This book addresses the breakdown of failed democratic systems in Latin America and the Caribbean. The scope of this investigation is a study of political systems of Venezuela, Colombia, and Nicaragua. The implications of the present research on democratic purgatory have real-world applications not only for the above countries but also for those political systems that are currently transitioning and/or consolidating their democracies as well.  

Eternal Life and Human Happiness in Heaven treats four apparent problems concerning eternal life in order to clarify our thinking about perfect human happiness in heaven. The teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas provide the basis for solutions to these four problems about eternal life insofar as his teachings call into question common contemporary theological or philosophical presuppositions about God, human persons, and the nature of heaven itself. Indeed, these Thomistic solutions often require us to think very differently from our contemporaries. But thinking differently with St. Thomas is worth it: for the Thomistic solutions to these apparent problems are more satisfying, on both theological and philosophical grounds, than a number of contemporary theological and philosophical approaches. Christopher Brown deploys his argument in four sections. The first section lays out, in three chapters, four apparent problems concerning eternal life-Is heaven a mystical or social reality? Is heaven other-worldly or this-worldly? Is heaven static or dynamic? Won't human persons eventually get bored in heaven? Brown then explains how and why some important contemporary Christian theologians and philosophers resolve these problems, and notes serious problems with each of these contemporary solutions. The second section explains, in five chapters, St. Thomas' significant distinction between the essential reward of the saints in heaven and the accidental reward, and treats in detail his account of that in which the essential reward consists, namely, the beatific vision and the proper accidents of the vision (delight, joy, and charity). The third section treats, in five chapters, St. Thomas' views on the multifaceted accidental reward in heaven, where the accidental reward includes, among other things, glorified human embodiment, participation in the communion of the saints, and the joy experienced by the saints in sensing God's "new heavens and new earth." Finally, section four argues, in four chapters, that St. Thomas' views allow for powerful solutions to the four apparent problems about eternal life examined in the first section. These solutions are powerful because, not only are they consistent with authoritative, Catholic Christian Tradition, but they do not raise any of the significant theological or philosophical problems that attend the contemporary theological and philosophical solutions examined in the first section.

Constructing International Studies is a collection of writings that explores the most progressive edge of the discipline. Through diverse perspectives and issues, the book gives students a thorough understanding of how the field is developing presently. By incorporating the conceptual thinking that will frame the next generation of international studies, it provides students an understanding of the contemporary discussions and prepares them for meaningful future engagement in the field. The book opens with a foreword by Nicholas Greenwood Onuf. The first thematic section is devoted to addressing the meaning of international studies and its place in academia. Subsequent sections discuss the construction of identities in a post-modern world, constructing the notion of the "international," and deconstructing security and development. The textbook promotes a real-world global perspective through the inclusion of reflective readings from scholars who are shaping discussions on the future of the discipline. The work explores topics such as feminist international relations, international law and organizations, postcolonial agency, norms, international political economy, development, the rise of nationalism, and the role of human rights beyond liberal and republican traditions. Dynamic and interdisciplinary, the representative sampling of scholarship in Constructing International Studies is well-suited to lower-level courses with a progressive orientation. It is an ideal choice for upper-division courses dedicated to discussing current, enlivening themes in the field.

African Americans once passed as whites to escape the pains of racism. Today's neo-passing has pushed the old idea of passing in extraordinary new directions. A white author uses an Asian pen name; heterosexuals live "out" as gay; and, irony of ironies, whites try to pass as black. Mollie Godfrey and Vershawn Ashanti Young present essays that explore practices, performances, and texts of neo-passing in our supposedly postracial moment. The authors move from the postracial imagery of Angry Black White Boy and the issues of sexual orientation and race in ZZ Packer's short fiction to the politics of Dave Chappelle's skits as a black President George W. Bush. Together, the works reveal that the questions raised by neo-passing-questions about performing and contesting identity in relation to social norms-remain as relevant today as in the past. Contributors: Derek Adams, Christopher M. Brown, Martha J. Cutter, Marcia Alesan Dawkins, Michele Elam, Alisha Gaines, Jennifer Glaser, Allyson Hobbs, Brandon J. Manning, Loran Marsan, Lara Narcisi, Eden Osucha, Gayle Wald, and Deborah Elizabeth Whaley

Computer vision is a rapidly developing and highly interdisciplinary field of computer science and engineering. An increasing number of researchers are turning their attention to the development of vision algorithms that can analyse dynamic images at real-time rates. Real-time vision is needed for automated systems to keep pace with real-world activities and thus control or respond appropriately to them. This is the first book devoted to the subject of real-time computer vision, and includes articles by some of the leading researchers in the world. The focus is on algorithms for interpreting visual input at video rates and on using the gathered information for decision-making and control. Topics covered include: shape recovery; model-based vehicle tracking; active exploration; tracking heads and eyes; controlling robot behavior; visual monitoring; controlling distributed robots. The book will be of interest to students, researchers and engineers involved in the design and programming of visually guided systems.

African Americans once passed as whites to escape the pains of racism. Today's neo-passing has pushed the old idea of passing in extraordinary new directions. A white author uses an Asian pen name; heterosexuals live "out" as gay; and, irony of ironies, whites try to pass as black. Mollie Godfrey and Vershawn Ashanti Young present essays that explore practices, performances, and texts of neo-passing in our supposedly postracial moment. The authors move from the postracial imagery of Angry Black White Boy and the issues of sexual orientation and race in ZZ Packer's short fiction to the politics of Dave Chappelle's skits as a black President George W. Bush. Together, the works reveal that the questions raised by neo-passing-questions about performing and contesting identity in relation to social norms-remain as relevant today as in the past. Contributors: Derek Adams, Christopher M. Brown, Martha J. Cutter, Marcia Alesan Dawkins, Michele Elam, Alisha Gaines, Jennifer Glaser, Allyson Hobbs, Brandon J. Manning, Loran Marsan, Lara Narcisi, Eden Osucha, Gayle Wald, and Deborah Elizabeth Whaley