made major investments in both comparative economics and NATO was to look for a new job. It was time to say: comparative economic systems are dead, long live comparative economic systems. The purpose of this book is to redirect study of what we called comparative economic systems toward analysis of the development of institutions and the effects of alternative institutional arrangements on economic performance. To that end, the book internalizes into a theoretical framework (1) the effects of alternative property rights on the costs of transactions and incentives structures, (2) the effects of the costs of transactions and incentives on economic behavior, and (3) the evidence for refutable implications of those effects. Analysis here focuses on the issues, propositions and conclusions that lend themselves to the only known scientific test: empirical verification. Thus, this book is not about what socialism or capitalism could have been, should have been, or should be. Nor is it an ode to capitalism. Its purpose is not to assert that capitalism is a better economic system than socialism. The history of this century and the market for institutions have done that. My purpose is to explain what is it that makes the institutions of capitalism better in terms of economic outcome than all other alternatives that have been tried since the beginning of recorded history.

Has America always been the champion of free trade? Debates about free trade and protection are one of the dominant features of 19th century economic discourse. The writings of the British classical economists, in particular, have been the subject of extensive secondary literature. In contrast, the writings of their American counterparts have often been overlooked. This collection seeks to help rectify this, by giving access to an extensive range of 19th-century American writings on trade issues. Many of the pieces selected are unavailable, even in America. Each has been carefully retypeset. Early American economics is often criticized for lacking the theoretical sophistication of European economics. The picture which emerges from these texts is more complex. It seems that far from being of universal application, the ideas of the English classical economists did not fit neatly in the context of 19th-century America, and it is much harder to draw a sharp doctrinal divide between protectionists and free-traders. The texts reproduced discuss: "the American system" of protection for infant industries; the North/South divide in the US, made manifest by the slavery question and the civil

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall we have been told that no alternative to Western capitalism is possible or desirable. This book challenges this view with two arguments. First, the above premise ignores the enormous variety within capitalism itself. Second, there are enormous forces of transformation within contemporary capitalisms, associated with moves towards a more knowledge-intensive economy. These forces challenge the traditional bases of contract and employment, and could lead to a quite different socio-economic system. Without proposing a static blueprint, this book explores this possible scenario.

A much-needed, indispensable volume for anyone involved in the social services or human services field, Pressing Issues of Inequality and American Indian Communities supplies you with vital information that will assist you in offering culturally sensitive services to your clients. You will gain a new perspective from the blending of traditional academic research with the voices of those most intimately affected. From Pressing Issues of Inequality and American Indian Communities, you will learn proven methods that will help you offer successful and effective services to your Native American clients.Pressing Issues of Inequality and American Indian Communities reveals the stark realities facing American Indian people today. Through this compelling book you will gain new insight into the challenges presented to Native Americans and how to help your clients face these challenges by: learning how to assist American Indian families through an increased understanding of the new time-limited welfare assistance that generally only impacts them if they live off the reservation examining how poverty and a lack of infrastructure and social services exacerbates the problems Navajo women face when leaving violence in their homes using the positive power of language through case examples of American Indian women to understand how stories and their implications change significantly depending on if they are interpreted from a deficit or strength perspectiveFrom the information in Pressing Issues of Inequality and American Indian Communities, you will gain new insight into specific problems facing American Indian people, including welfare reform 's devastating effects on American Indians trying live off the reservation and the impact of reservation isolation on domestic violence. The information in Pressing Issues of Inequality and American Indian Communities will help you provide culturally sensitive services to Native Americans and assist them in increasing their quality of life.

It is said that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. It is a time honored cautionary statement that has suddenly acquired a new urgency. A little knowledge is dangerous, because as a force for dramatic change, knowledge today is revolutionary. More is known and being learned everyday than was ever known or learned before. As a direct result, the pace of change-and that means change in the sense of everything from business to economics, science, medicine, and politics-is beginning to accelerate much more rapidly than ever before in mankind's history.
The purpose of this book then is twofold. First it is to provide a broader case for action for knowledge management-to explain what it is, why it has come about and why it is important. In this regard, we take a step back and try to understand the root causes behind the knowledge management techniques are very different, and in many ways more important, than the sort of process or productivity improvement techniques we have dealt with before.
"Brains, not brawn. The success of countries, companies and people in the next century will depend on what they know and how clever they are at using this knowledge. Dale Neef has given us the best outline yet of the forces behind this extraordinary change in the world economy, the threats and opportunities we all face, and the prizes that await the winners."
-Hamish McRae, author, The World in 2020, Associate editor, "The Independent," London
"Dale Neef has produced a singular achievement: a book which lucidly
explains the powerful driving role being played by knowledge in the emerging global economy. He provides a penetrating, all-too-rare trans-national perspective whichhighlights in a highly readable manner the historical, social and technological context within which this revolution is taking place. In doing so, he has stripped away the hype and jargon with which many knowledge management "experts" have clouded this structural change in the global economy.
Mr. Neef offers a fascinating array of facts to support his explanations and goes on to discuss the implications of these developments for managers, for companies and for national governments. This book is a must-read for anyone actively engaged in global business today."
-Jon Lowe, Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor
"A Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing provides a very comprehensive view of the impact that the knowledge revolution on our 21st Century society. The economic dislocations that Dale Neef describes are already taking place, creating the prospect that large segments of our population may not have the skills for sustainable employment in the future. The implications of these events on the social and political fabric of our country give one great pause for reflection and concern."
-William R. Brody, President, The Johns Hopkins University
"Once again, Dale Neef combines just the right amounts of theory, academia and practical business experience to write a truly insightful book. In his consulting work, Mr. Neef's broad business, cultural and educational background has allowed him to analyze problems from a rich variety of perspectives. In this book, he artfully applies this skill to Knowledge Management."
-James R. Breakey, Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Green Tree Financial Corporation
"This book is full of facts... that we needto understand if we are to draw critical conclusions about how the knowledge economy is impacting our businesses and our lives. Neef provides us with a broad perspective, concentrating not just on the US, but including insightful comparisons with Canada and Europe as well as many developing countries. The numbers provide an eye opening look at what has changed and what is changing in the knowledge economy...It is a book that challenges our thinking and ...provides a much needed conceptual framework to guide the actions organizations will need to take in the knowledge economy."
-Nancy M. Dixon, Associate Professor of Administrative Sciences, The George Washington University
"Leveraging employee knowledge has become a strategic necessity for all "high road" companies, and organizations must optimize knowledge management techniques in the new global economy. Ford understands the need to capitalize on the knowledge of our employees in order to improve our business and enhance shareholder value in what is now a knowledge-based, global economy."
-Dar Wolford, Ford Manager, Best Practice Replication
- Marries international knowledge management and economics
- Provides a broader business case for action based on clearly defined collective set of policies and practices
- The only book we know that explains the cause and effect relationship between the global knowledge-based economy and knowledge management

While much has been gained from the traditional legal scholars' doctrinal mode of analysis of the takings issue, this volume is presented in the belief that contributions from scholars from the various schools of thought that comprise Law and Economics can complement the traditional doctrinal approach to law. As the discipline of Law and Economics continues to advance, it remains heterodox; there are several vantage points from which to describe and analyze the interrealtionships between law and economics. It is hoped that the analyses from the several vantage points provided here will complement the prodigous body of existing doctrinal, legal analysis of the takings issue and deepen the understanding of the jurisprudential questions and economic issues surrounding the takings issue. To this end, each contributor to this volume was selected as `representative' of one of the schools of thought comprising Law and Economics. In addition, each contributor was provided with a collection of recent United States Supreme Court cases (those summarized in Chapter 1 of this book) along with President Regan's Executive Order: The sole charge to each contributor was to conduct a legal-economic analysis of the cases and the President's Executive Order from the vantage point of their respective school of thought.

P.J. Lloyd and Hyun-Hoon Lee have assembled an international cast of contributors to offer a selection of models examining the nature of intra-industry trade in several new areas of trade theory, in addition to empirical studies and analysis of much new data in trade patterns. This volume provides an authoritative new treatment of the theory, measurement and testing of the subject of intra-industry trade.

First published in 1998. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

First Published in 1998. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.