Democracy and Civil Society in a Global Era addresses challenges to the strengthening of active citizenship. In this highly-structured work, the themes presented are linked to fostering a culture of peace and non-violence, the lessening of fear and insecurity in political, economic, social, and cultural terms inherently detached from the conceptualization of political delineations and physical boundaries, and the ability to live dignified lives. The various regions that are represented in the case studies include: the Indian sub-continent, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Iran, China, the Middle East, Nigeria and the EU. The commonality and universality of the topics allows readers from any region of the world to relate to them. This book presents a dynamic combination of theory and field research, and is an iconoclastic tour-de-force of studies in democracy. Policy makers, think tanks and development practitioners may be particularly be interested in this book because it is about action rather than mere ideas and processes. It demonstrates how social movements can introduce and strengthen equality, inclusion, accountability, and the free flow of information. These elements, in turn, can contribute to the acculturation of freedom and social justice, in the developed world just as much as in the developing world.

Divided States provides a nuanced understanding of some of the most important and impacting issues in EU-Russia relations, and is essential reading for anyone interested in the complex mechanisms that drive political and economic activity in Europe and the European periphery. The original and thought-provoking chapters, by experts in their fields, apply cutting-edge theoretical constructs such as hybridity theory, a hierarchical understanding of monetary relations, and an examination of asymmetric political and economic partnerships, all of which address key questions and challenges in the field of EU-Russia relations. While the specific conclusions expressed are as diverse as the issues analyzed, the findings point to a reality of regression in spite of progression in critical spheres regarding state and non-state actors, dynamics driving mutual exclusion instead of inclusion, and budding skepticism regarding nationalist values, social identities, and ideological sentiments.

Despite decades spent confronting human rights violations around the world, particularly in regions of instability, the issue remains one of the most divisive, chaotic, and challenging to address. Development and the Politics of Human Rights takes a much-needed holistic approach. It unpacks the questions of human advocacy and policy, identifies traps in discussions about violations of rights, and presents best practices for a variety of disciplinary approaches by engaging several situational, professional, and regional perspectives. The contributions in this book represent the seeds of a growing culture of resistance against those who persecute the ideas and practices of freedom and enlightenment. It explores questions such as whether there are universal parameters for human rights across geopolitical contexts, how conflicts and crises affect issues relevant to human rights, and what the best practices are for sustaining these rights and for identifying accountability in their protection. The book gradually narrows its focus from global to local concerns, beginning with a structural examination of international governmental institutions, followed by analyses of the operational dynamics within various states and localities. It presents specific contexts for analyzing unique challenges to the establishment, maintenance, and strengthening of human rights. It also paints portraits of how abandoning the struggle for recognizing, protecting, and upholding human rights would impact the future of free and open societies. A thoughtful and proactive approach to the problem of continued violations of human rights, Development and the Politics of Human Rights gives a sense of imperative to act toward the development of a more cooperative network of communities. It advocates continuously improving interaction between organizations and individuals in professional and academic spheres toward shaping a world in which human rights can flourish.