Handbook of Civil Society and Social Movements in Small States depicts the way civil society encompasses social movements, which are considered to be loosely organized collective campaigns in pursuit of social goals. These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, however, some authors argue that social movements tend to engage in 'contentious politics' including protests, while NGOs engage through more organized and institutional routes. The volume deals with particular characteristics of small states, including limited ability to reap the benefits of economies of scale, high degree of exposure to forces outside their control, and the proximity of politicians to the voters, often leading to clientelistic relationships and patronage networks. The small island developing states have the additional problem of high environmental vulnerability, with some also dealing with disproportionate ecological footprints. These factors have a bearing on the organization and performance of civil society organizations and social movements, as explained in several chapters of this book.

This book grounds the education of women and girls in the realities of their lives and experience in diverse areas of the developing world. Moving beyond the previous emphasis on access to education to problematise its content and the way it is experienced, the case studies range from the Arakambut of Peru to the changing experience of racialised education in South Africa. The contributors take issue with the World Bank's view that the education of girls and women is important primarily as a cost-effective mechanism for making women more economically productive. Including an overview chapter on the impact of structural adjustment on education throughout Latin America and Africa, the book provides detailed information on Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Africa, Niger and Mauritius. It meets the urgent need to understand the education of women and girls in their economic, political and cultural contexts.