Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
|
Your cart is empty |
|||
Showing 1 - 25 of 61 matches in All Departments
It is to be hoped that this analysis of the Dominican situation by two persons who have given it much attention, . . . will help the understanding of deep problems of the Republic to which the American government may, in its wisdom, address itself. Robert Wesson, Series Editor . . . Wiarda and Kryzanek have written a splended overview that meets a major need in the literature. Recommended for upper-division undergraduate students and general readers. Choice Although not usually considered one of the major players in Wetern hemispheric affairs, the Dominican Republic offers the student and professional interested in Latin America a nearby laboratory in which to study the effects of dictatorship, economic intervention, and revolutionary change. The Dominican Republic is also at the center of North-South, East-West currents swirling through the Caribbean Basin. This comprehensive study interweaves the complex interrelations between the international scene and the internal character and development of Dominican national life.
Since the end of the Cold War, there has been a great deal of debate about what U.S. foreign policy should be and how priorities should be reordered. This comprehensive, well-written, provocative assessment has set out to provide answers to key questions. Written by leading experts on their respective regions, who also are professors of national security policy at the National War College in Washington, D.C., this book charts a path for post-Cold War U.S. foreign policy. Each chapter follows a common framework and research design and is informed by a team teaching method, as well as by long experience in policymaking and in academic institutions. The survey consists of chapters dealing with each of the major geopolitical regions of the world and asks a set of common questions: What are the dynamic changes that have occurred in the region? How have security and foreign policy issues changed since the Cold War? What is the history of U.S. policy in the region? How must U.S. policy change to adjust to new realities? An introduction and conclusion point to issues of comparison and sum up conclusions reached by the different contributors. This short overview is intended for courses in U.S. foreign policy and world affairs and for the use of upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, teachers, policymakers, and general readers in political science, world history, and military studies.
Wiarda provides a new edition of a pioneering exploration of Latin American political culture, the autoritarian tradition, and the recent transitions to democracy and the special meaning of that term in the Latin American context. The volume contains a provocative Introduction and Conclusion by the editor as well as essays by leading scholars of Latin American politics and history: Richard Morse, Octavio Paz, Glen Dealy, Peter Smith, and others. This is a classic collection, newly revised and updated.
What options are available now or in the future for students interested in a public policy career? How do they train, network, and advance in the field? Students, parents, professors, guidance counselors, and department chairs are often frustrated by the absence of a solid, readable book on policy careers and options. This book presents the career stories of twenty scholars and policy practitioners who have worked in Congress, the State Department, the CIA, Defense, international agencies, think tanks, the media, and major law firms--all of whom have been influential in shaping public policy--to give readers an accurate and realistic view of life outside the academic world. No other book provides this type of solid advice for young policy professionals and for older scholars considering career changes. As such, it is vital reading in guidance and department collections, and an essential addition to the personal bookshelves of individual students, scholars, and researchers.
Spain and Portugal have recently adopted European-style democratic and political systems. Yet their pattern of historical development is distinctive and, in many respects, their political systems still reflect unique features. In this provocative text Wiard and Mott analyze the special features of Spanish history: the Catholic tradition, seven centuries of Moorish rule, the Christian Reconquest, and the special nature of Spanish feudalism and nationalism. Building on these foundations, the authors analyze Spanish and Portuguese modern history, the regimes of Franco and Salazar, and the recent transitions to democracy. Successive chapters deal with class structure and interest groups, political parties and elections, the structure of the state and state-society relations, regional politics, and patterns of public policy. While becoming more European socially, culturally, and politically, these two Iberian political systems show also some remarkable continuities with the past, including notions of organic democracy, neocorporatism, and tensions between regionalism and centralism, democracy and authoritarianism, and religiousity and secularism. Students and scholars involved with European politics, comparative politics, Iberian Studies, and transitions to democracy will find this an accessible and provocative analysis.
This book emphasizes the necessity of coming to grips with historic and contemporary corporatism in order to fully comprehend Latin American and Iberian development on its own terms and in its own sociopolitical context.
As ?must? reading for anyone interested in comparative politics, this text is designed to address the theoretical developments and approaches important to the comparative study of political systems today. These include: developmentalism, dependency theory, corporatism, state society relations, political economy, public policy analysis, indigenous theories of change, rational choice, and the new institutionalism. This text sees the new diversity of approaches as healthy and invigorating. The diversity in comparative politics over the past two decades has been reflected in prior editions of this book. Whereas these separate approaches once may have been regarded as fragmentary, now scholars have come to regard the diverse lines of inquiry as lending complimentary tools of analysis to our complex modern world. The emerging methods of comparative study often provide ?causeways? between previous ?islands of theory.? In this new edition, all the main approaches to comparative politics are represented in chapter length treatment. Several contributors revisit the topics they addressed in the prior editions, e.g. Tony Smith on dependency analysis, Lawrence Graham on public policy, and Joel Migdal on state-society relations. Most significantly, the third edition introduces readers to new, provocative analyses such as Paul Adams on corporatism, Anthony Gill on political economy; Ronald Inglehart on political culture; Gerardo Munck on rational choice, A. H. Somjee on indigenous theory, and Frank L. Wilson on the new institutionalism. Introductory and concluding essays by editor Howard J. Wiarda integrate the book, placing the different approaches in perspective.
This succinct overview of the political factors that condition social and economic development in Latin America is the perfect core text in courses on politics, government, social change, and transitions to democracy throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Much has occurred in the Dominican Republic since the first edition of this critically acclaimed profile was published ten years ago: Democratic government has become more firmly established, if no less contentious, and the fragile economy, though still the definitive element in Dominican life, has benefited from changes in global trade patterns and corporate investment. Yet the Dominican Republic remains a nation mired in poverty and social tension. As the country heads toward the quincentennial of Columbus's landing in the New World, there is both anticipation and apprehension as the citizenry looks back proudly to their heritage and forward to a future clouded by uncertainties. This edition examines the changing character of governance and the political changes that have returned Joaquin Balaguer to the presidency for an unprecedented sixth term. The economic transitions that have made the Dominican Republic an attractive site for foreign business and tourism are also addressed, along with the economic causes of urban and rural unrest and the emigration of Dominicans to Puerto Rico and the United States. Critical public policy issues such as energy, taxation, population control, and education are explored, together with the social and political conflicts created by debt, austerity, and fiscal reform. Finally, the authors analyze the Dominican Republic's relations with its neighbors and major trading partners, giving special emphasis to the impact of new global and regional ties. Throughout, they focus on the struggle to maintain democracy in the face of the inevitable dislocations caused by economic reform and modernization.
This book is especially timely as Latin America is diversifying its international connections, Spain and Portugal are seeking to expand their interests and presence in Latin America, and U.S. policy toward both regions has become increasingly complex. Contributors trace the history of Iberian-Latin American relations from colonial times and then examine the cultural, economic, political, and strategic ties that currently exist between the two regions. Particular attention is focused on the impact of Iberian-Latin American relations on U.S. foreign policy. The book concludes with a section of country-specific case studies.
The National War College at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., is the apex of the American system of military Professional Military Education (PME) Schools. The War College has trained such leading foreign policy specialists as former National Security Director Brent Scowcroft, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and current National Security Director James Jones. Yet, despite its prestige, not all is right at the College. There is a festering conflict between the military brass who run the school and the civilian academics who teach there. The curriculum is outdated, the courses are old-fashioned, and the college failed completely to prepare a new generation of military leaders for guerilla terrorism, a-symmetrical warfare of the kind we are now facing in Iraq and Afghanistan, and democracy-promotion and national building. In Military Brass vs. Civilian Academics at the National War College: A Clash of Cultures, Howard J. Wiarda uses his first-hand experience to examine the conflict between the two cultures, military and civilian, that coexist uneasily at the College. He also explores the issues tenure, academic freedom, research, teaching that divide them. While this study focuses on the National War College, what Wiarda has to say about the tensions and "clash of culture" applies to all PME schools.
Democracy is deep peril in Latin America, as is U.S. policy in the region. Public support for democracy has declined dramatically since the impressive 'third wave' transitions to democracy in the 1980s and 1990s, and public opinion surveys show almost half of Latin Americans prefer 'strong government,' often a euphemism for authoritarianism. Meanwhile, U.S. policy toward Latin America has returned to far-from-benign neglect. The democratic gains of the last two decades are under threat, neither in Latin America nor in the United States do policymakers seem to have any viable alternatives or solutions to the present malaise. This balanced, clear study explores why democracy in Latin America is so troubled, and why U.S. policy in the area so often goes astray. Howard Wiarda argues that because Latin America was built on a different basis than the United States and has a different history, political culture, and social foundation, it cannot possibly imitate the U.S. model of democracy. Indeed, U.S. policy in Latin America goes astray not just through neglect but through misunderstanding. Ultimately, the author argues, it is only with a renewed and respectful U.S. policy approach-one that includes engaging with the myriad histories and cultures of the region-can the United States hope to encourage a strong and effective democratic tradition there.
Universities in Decline examines the declining role of universities in policy generation and analyzes the increasing political influence of Washington-based institutions. This provocative new book identifies such Washington think tanks and policy shops as AEI, CSIS, and the National War College as the main generators of policy incentives.
Dispatches from the Frontlines analyzes some of the world's most contentious hotspots. It focuses on such compelling global issues as Third World development, the role of the state, corporatism, and foreign aid. Dispatches from the Frontlines is a thought-provoking book for anyone interested in foreign policy, comparative politics, and international affairs.
On the Boundaries focuses on the connections between international relations, comparative politics, and foreign policy. To many observers, international relations and comparative politics have recently lost focus. Both fields continually move away from foreign policy concerns. In this provocative volume, Howard J. Wiarda details where these fields have gone astray, indicates what must be done to correct their downward trajectories, and offers probing analyses of recent hot political topics that re-forge the links between international relations, comparative politics, and foreign policy."
Political culture refers to the basic values, ideas, beliefs and political orientations by which countries, societies, and whole regions are guided. The underlying belief systems that shape cultures and societies and cause them to behave in certain, often distinct ways. The puzzle or query that chiefly concerns this author is why the United States (US) and its foreign policy have such a hard time understanding cultures and societies other than their own. This provocative book argues that the US needs to end its attitudes of superiority and condescension toward other nations and cultures and redirect its foreign policy accordingly. After an introduction that sets forth the main theoretical and conceptual arguments, the next chapters explore all the main areas of the world. The Conclusion pulls all these themes together, analyzes the common patterns that emerge, and suggests new directions for U.S foreign policy.
This book is designed to be used as an introductory text in courses or seminars in Latin American politics, Latin American development, comparative politics, Third World politics, transitions to democracy, globalization, politics of developing areas, and social change.
Since the 1980s a remarkable consensus has emerged in U.S. foreign policy based on three main pillars: democracy, free trade, and open markets. The free trade and open markets issues currently are being debated in Congress, but recent events in Russia, Bosnia, Mexico, and Haiti (among others) force us to reexamine the democracy-fostering aspects of U.S. policy as well. Howard J. Wiarda offers a probing analysis of U.S. democracy/elections policy, exploring both the positive aspects of the policy and its negative implications. His volume ranges widely across countries and regions to examine Russia, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. It wrestles with the complex issues raised by the elections/democracy agenda and concludes with a series of recommendations for analysts and policymakers.
This integrated collection of original essays evaluates and assesses whether democracy is viable in Latin America and, if so, how and in what form. The authors examine the significance, for both Latin America and the United States, of the dominance of authoritarian political systems in most Latin American countries; explore the implications of asse
Think tanks have become increasingly important in American politics foreign policy. In the last thirty years think tanks have emerged as major actors on the political stage, comparable in influence to large interest groups, political parties, and government agencies. In the same time span these think tanks have replaced universities as the main source for new policy ideas and the background research and arguments to justify them. This book discusses think tanks in general but focuses specifically on the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) in Philadelphia. Though a smallish 'tank, ' FPRI has been enormously influential, feeding its ideas into government and policy debate even at the level of presidential politics. The author discusses FPRI within the context of the growing influence of presidential politics. The author discusses FPRI within the context of the growing influence of think tanks over public policy in general and foreign policy in particular.
Harvard's Weatherhead Center for International Affairs (WCFIA) is one of the nation's premier institutions for research on foreign policy, comparative politics, security policy, and international relations. It has also been an incubator of presidential advisors on foreign policy_Bob Bowie, Mac Bundy, Henry Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski. In this insider and first-person book on WCFIA (formerly CFIA), Howard J. Wiarda explores Harvard's history and culture, the founding and development of WCFIA, and how this prestigious institution works. He examines the WCFIA seminar system, the fellows program, and the incredible flow of presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, and defense ministers who flow through WCFIA on an everyday basis. He looks at the research agenda at WCFIA, how it influences foreign policy, and the 'in 'n outers' revolving door flow of WCFIA scholars and policy wonks into Washington policy-making at the highest levels. In the process the author provides revealing portraits of such eminent scholars and policy influentials as Gabriel Almond, Brzezinski, Stanley Hoffman, Sam Huntington, Kissinger, Joe Nye, Bob Putnam, Lucian Pye, Myron Wiener, and many others. This book is written in an engaging style and includes the author's own experiences at Harvard and WCFIA over a forty-year period. The book is part of a series by the author on 'Universities, Think Tanks, and War Colleges: The Changing Pattern of Foreign Policy Influence.'
Harvard's Weatherhead Center for International Affairs (WCFIA) is one of the nation's premier institutions for research on foreign policy, comparative politics, security policy, and international relations. It has also been an incubator of presidential advisors on foreign policy Bob Bowie, Mac Bundy, Henry Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski. In this insider and first-person book on WCFIA (formerly CFIA), Howard J. Wiarda explores Harvard's history and culture, the founding and development of WCFIA, and how this prestigious institution works. He examines the WCFIA seminar system, the fellows program, and the incredible flow of presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers, and defense ministers who flow through WCFIA on an everyday basis. He looks at the research agenda at WCFIA, how it influences foreign policy, and the "in 'n outers" revolving door flow of WCFIA scholars and policy wonks into Washington policy-making at the highest levels. In the process the author provides revealing portraits of such eminent scholars and policy influentials as Gabriel Almond, Brzezinski, Stanley Hoffman, Sam Huntington, Kissinger, Joe Nye, Bob Putnam, Lucian Pye, Myron Wiener, and many others. This book is written in an engaging style and includes the author's own experiences at Harvard and WCFIA over a forty-year period. The book is part of a series by the author on "Universities, Think Tanks, and War Colleges: The Changing Pattern of Foreign Policy Influence."
This provocative volume emphasizes the necessity of coming to grips with historic and contemporary corporatism in order to fully comprehend Latin American and Iberian development on its own terms and in its own sociopolitical context. Professor Wiarda fully explores corporatism-its theory and practice (and the vast gap between the two), its ideology and historical roots, and its sociology and political economy. Providing background materials, comparative and empirical data, and case studies, he uncovers new areas of research for historians, social scientists, and area specialists. Although the focus of this potentially controversial book is on Latin American development, it shows as well how corporatism has relevance for our understanding of recent changes in the United States and other advanced industrial societies.
Conservative Brain Trust traces the rise, fall, and rise again of the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI). More than that, it is the story of one of Washington's leading think tanks: what it's like to work there, how Washington works, and how AEI influences policy, including policy on the controversial Iraq War. This is a wide-ranging review of the Washington think tank world, focused particularly on AEI. The book is a social science and political study of the role of think tanks in Washington policy-making and, in part, a personal memoir of the author's adventures and perceptions in seeking to link academic research and American foreign policy. What emerges is a portrait of AEI as an influential, but also troubled, think tank with access to the highest levels of the U.S. government. Irreverent as well as analytic, the author recounts his adventures and experiences in the think tank and policy worlds. |
You may like...
Democracy Works - Re-Wiring Politics To…
Greg Mills, Olusegun Obasanjo, …
Paperback
Eight Days In July - Inside The Zuma…
Qaanitah Hunter, Kaveel Singh, …
Paperback
(1)
|