Models of Society and Complex Systems introduces readers to a variety of different mathematical tools used for modelling human behaviour and interactions, and the complex social dynamics that drive institutions, conflict, and coordination. What laws govern human affairs? How can we make sense of the complexity of societies and how do individual actions, characteristics, and beliefs interact? Social systems follow regularities which allow us to answer these questions using different mathematical approaches. This book emphasises both theory and application. It systematically introduces mathematical approaches, such as evolutionary and spatial game theory, social network analysis, agent-based modelling, and chaos theory. It provides readers with the necessary theoretical background of each toolset as well as the underlying intuition, while each chapter includes exercises and applications to real-world phenomena. By looking behind the surface of various social occurrences, the reader uncovers the reasons why social systems exhibit both cultural universals and at the same time a diversity of practices and norms to a degree that even surpasses biological variety, or why some riots turn into revolutions while others do not even make it into the news. This book is written for any scholar in the social sciences interested in studying and understanding human behaviour, social dynamics, and the complex systems of society. It does not expect readers to have a particular background apart from some elementary knowledge and affinity for mathematics.

The definitive magic reference book for Witches, Wiccans and all devotees of the magical arts. This is the real version of the archetypal master spell book of fantasy that has a place in our collective imagination.The spell book also contains a brief history of and basic precepts of magic, plus material about the tools of Witchcraft. Sales Handles: * Today there are many books of spells for specific needs and occasions for the practising Wiccan/witch, but no comprehensive and inclusive magic reference book exists. * This is the magical equivalent of a prize and inspirational cookbook: nothing is too basic to be explained and yet sophisticated tastes as well as emergency situations are catered for. * The book goes beyond merely the Wiccan tradition to include a multitude of eastern and western magical traditions whilst fulfilling the archetypal fantasy of the grand grimoire (master spell book). * From Merlin and Grimm's fairytales, to Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Disney's Sorcerer's Apprentice, plus countless other fantasy stories, the master spell book has a place in our collective imagination. This book is that fantasy made real.

A thought-provoking history of communications that challenges ideas about freedom of speech and democracy. At the heart of democracy lies a contradiction that cannot be resolved, one that has affected free societies since their advent: Though freedom of speech and media has always been a necessary condition of democracy, that very freedom is also its greatest threat. When new forms of communication arrive, they often bolster the practices of democratic politics. But the more accessible the media of a society, the more susceptible that society is to demagoguery, distraction, and spectacle. Tracing the history of media disruption and the various responses to it over time, Zac Gershberg and Sean Illing reveal how these changes have challenged democracy—often with unsettling effects.  The Paradox of Democracy captures the deep connection between communication and political culture, from the ancient art of rhetoric and the revolutionary role of newspapers to liberal broadcast media and the toxic misinformation of the digital public sphere. With clear-eyed analysis, Gershberg and Illing show that our contemporary debates over media, populism, and cancel culture are not too different from the democratic cultural experiences of the past. As we grapple with a fast-changing, hyper-digital world, they prove democracy is always perched precipitously on a razor’s edge, now as ever before.

An understanding of each of the critical components of the funding process is key to meeting the challenges posed by the increasingly intense competition for research funds. This book is a vital tool for those who want to build and maximize their grant support. Although many publications provide valuable information about proposal preparation, few cover the full spectrum of issues--from planning through execution--in the funding process. The book leads off with a discussion of the relationship between researchers and the funding environment, features of good short- and long-range funding plans, characteristics of funding organizations in terms of funding power, mission, and priorities, and the manner in which funding information is disseminated. Succeeding chapters focus on the actual development of the many different types of opportunities--research projects, multicomponent research programs, career development and training programs, and small business innovation research. These chapters emphasize conceptualizing an idea, optimizing the researcher-sponsor match, and testing the concept for competitiveness. Further chapters deliver strategies for translating research ideas into written proposals, preparing administrative sections and communicating with a sponsor. The final chapters are dedicated to the outcomes of the proposal process: reviews, rebuttals, and resubmissions; and to progress reports and future proposals for maintaining and building on funding. Flowcharts, examples, and summary tables are used throughout the text to highlight key points.

A Moon Spells Book with Love Spells for True Romance"The perfect resource for spell casting, rituals as well as deities and flowers"-Pegan Pages Magazine The Witch's Book of Love Spells is a moon spells book to help you say "I've finally found the love of my life!" Love can come in many ways, and love spells help to cultivate your greatest love, deepest romance, and truest desires. A spell book for witches full of love and magic. Witchcraft is based on the knowledge that our destinies lie in our own hands, even in matters of the heart. Why suffer love gone wrong when you can do something about it? Don't doubt your power-with the help of this simple moon spells book, some gemstones and crystals, herbs for love, and a little of your natural chemistry, you are irresistible. Love spells that harness the moon. Magic influences desired outcomes, empowers, and fosters growth. Begin this process with love spells-spells that draw the attention and devotion of a lover, strengthen the union between an existing couple, invoke sexual magic, heal a broken heart, and fill your own heart with love and compassion for yourself. Inside this moon spells book, you'll find: Secret recipes for aphrodisiacs Ritual celebrations for the high holidays of love Insight into the mysterious realm of the magic moon and the stars If you liked magic spell books like Green Witchcraft, The Spell Book for New Witches, or Mindfulness through the Stars:, you'll love The Witch's Book of Love Spells.

Following on from the hugely successful Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells, comes the next bumper encyclopedia celebrating all facets of witchcraft. This definite book is the most comprehensive, authoritative and entertaining guide you'll ever find on the mythology, folklore and traditions of magic. In this mammoth magical treasure trove, Judika Illes explores the history, folklore, spirituality, and mythology of witchcraft. A feast of facts and curiosities, rooted in magical and spiritual traditions, from all over the world, there are recipes from the witch's cauldron, magical sacred dates, and methods of witches' flights. Discover how witchcraft has inspired popular culture from Shakespeare to Harry Potter, and how witches have suffered persecution and death in centuries past. Packed full of amazing facts, bizarre information and fascinating stories, you will also be introduced to mythic witches, modern witches, sacred goddess witches, even demon witches, male and female witches, and witches from all over the globe. Ideal for both the dedicated follower and casual reader, as a perfect gift for yourself or someone else to treasure, this definitive encyclopedia is essential reading for anyone interested in folklore, mythology and magic.

This book gives the first comprehensive and theoretically substantiated political science account of the Orban regime in English. It argues that Viktor Orban's regime-building and reconstructive leadership is more than just an example of hybridisation, a successful populist appeal or a backlash against the earlier neoliberal hegemony in Central Europe. It unfolds the major traits of the Orban regime and argues that it provides a paradigmatic case of the Weberian model of plebiscitary leader democracy (PLD). Beyond explaining the backslide of liberal democracy in Hungary, the book aims at two additional contributions of wider significance. First, by applying the concept of PLD to the Hungarian case, it reveals that the authoritarian elements are products of an endogenous drive of modern mass democracy. Second, through the glass of PLD, the Orban regime can be seen as an experimental lab of global trends like mediatisation and personalisation of politics, populist style, the deconsolidation of liberal democratic order, and what is often labelled as "post-truth politics". This book will be of key interest both to scholars and students of Hungary, Post-communist and Central and East European politics and to those interested in populism, democratisation and democratic deconsolidation as a broader trend in a variety of countries.

Models of Society and Complex Systems introduces readers to a variety of different mathematical tools used for modelling human behaviour and interactions, and the complex social dynamics that drive institutions, conflict, and coordination. What laws govern human affairs? How can we make sense of the complexity of societies and how do individual actions, characteristics, and beliefs interact? Social systems follow regularities which allow us to answer these questions using different mathematical approaches. This book emphasises both theory and application. It systematically introduces mathematical approaches, such as evolutionary and spatial game theory, social network analysis, agent-based modelling, and chaos theory. It provides readers with the necessary theoretical background of each toolset as well as the underlying intuition, while each chapter includes exercises and applications to real-world phenomena. By looking behind the surface of various social occurrences, the reader uncovers the reasons why social systems exhibit both cultural universals and at the same time a diversity of practices and norms to a degree that even surpasses biological variety, or why some riots turn into revolutions while others do not even make it into the news. This book is written for any scholar in the social sciences interested in studying and understanding human behaviour, social dynamics, and the complex systems of society. It does not expect readers to have a particular background apart from some elementary knowledge and affinity for mathematics.

This book is a guide to understanding and applying the essential, heretofore elusive, notion of context in language study and pedagogy. Eva Illes offers a new, critical, systematic theoretical framework, then applies that framework to practical interactions and issues in communicative language teaching rooted in English as a Lingua Franca. By linking theory and practice for research and teaching around the world, this book brings a new awareness of how context can be conceptualised and related to language pedagogy to advanced students, teachers, teacher educators and researchers of language teaching, applied linguistics and pragmatics.

A year-long collection of spells and rituals for harnessing the magical power of each day from the author of the Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells. We all could use a little magic in our daily lives. But while the year is filled with mystical dates, we don't always know when and how to celebrate them. By knowing and preparing for these special days we can use their inherent power to change our lives. Daily Magic is a perpetual calendar focused on days of spiritual and magical significance. April 30th for example, is perfect for spellcasting-especially spells for love, romance, fertility, and prosperity. Judika Illes teaches you how to create rituals and cast spells, provides recipes for potions, and offers advice on creating feasts to honor sacred beings. While the most spiritually significant power dates of the year are Midsummer's Eve, Halloween/Samhain, and New Year's, opportunities to use rituals and spells for the most popular goals-love, prosperity, fertility, healing, and protection-occur every week. Illes offers guidance on when to perform a spell-whether it's best to conjure now or to wait for a special power date later in the year. Daily Magic is a spiritual daily calendar that give us the power and the tools we need to take control of our destiny!

Enter the World of Folklore, Myth, and Magic

Discover binding spells and banishing spells, spells for love, luck, wealth, power, spiritual protection, physical healing, and enhanced fertility drawn from Earth's every corner and spanning 5,000 years of magical history.

Stars of Africa is an exciting reading series for learners from Grade R to Grade 7. The series contains a wonderful selection for Foundation Phase learners to build their confidence as readers, widen their knowledge as learners and increase their reading pleasure.

• There are two types of books in the series:
• Stories: The stories are beautifully illustrated in full colour, set in urban and rural envrionments in countries all over Africa, and include titles to appeal to every child.
• Info (Information) Books. The info books introduce concepts and content from all learning areas and are illustrated in full colour to stimulate reading and learning.

• The books are divided into four levels:
• Starting - for Grades R and 1
• Practising - for Grades 2 and 3
• Improving - for Grades 4 and 5
• Independence - for Grades 6 and 7

• Within each level, the books have been graded further for difficulty into three sub-levels: A, B and C.

• For learners in Grades R-3, Stars of Africa has:
• books with no text, and beautiful illustrations
• books with very simple, repeated text
• Big Books, for teachers to use with a whole class
• stories and information books
• books with simple captions
• books with photographs
• counting books and alphabet books
• a book with rhymes, poems and song
• books about life and growing up in Africa
• books that provide knowledge of and encourage a love for the environment
• a dictionary activity book
• a book that deals with the experience of AIDS
• a book that celebrates children's rights
• a personal dictionary Activity Book that learners can use to compile their own word list for each letter of the alphabet.

Contemporary discussions of problems of selfhood and knowledge have offered a wide range of solutions, from calls for a new Enlightenment (in the face of the resurgence of myth and the irrational), to attempts to "re-enchant the world" (in the face of the growth of an impersonal instrumental Reason). In "Between Vision and Obedience - Rethinking Theological Epistemology," George Ille offers a theological response to these competing views, with the specific purpose of evaluating the present state of epistemological rationality in theology. Ille anchors his concerns historically and thematically through the work of the philosophers Paul Ricouer and G.F.W. Hegel. Invoking theological insights from Eastern and Western philosophies, and seeking recourse to a number of philosophers and theologians from both the continental and analytical traditions, he traces the contours of a theological rationality freed from both modern and post-modern hermeneutical anxieties. He proposes a rationality that follows the drama of God's engagement with the world through dying and resurrection, ascesis and abundance, suffering witness and eucharistic communion. This important text challenges and reframes existing theological and philosophical engagements with hermeneutics and epistemology. The new critical perspective it offers will be an invaluable resource for academics and scholars across the humanities. George Ille is Affiliate Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Asbury Theological Seminary. "George Ille is a fine scholar and a creative mind. His book breaks new ground by both examining a wide range of attempts (and failures) to connect theology and epistemology and by offering insights into the exploration of an explicitly theological epistemology." Paul Copan, Palm Beach Atlantic University. "This is an exceptionally bold exercise that seeks to break the logjam between the continental and analytic traditions. On the one hand, it is firmly rooted in the work of Ricoeur; on the other, it engages the work of Audi. Most importantly, it argues that epistemology can and should be rooted in a robust Trinitarian vision of divine action. This is a sophisticated, learned, and accessible volume that advances the discussion in ways that are both illuminating and surprising." William J. Abraham, Southern Methodist University.

This book aims to set out the political, social, legal and scientific underpinning of risk assessment and risk management for toxic substances. It describes the principles and processes the practitioners undertake when looking at the regulatory risk implications of their work.

A thought-provoking history of communications that challenges ideas about freedom of speech and democracy. At the heart of democracy lies a contradiction that cannot be resolved, one that has affected free societies since their advent: Though freedom of speech and media has always been a necessary condition of democracy, that very freedom is also its greatest threat. When new forms of communications arrive, they often bolster the practices of democratic politics. But the more accessible the media of a society, the more susceptible that society is to demagoguery, distraction, and spectacle. Tracing the history of media disruption and the various responses to it over time, Zac Gershberg and Sean Illing reveal how these changes have challenged democracy-often with unsettling effects. The Paradox of Democracy captures the deep connection between communication and political culture, from the ancient art of rhetoric and the revolutionary role of newspapers to liberal broadcast media and the toxic misinformation of the digital public sphere. With clear-eyed analysis, Gershberg and Illing show that our contemporary debates over media, populism, and cancel culture are not too different from democratic cultural experiences of the past. As we grapple with a fast-changing, hyper-digital world, they prove democracy is always perched precipitously on a razor's edge, now as ever before.

Forget everything you thought you knew about dried flowers! If the thought of dried flower arrangements is conjuring up images of stuffy decor that hasn't seen the light of day in decades - think again. Preserved floral arrangements are cool again, and not only are they beautiful, they'll also last infinitely longer than fresh flowers. This gorgeous book offers a new approach to flower arranging with dried botanicals, exploring ways to preserve flowers' beauty forever through drying and pressing, and then presents a catalogue of 30 flowers that are interesting for colour, texture and sculptural appeal in arrangements. 15 step-by-step projects then give you creative ideas for displaying dried flowers including: Bouquets Wreaths Wall hangings Wall art Flower crowns and buttonholes for weddings Terrariums Candles and more These exquisite floral creations will give a bohemian and poetic touch to your interior decor and everlasting beauty to your home.

An understanding of each of the critical components of the funding process is key to meeting the challenges posed by the increasingly intense competition for research funds. This book is a vital tool for those who want to build and maximize their grant support. Although many publications provide valuable information about proposal preparation, few cover the full spectrum of issues--from planning through execution--in the funding process. The book leads off with a discussion of the relationship between researchers and the funding environment, features of good short- and long-range funding plans, characteristics of funding organizations in terms of funding power, mission, and priorities, and the manner in which funding information is disseminated. Succeeding chapters focus on the actual development of the many different types of opportunities--research projects, multicomponent research programs, career development and training programs, and small business innovation research. These chapters emphasize conceptualizing an idea, optimizing the researcher-sponsor match, and testing the concept for competitiveness. Further chapters deliver strategies for translating research ideas into written proposals, preparing administrative sections and communicating with a sponsor. The final chapters are dedicated to the outcomes of the proposal process: reviews, rebuttals, and resubmissions; and to progress reports and future proposals for maintaining and building on funding. Flowcharts, examples, and summary tables are used throughout the text to highlight key points.

Contents:
1. Introduction The Context in Which Toxic Risk Analysis Takes Place 2. What Risk Management Covers 3. Legal and Organisational Frameworks 4. Philosophical Frameworks for Handling Risk 5. The Importance of Risk Perception and Risk Communication for Toxicological Risk Assessment The Principles and Practice of Toxic Risk Analysis 6. Introduction - Royal Society and National Academy of Science 7. Toxicological Assessment 8. Evaluation of Human Health Effects: Toxicity 9. Evaluation of Human Health Effects: Exposure 10. The Special Case of Major Accident Hazards 11. Evaluation of Effects on the Environment 12. Effects on the Atmosphere