Derrida's claim that 'without deconstruction there can be no responsible political thought' is one of his most provocative, and one that even his most vocal admirers have been reluctant to endorse fully. Deconstruction and Democracy evaluates and substantiates Derrida's assertion, assessing the importance of this eminent contemporary philosopher's work for political thought. From the early 1980s onwards, Derrida has addressed political subjects more and more explicitly; here Alex Thomson argues that the time has come for a fresh understanding of deconstruction -- one that acknowledges its relevance for, and potential contribution to, political thinking. The book provides cogent analysis and exegesis of Derrida's often rather abstruse and impenetrable political writings; explores the implications for political theory and practice of Derrida's work; and brings Derrida's work into dialogue with other major strands of contemporary political thought. Deconstruction and Democracy is the clearest and most detailed engagement available with the politics of deconstruction, and is a major contribution to scholarship on the later work of Jacques Derrida, most notably his Politics of Friendship.

One of the most influential philosophers and cultural theorists of the twentieth century, Theodor Adorno poses a considerable challenge to students. His works can often seem obscure and impenetrable, particularly for those with little knowledge of the philosophical traditions on which he draws. Adorno: A Guide for the Perplexed is an engaging and accessible account of his thought that does not patronise or short-change the reader. Those new to Adorno - and those who have struggled to make headway with his work - will find this an invaluable resource: clearly written, comprehensive and specifically focused on just what makes Adorno difficult to read and understand.

This fully updated fifth edition of An Introduction to African Politics is an ideal textbook for those new to the study of this fascinating continent.

Charting trends in government over six decades of the post-colonial era, the book tackles key questions such as: How have African states made sense of their colonial inheritance? How relevant are ethnic and religious identities? Why have some states collapsed and others prospered? Why did the one-party state fail? Why is contemporary Africa now dominated by electoral authoritarian states, and not the multi-party democracies promised in the 1990s?

Key features include:

thematically organised, with chapters exploring issues such as colonialism, ethnicity, nationalism, religion, social class, ideology, legitimacy, authority, sovereignty and democracy;

new five-part structure makes clearer Africa’s political evolution over time;

new chapter on the emergence of ‘hybrid states’ and ‘electoral authoritarianism’;

more coverage of twenty-first century governance trends such as China’s impact, the changing role of the military, different uses of ‘client–patron’ networks, Western conditionality and the ‘Africa rising’ debate;

colour presentation of maps, photos and data;

boxed case studies including Mali, Tanzania, Nigeria, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Somalia, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tunisia and Angola;

each chapter concludes with key terms and definitions, questions and further reading.

An Introduction to African Politics is essential reading for students seeking an accessible introduction to the complex social relationships and events that characterise the politics of post-colonial Africa.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Introductions and the Historical Inheritance

1. Introduction: State, civil society and external interests

2. History: Africa’s pre-colonial and colonial inheritance

Part 2: The Dominant African State, 1960s-1970s

3. Ideology: Nationalism, socialism, populism and state capitalism

4. Ethnicity and religion: ‘Tribes’, gods and political identity

5. Social class: The search for class politics in Africa

6. Legitimacy: Neo-patrimonialism, personal rule and the centralisation of the African state

7. Coercion: Military intervention in African politics

8. Sovereignty I: External influences on African politics

Part 3: The Weakened Africa State, 1980s-1990s

9. Sovereignty II: Neo-colonialism, structural adjustment and Africa’s political economy

10. Authority: The crises of accumulation, governance and state collapse

Part 4: The Re-fashioned African State, 1990s-present

11. Democracy: Multi-party elections re-legitimising the African state?

12. Hybrid regimes: ‘Africa rising’, stalled transitions, or something in-between?

Part 5: Conclusions

13. Conclusions: The changing relationship between state, civil society and external interests in post-colonial Africa

This fully updated fifth edition of An Introduction to African Politics is an ideal textbook for those new to the study of this fascinating continent. Charting trends in government over six decades of the post-colonial era, the book tackles key questions such as: How have African states made sense of their colonial inheritance? How relevant are ethnic and religious identities? Why have some states collapsed and others prospered? Why did the one-party state fail? Why is contemporary Africa now dominated by electoral authoritarian states, and not the multi-party democracies promised in the 1990s? Key features include: thematically organised, with chapters exploring issues such as colonialism, ethnicity, nationalism, religion, social class, ideology, legitimacy, authority, sovereignty and democracy; new five-part structure makes clearer Africa's political evolution over time; new chapter on the emergence of 'hybrid states' and 'electoral authoritarianism'; more coverage of twenty-first century governance trends such as China's impact, the changing role of the military, different uses of 'client-patron' networks, Western conditionality and the 'Africa rising' debate; colour presentation of maps, photos and data; boxed case studies including Mali, Tanzania, Nigeria, Botswana, Cote d'Ivoire, Uganda, Somalia, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tunisia and Angola; each chapter concludes with key terms and definitions, questions and further reading. An Introduction to African Politics is essential reading for students seeking an accessible introduction to the complex social relationships and events that characterise the politics of post-colonial Africa.

Ridley Scott's fantasy adventure, set in a mythical, timeless forest filled with pixies, goblins and other fairytale creatures. The Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry) has come up with a plan to steal the horns of the forest's two remaining unicorns and to thereby block out the sunlight forever. The one person standing between him and the fulfilment of his diabolical desire is the peasant boy Jack (Tom Cruise), an unlikely hero whose girlfriend, Princess Lili (Mia Sara), the Lord of Darkness now has under his control. Jack embarks on a quest to save his true love and prevent the forest being lost in an eternal night; and to make sure he succeeds, he gathers many of his elf and goblin friends to help out.

This Glossary explains the key concepts, institutions, personalities and events most commonly referred to in the teaching of US politics and government. The emphasis is on accessibility in order to provide students with a ready source of knowledge which can supplement core reading. The book will help students to address any gaps they may have in their understanding of US politics which, in turn, will make studying this fascinating subject all the more rewarding and enjoyable.

This thorough glossary explains the key concepts, institutions, personalities, and events most commonly referred to in the teaching of U.S. politics and government. The author has emphasized accessibility, in order to provide students with a ready source of knowledge that can supplement core reading. The book will help students to address any gaps they may have in their understanding of U.S. politics, which, in turn, will make studying this fascinating subject all the more rewarding and enjoyable.

This thorough glossary explains the key concepts, institutions, personalities, and events most commonly referred to in the teaching of U.S. politics and government. The author has emphasized accessibility, in order to provide students with a ready source of knowledge that can supplement core reading. The book will help students to address any gaps they may have in their understanding of U.S. politics, which, in turn, will make studying this fascinating subject all the more rewarding and enjoyable.

Director and star Kenneth Branagh brings another Shakespearean adaptation to the screen. Hamlet (Branagh), Prince of Denmark, vows revenge when informed by the ghost of his murdered father (Brian Blessed) that the present king Claudius (Derek Jacobi) was responsible. Spurning the romantic advances of his sweetheart Ophelia (Kate Winslet), Hamlet attempts to open the eyes of his mother Gertrude (Julie Christie), whom Claudius has now wed. However, Hamlet's procrastination when it comes to killing Claudius costs more lives.

The fourth edition of "An Introduction to African Politics" continues to be the ideal textbook for those new to the study of this fascinating continent. It gets to the heart of the politics of this part of the world, tackling questions such as:

How is modern Africa still influenced by its colonial past? How do strong ethnic identities on the continent affect government? Why has the military been so influential? Why do African states have such difficulty managing their economies? How does African democracy differ from democracy in the West?

The result is a textbook that identifies the essential features of African politics, allowing students to grasp the recurring political patterns that have dominated this continent since independence.

Features and benefits of the third edition: Thematically organised, with individual chapters exploring issues such as colonialism, ethnicity, nationalism, religion, social class, ideology, legitimacy, authority, sovereignty and democracy.

Identifies key recurrent themes such as the competitive relationships between the African state, its civil society and external interests.

Contains useful boxed case studies at the end of each chapter, including: Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Botswana, Cote d Ivoire, Uganda, Somalia, Ghana, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe. Each chapter concludes with key terms and definitions, as well as questions and advice on further reading. Illustrated throughout with images of important political figures, and key moments in African history. Important terms and concepts are explained in a clear and accessible manner and supported by contemporary examples.

This expanded, fully revised and updated edition remains the ideal gateway for students seeking to make sense of the dynamic and diverse political systems that are a feature of this fascinating part of the world. "

Linguistic subterfuge in a city under siege! When he was a boy, Razvan trained as a translator for the hated Keda, the mute enslavers of his city, Val Kedic. They are a cruel race who are quick to anger. They keep a tight hold on the citizens of Val Kedic by forcing their children to be sent to work in the dangerous mines of the city from the age of eleven until eighteen. By learning fingerspeak - the Keda's touch language - Razvan was able to avoid such a punishment for himself and live a life outside the harsh climate of the slums. But the same could not be said for his son... Now a man, Razvan has etched out a quiet life for himself as an interpreter for the Keda court. He does not enjoy his work, but keeps his head down to protect his son, held hostage in the Keda's mines. The Keda reward any parental misdemeanors with extra lashings for their children. Now the city is under siege by a new army who are perhaps even more cruel than their current enslavers. At the same time, a mysterious rebellion force has reached out to Razvan with a plan to utilize the incoming attack to defeat the Keda once and for all. Razvan must decide which side to fight on, who can be trusted, and what truly deserves to be saved. File Under: Fantasy [ Linguistical Nightmare | Camun Willing | Knuckle Up | Silence isn't Golden ]

Get Set for Politics assumes no prior knowledge of the subject. For students who have never studied Politics before, it will give an idea of what to expect. For students already studying Politics at school, it will provide a concise but comprehensive learning aid.Part One concentrates on defining Politics, covering key concepts in political analysis and looking at Politics as an academic subject. Part Two covers core subjects taught in most Politics degrees. Topics include political theory, government, and international relations. Part Three tackles the study skills needed at university level and discusses issues such as lectures, tutorials and seminars; writing skills; essays and dissertations; and examinations. It also covers the transferable skills students will gain from the study of Politics and guidance on future employment and careers."

No democracy without deconstruction. Deconstruction and Democracy evaluates and substantiates Derrida's provocative claim, assessing the importance of this influential and controversial contemporary philosopher's work for political thought. Derrida addressed political questions more and more explicitly in his writing, yet there is still confusion over the politics of deconstruction. Alex Thomson argues for a fresh understanding of Derrida's work, which acknowledges both the political dimension of deconstruction and its potential contribution to our thinking about politics. The book provides cogent analysis and exegesis of Derrida's political writings; explores the implications for political theory and practice of Derrida's work; and brings Derrida's work into dialogue with other major strands of contemporary political thought. Deconstruction and Democracy is the clearest and most detailed engagement available with the politics of deconstruction, and is a major contribution to scholarship on the later works of Jacques Derrida, most notably his Politics of Friendship.

Collection of five films starring Sylvester Stallone. In 'Assassins' (1995) professional hitman Rath (Stallone) decides it's time to call it a day, even though he is still the best around. But as he searches for a way out he discovers that he is now the target of another assassin, Bain (Antonio Banderas), who is determined to be the new number one. The two men are both sent on an assignment to kill intelligence operative Elektra (Julianne Moore). However, Rath decides to flee with Elektra and outwit Bain. In 'The Specialist' (1994) US demolition expert Ray Quick (Stallone) attempts to abort the assassination of a South American drugs baron when he realises innocent children will be killed in the explosion. However, his partner (James Woods) goes ahead with the mission, leaving the duo permanently estranged and Quick psychologically scarred. Years later, a beautiful woman (Sharon Stone) asks Quick to come out of retirement to kill a Cuban drug lord who has murdered her father. Quick initially refuses, but is soon drawn into a plot that brings him in contact with his ex-partner once again. In 'Tango and Cash' (1989) two mismatched cops, one sharp-suited (Stallone), the other a slob (Kurt Russell), are thrown together when they are framed by a big-shot gun-runner (Jack Palance). They are put in prison, duly escape, and then attempt to clear their names whilst trying to track down a massive haul of weapons before they get shipped abroad. In 'Demolition Man' (1993) LA cop John Spartan (Stallone), nicknamed 'Demolition Man' due to his hands-on approach to law enforcement, is condemned to 70 years in the penal freezer after being set up by Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes), Public Enemy Number One. Halfway through his sentence, however, both he and Phoenix are catapulted out of captivity, discovering their city has been transformed into a peaceful utopia, under the benevolent rule of mayor Dr Cocteau (Nigel Hawthorne). As a mysteriously pumped-up Phoenix carries on where he had left off 35 years earlier, Spartan teams up with a comparatively feisty cop (Sandra Bullock) to bring him to justice and expose the man who is engineering the whole scenario. In 'Cobra' (1986) a tough detective known as Cobra (Stallone), is assigned to protect a beautiful model (Brigitte Nielsen), the only witness to a series of brutal murders. It transpires that the killings are not the work of one lone psychopath but rather a highly organised army of neo-fascists.

The story of the infamous Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie (Gary and Martin Kemp), notorious in Britain for their crimes as controlling gangsters of London's East End in the 1960s. The film begins with their childhood, charting their rise to power through the 1950s, and watching as their unnaturally close relationship crumbles alongside their criminal empire.

Collection of five action features starring Steven Seagal. In 'Under Siege' (1992) a battleship is captured by a disgruntled CIA man and his small private army, who pose as a rock band. The only one who can save the vessel, which has nuclear capability, is Casey Ryback (Seagal), the ship's cook and former Navy SEAL. In 'Under Siege 2 - Dark Territory' (1995) a passenger train has been hijacked by electronics expert Travis Dane (Eric Bogosian) and turned into an untracable command centre for a weapons satellite. He plans to blow up Washington DC - for one billion dollars - and it falls to Ryback to stop him. In 'Hard to Kill' (1990) Los Angeles police officer Mason Storm (Seagal) wakes from a lengthy coma and swears revenge on the crooked cops, vicious hoodlums and the corrupt senator who murdered his wife and child and put him to sleep for seven years. In 'Nico - Above the Law' (1988) martial arts detective Nico Toscani (Seagal) discovers that a group of drug barons are about to bring chaos to the streets of Chicago. With the help of his partner (Pam Grier) he soon discovers that the drugs cartel is run by Zagon (Henry Silva), a CIA official whom Nico had worked with during the Vietnam War. In 'Executive Decision' (1996) Pentagon defence analyst Dr. David Grant (Kurt Russell) has to rescue 400 hostages from a hijacked 747 aircraft which is stacked full of dangerous chemical weapons and heading straight for Washington DC. Since the terrorists real objective is the destruction of the US capital, Grant realises that attempts at negotiation will be fruitless and consequently resolves to board the 747 himself. But the mission, led by Special Operations expert Austin Travis (Seagal), looks doomed from the start when the experimental aircraft they are using to board the plane goes wildly out of control during the docking procedure.

One of the most influential philosophers and cultural theorists of the twentieth century, Theodor Adorno poses a considerable challenge to students. His works can often seem obscure and impenetrable, particularly for those with little knowledge of the philosophical traditions on which he draws. Adorno: A Guide for the Perplexed is an engaging and accessible account of his thought that does not patronise or short-change the reader. Those new to Adorno - and those who have struggled to make headway with his work - will find this an invaluable resource: clearly written, comprehensive and specifically focused on just what makes Adorno difficult to read and understand.

Cobra (1986)
Lt. Cobretti (Sylvester Stallone) is a one-man assault team whose laser-mount submachine gun and pearl-handled Colt .45 spit pure crime-stopping venom! Director George P. Cosmatos teams up again with Stallone for this thriller, pitting Cobretti against a merciless serial killer. The trail leads to not one murderer but also an army of psychos bent on slashing their way to a "New Order", and killing a witness (Brigitte Nielsen) along the way. Fortunately, her protector is Cobra, a man who delivers vigilante justice like no other!

Assassins (1995)
Sylvester Stallone and Antonio Banderas star as professional killers, for whom life is survival of the ruthless. And the only retirement is in a body bag. Robert Rath (Stallone) is the best in the business, but he wants out. New competition Miguel Bain (Banderas) aims to do the one thing that will clinch the job: murder Rath. And Rath must dodge an assassin's bullets while hunting his current target, a beautiful electronic surveillance expert (Julianne Moore), who may be his most dangerous assignment ever. Now, for Rath to stop killing--and live--he must do the one thing his instinct and training scream not to do--trust the enemy.

Tango and Cash (1989)
Ray Tango And Gabe Cash (Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell) are rival policemen with one thing in common: each thinks he is the best. Team them up and they're like oil and water. But frame them for a crime and they're like a match and kerosene. After being found guilty in court and sentenced to do time, the two stage a prison breakout that's a breathless rush of weapons and wisecracks - then roar after the shadowy crimelord who set them up. Tango & Cash are out to clear their names. Join them and feel the rush.

The Specialist (1994)
Sharon Stone is May Munro, a beauty with a fatal past. She's sworn death to the mobsters who murdered her parents. To do the job, she recruits ex-CIA explosives expert Ray Quick (Sylvester Stallone). Miami grows white-hot as May lures the killers and Ray detonates them into ashes. But a vicious mob boss (Rod Steiger), his brash son (Eric Roberts) and a psychotic hired gun (James Woods) with a lethal grudge against Quick won't go without a fight. The passion the two avengers share can't hide Ray's ominous question. Is May falling for him... or setting him up, too?

Demolition Man (1993)
The future isn't big enough for the both of them--the 21st century's most dangerous cop and the 21st century's most ruthless criminal. John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) is a no-holds-barred 20th century cop who had been sentenced to cryoprison, a cop known in an earlier century as the Demolition Man. But when psychopathic killer Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes) escapes cryoprison during a mandatory parole hearing, only officer Lenina Huxley (Sandra Bullock) has a plan to stop a criminal rampage from causing havoc in her now-peaceful world: free the one man capable of stopping Phoenix - the Demolition Man himself. Now, two men from another time bring a level of nonstop action long unseen in this future, idyllic world.