Originally published in 1993, this book opens a new and major line of interpretation, showing that Georg Simmel is the essential sociologist of the postmodern age. The authors trace the important contributions that Simmel's writings can make to current studies of intellectual ethics, textual methodology, sociological theory, philosophy of history and cultural theory

Originally published in 1993, this book opens a new and major line of interpretation, showing that Georg Simmel is the essential sociologist of the postmodern age. The authors trace the important contributions that Simmel's writings can make to current studies of intellectual ethics, textual methodology, sociological theory, philosophy of history and cultural theory

The Democracy Advantage provides an empirically-grounded analysis of the consistently positive development track record of poor countries with democratic governments versus those with more oppressive political systems. Building on the democratic peace literature, Halperin, Siegle, and Weinstein connect the dots of how democracy and development contribute to lower levels of intrastate conflict and popular support for extremist ideologies. This analysis provides a foundation for a series of policy recommendations for how democracy can become a more central feature of US and international engagement in the developing world. The Democracy Advantage is an evenly argued liberal internationalist justification for making democracy a central feature of US foreign policy.

'This valuable and timely volume obliterates the myth beloved of dictators that democracy is somehow the enemy of development rather than an essential ally. Here is a treasury of evidence that freedom is not only right - it works.' - Madeline Albright, former US Secretary of State For decades, policies pursued by the US and other industrialized nations towards the developing world have been based on a dirty little secret among policy experts: democracy and development don't mix. Turning this long-held view on its head, The Democracy Advantage makes a bold case that they do. In this timely, penetrating analysis, the authors of this path-breaking book explode the conventional wisdom that democratic reforms are destabilizing and that the U.S. must first promote development - often relying on authoritarian regimes - in order to create a middle class that will support democracy.

The Robin Hood Foundation is a charitable organization focused on alleviating problems caused by poverty in New York City. Michael M. Weinstein is the Foundation's senior vice president, and Ralph M. Bradburd was a long-time consultant. Together, they worked to develop a metric-based approach called relentless monetization, which made sure the money they took in and granted out was used effectively and resulted in long-term change. In this book, Weinstein and Bradburd describe their method, explaining how to measure, track, and present a project so as to realize its full potential. They share examples from the Foundation's own experience with relentless monetization, opening the books on the obscure dynamics of a large grant-giving organization. The authors also show other nonprofit organizations how to implement their approach within their own fundraising and grant-giving strategies, and they discuss the best way to guarantee success in a variety of philanthropic endeavors.Drawing on their vast knowledge, the authors devote specific chapters to the difference between beneficial and detrimental philanthropic practices and their outcomes and provide targeted advice for funding smart nonprofit programs.

From the streets of Seattle to corporate boardrooms to new factories in third-world nations, globalization is subject to very different and often explosively divergent interpretations. Where some see globalization as driving poor countries into further poverty, others see it as the path to economic salvation and democratic rule. With original contributions from ten eminent economists, "Globalization: What's New" cuts through the confusion and rhetoric to offer straightforward, incisive analysis of globalization and its future.

Coming from some of globalization's most prominent supporters (David Dollar), its most vocal critics (Joseph Stiglitz), and those in-between, this collection presents diverse and original perspectives on globalization's immense reach that dig to the core of many debates. The contributors analyze recent trends in trade, immigration, and capital flows; why some poor countries have grown while others have stagnated during the past two decades; future opportunities for low-wage workers; globalization's impact on jobs and wages in poor countries and in the United States; the surprising environmental benefits of globalization; the degree to which foreign aid helps developing countries; the failures of international institutions in governing the global economy and supporting democracy; and how foreign loans and investments can wreak havoc on a nation's economy.

This early work on gemmology is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. It contains a comprehensive account of the varieties of precious and semi-precious stones and their characteristics. This is a fascinating work and highly recommended for anyone interested in the subject of gemmology. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.