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Preparing for a Sustainable Future (Approaches to Global Sustainability, Markets, and Governance)
by David Crowther Shahla SeifiThe term sustainability has become one of the most significant in the current era. It seems to be ubiquitous amongst academics, politicians, business leaders, media personnel and even the general public. It is no exaggeration to state that it is considered all over the world to be the most pressing issue to be addressed for the long-term future of the planet and its inhabitants. The topic is of course complex, and the issue of sustainability is under much debate as to what it actually is and how it can be achieved, but it is completely certain that the resources of the planet are fixed in quantity and, once used, cannot be reused except through being reused in one form or another. At present, much of the discourse of sustainability has focused upon the environment and in particular upon climate change and the effects that this is having. Thus, the discourse has tended to be about mitigation.Sustainability of course requires all three pillars of the triple bottom line—economic, environmental and social—to be addressed. Indeed, it might be considered that the effects upon the social, and how we choose to live our lives, might well be the most profound effect of achieving sustainability. This book therefore focuses upon some of the many aspects of the social and how we can adapt our lives to accommodate the requirements of sustainability. it therefore takes a very different approach to addressing the issues of sustainability, while of course not ignoring the other pillars.This book therefore sets out to examine various aspects of the changes to personal, corporate and institutional behaviour which may have to come about in our search for sustainability. It is tended to address some of the issues and how they are being dealt with in various parts of the world. As always, our concept is to share best practice and thereby enrich both the discourse and our progress towards sustainability. Thus, we focus upon the current situation while also considering the extent to which the focus is changing so much that we need to think about new approaches to our understanding of behaviour and differing effects in practice. The international origins of the contributors to this book make this an original contribution taking some of the best ideas from around the world.This book therefore addresses these issues from a perspective not generally addressed by researchers, or even by politicians and the press. It therefore provides fresh perspectives upon the important issue of our common future. As always, this approach is based on the tradition of the Social Responsibility Research Network srrnet.org (a worldwide body of scholars with membership of several thousand), which in its 20-year history has sought to broaden the discourse and to treat all research as inter-related and relevant to business. This tradition has always been to explore the subject widely and to seek relevant solutions, while also sharing best practice. This book is based primarily upon some of the contributions from the network at our recent conference and shows both commonality and diversity in approaches and effects.
Alternative Media and Taiwan’s Socio-Political Transformation, 1970s–1990s
by Junhao Hong Cheng-Nan HouThis book systematically and comprehensively studies on alternative media in Taiwan, using a historical approach and primary data and first hand collected materials to examine how political openness and social movement in the 1980s through the 1990s in Taiwan enabled the rapid growth and wide development of Taiwan’s alternative media, what impact the alternative media in Taiwan had on its socio-political transformation, and what implications Taiwan’s case of alternative media has for other societies, especially for other Asian societies. This book would be a good reading for intellectuals, media professionals, government analysts, and the general public as well, who are interested in this topic.
Governance in the Developing World: Transnational Insights on Economic Development
by Mohamed Sami Ben Ali Sami Ben MimThis book assesses the extent to which good governance may contribute to enhancing economic performance and social welfare in developing countries, globally. Governance has been pointed out as one of the major weaknesses of developing economies and may largely be attributed to weak governance practices at both the macro- and micro-level. This book highlights the channels through which governance may act on various economic sectors and different key economic variables. In doing so, it enables policymakers to identify and implement policies and procedures to promote good governance. This book provides a transnational perspective on good governance in considering developing countries in Asia, Africa and beyond, presenting respective case studies in single country settings, enabling a comparative perspective between and across all chapters. Covering topics that include the intersection between governance and gender, inequality, poverty, education and health, the book provides diverse theoretical and empirical evidence on important issues facing policymakers, investors and other stakeholders and is relevant to graduate students and researchers interest in policy issues in the developing world.
Covid-19 Pandemic: Problems Arising in Health and Social Policy
by Christian AspalterThis book presents an overview of social problems and health problems that arose out of, or were flared up by, the global COVID-19 pandemic. It addresses most vital problems in developed and developing countries from literally around the world, by top country experts in their respective fields of study. The book debates first certain overall thematic topics and then analyzes a number of key country case studies. Apart from a set of key theme/problem-based chapters, the country case studies from major-hit countries in the world are yet another highlight of the book. They also feature, in addition to analyzing the pandemic and policy responses per se, one extra special focal point each. The book hence covers the core of most severe social problems, including health problems, that have been spurred or set off by the COVID-19 pandemic. An overall theory chapter that uses a global data analysis and a short theoretical appraisal on the 'human face' of the Pandemic is also offered at the beginning of book, to bring back humanity and human decency (i.e. decency of the human condition) into the scientific debate as well as policy making arena, which is utterly needed at this point of human development.
Research on Community-Centered Poverty-Alleviation Social Work (Poverty-Alleviation and Social Work in China)
by Jun Wen Yuefei WuThis book starts with detailed community-based poverty-alleviation cases and focuses on several important aspects in this field to demonstrate the intervention methods, theoretical paradigms, and intervention models of poverty-alleviation social work. Based on the introduction to the characteristics, theoretical foundation, and practical model of community-based poverty-alleviation social work, this book elaborates the specific operation processes from the perspectives of community intervention, community empowerment, and community construction. Its chapters are arranged in a progressive order yet can also be understood separately. Moreover, not only are the characteristics of community-based anti-poverty social work highlighted in the book, but the essentials of all kinds of related social work in the fight against poverty are reflected. As the first professional book in China that systematically describes the theory and practice of community-based anti-poverty social work, it is especially suitable for social workers, poverty-alleviation workers, community workers, and readers interested in related topics.
Bangladesh-Japan Partnership: The Next Development Journey
by Fahmida Khatun Syed Yusuf Saadat Kashfia Ashraf Afrin MahbubThis book analyses the trade relationship between Bangladesh and Japan, including foreign investments and foreign aid by Japan to Bangladesh. It emphasises how Japan may support Bangladesh in its next development journey during the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and after Bangladesh’s Least Developed Country (LDC) graduation. This is the first book to present a comprehensive evaluation of Bangladesh's economic relationship with Japan, including how it has evolved over the preceding fifty years and its possibilities and implications for the future.The book draws attention to the importance of increased economic diversification for Bangladesh in terms of skill and productivity with the increasing need to accelerate technological adoption from Japan to be on par with international competition following Bangladesh’s LDC graduation. It presents a thorough examination of Bangladesh's prospects to access the Japanese market, as well as Japan's assistance in the development of human capital and infrastructure in Bangladesh. It also discusses how Bangladesh might both attract additional foreign direct investment (FDI) from Japan and improve its technical skills by utilising expertise obtained through Japanese investments.This new study will inform policy discourse, influence relevant policies, and inspire future research on these key issues.
Corporate Social Responsibility in Difficult Times (Approaches to Global Sustainability, Markets, and Governance)
by David Crowther Shahla SeifiIt has been fairly traumatic for everyone and every organization over the last couple of years as we have had to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. It has certainly been a shock to the economic system of the world from which many are still recovering. Equally it has affected social systems and the environment, the effects of which are still being felt and will be felt for some time to come. In addition, there has been a fairly general economic crisis around the world as people struggle and adapt to the new environment. Certainly, there have been and will be changes which are likely to become permanent. While recovering from one crisis however another is becoming more significant as climate change and its effects start to become ever more apparent. So, it seems inevitable that difficult times will continue into the future. This book therefore sets out to examine aspects of the changes to corporate and institutional behaviour which have come about by the difficult times of needing to deal with past and future crises. The international origins of the contributors to this volume make this very original, taking some of the best ideas from around the world. This approach is based on the tradition of the Social Responsibility Research Network (SRRNet.org), which in its 20-year history has sought to broaden the discourse and to treat all research as inter-related and relevant to business. This tradition has always been to explore the subject widely and to seek relevant solutions, while also sharing best practice.
State-of-the-Art Indonesia Energy Transition: Empirical Analysis of Energy Programs Acceptance
by Dinita SetyawatiThis book discusses how people can come together to address current energy justice and access poverty problems by examining the relationship between energy systems and society in diverse energy sources. The novelty of this book is that this is the only complete guide for readers who wish to understand the status of Indonesia’s energy transition and renewable energy development. Energy programs that are explored are the ones prioritized by government administrations, including coal, nuclear power, solar energy, green electricity, and geothermal energy. Based on extensive fieldwork and empirical data, the book combines insights from historical data on energy subsidies and economic diversification, current empirical data on social acceptance of new energy technologies, and contemporary studies that forecast the implications of the transition to the coal industry and fossil fuel subsidies. It asks how Indonesia has enacted policies that support energy transition. How do the public and civil society view those policies? What are the implications for broader themes and discussions on energy sources, technology, systems, policies, and service? Strategies are suggested to advance a sustainable transition in the developing world that will mitigate developmental risks associated with the transition away from fossil fuels while encouraging decision making in a sustainable and socially just manner. This book is an informative and engaging read for a general audience as well as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and students in environmental and energy studies.
Understanding Sustainability with Pedagogical Practice: A Contribution from Geography Education (Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences)
by Osvaldo Muñiz Solari Gabriele SchrüferThis book shares with an international audience of teachers, scholars, and policymakers the experience of pedagogical practices to facilitate sustainability in the world. Sustainability is seen here as a journey toward the end state of sustainable development. Therefore, the authors contribute different roads to engage teachers and students with pedagogical discourse. Overall, the book demonstrates the value of powerful knowledge through action-oriented learning based on a bottom-up process. Consequently, pedagogical practices are understood as the instructional approaches based on a social constructivist model in which active learning is performed with student-to-student engagement. Secondary teachers in social sciences and university professors in geography find the study to be a valuable source of stimulation for incorporating new ideas and resolving common problems in their learning and teaching environments. Education policymakers around the world also benefit from the only publication that presents international perspectives on geographical knowledge related to sustainability.The contributing authors are experienced scientists in the field of geography education who are giving special attention to pedagogical practices that promote new directions toward sustainable thinking.This book is the first outcome of an international collaboration officially established in 2023 between the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Texas State University and the Department of Geography at the University of Bayreuth.
Sustainable Urban Transitions: Research, Policy and Practice (Urban Sustainability)
by Zaheer AllamThis book aims to explore how sustainability transitions can be explored in current and future cities and how research and policy approaches can be applied to change urban life as we know it, hence aligning the two thematic of urban science and future science, for achieving deep decarbonization. On this, the discourse on philosophy, ethics, and morality appertaining to sustainable cities and urban transitions, across disciplines, are also welcomed as it provides a deeper understanding of humanity in future scenarios. Chapter 08 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.
Monopoly Control: Government Ownership and Control of Network Utility Industries in Australia from 1788 to 1988
by Malcolm Abbott Bruce CohenThis book traces the historical development of the network utilities sector in Australia (communications, rail, gas, electricity, water supply, and sewerage services). It looks across industries, time periods and the state and federal jurisdictions, to identify what motivated the various governments to establish these enterprises and what issues arose. The book is therefore informed by the relationship between politics and society on the one hand and economic history on the other; as well as the efforts of governments in Australia to promote economic growth and the wealth of Australians. The main focus of the book is to identify and analyse the following two main questions: (i) What were the main drivers and motivations for governments establishing government-owned business in the network utilities sector? (ii) To what degree were these government-owned businesses successful at achieving the aims of these governments? In doing so the inherent characteristics of these industries are identified, in terms of their need for rights of way, network effects, the monopoly characteristics, and the potential for stimulating growth.
A Transition to Sustainable Housing: Progress and Prospects for a Low Carbon Housing Future
by Trivess Moore Andréanne DoyonThis open access book explores the environmental, social, and financial challenges of housing provision, and the urgent need for a sustainable housing transition. The authors explore how market failures have impacted the scaling up of sustainable housing and the various policy attempts to address this. Going beyond an environmental focus, the book explores a range of housing-related challenges including social justice and equity issues. Sustainability transitions theory is presented as a framework to help facilitate a sustainable housing transition and a range of contemporary case studies are explored on issues including high performing housing, small housing, shared housing, neighbourhood-scale housing, circular housing, and innovative financing for housing. It is an important new resource that challenges policy makers, planners, housing construction industry stakeholders, and researchers to rethink what housing is, how we design and construct it, and how we can better integrate impacts on households to wider policy development.
Resilient Governance of Urban Redevelopment: State, Market and Communities in China Since 1990 (SpringerBriefs in Geography)
by Bin LiTo examine the origins, characteristics, and outcomes of resilient governance with Chinese characteristics, this open access book takes Guangzhou, a typical Chinese city from 1990 to 2015, as an example. Through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and the collection of secondary data, this book finds that (1) the institutional context can be described as an authoritarian land-oriented pro-growth regime; (2) there are three phases with different patterns of governance: the Primitive Market Phase (1990–1998), the Pure Government Phase (1998–2006) and the Multiple Players Phase (2006–2015); (3) redevelopment can serve as a model of resilient governance because it changes in time in a dynamic environment to maximise economic growth; (4) an authoritarian land-oriented pro-growth regime is the key to support such a resilient governance model. This is an open access book.
Effective Supply Mechanism and Path of Environmental Public Goods in China (Public Economy and Urban Governance in China)
by Jibo YangThis book, from the perspectives of the spatial and intergenerational externalities of environmental public goods, provides a comprehensive overview of the concepts and theories concerning environmental public goods supply and illustrates how to design the mechanism for promoting resident participation in effective environmental public goods supply under the guidance of the government. Noticeably, an intergenerational overlapping model for resident participation in environmental public goods supply has been created in the book, which generates new ideas for mitigating the long-standing forward intergenerational goods shortage. Moreover, this book uses happiness dataset to measure the feasibility of resident participation in environmental public goods supply and also makes a comparison between two supply models: Government Provide Model and Residents, Enterprises and Government Provide Model, so as to offer theoretically feasible suggestions.Not only is this book highly recommended for professionals in government units, universities, and research institutions that are engaged in environmental governance, but it can be used as a reference book for students of relevant majors in institutions of higher learning.
The Contemporary Construction of the Chinese Form of Marxist Literary Criticism
by Yamin HuThis is an open access book. This book is the first comprehensive and systematic study on the Chinese Marxist literary criticism as an independent theoretical form. It discusses and describes the theoretical features of the Chinese form of Marxist literary criticism by refining and re-interpreting the iconic key concepts of “people,” “nation,” “politics,” “praxis,” and the relationships between literature and high-tech, literature and capital. The value judgment of literary criticism has also been discussed at length, and insightful and valuable views have been provided. This book is a brilliant introduction and the ideal academic material for global readers to grasp the essence of Chinese Marxist literary thoughts.
Political Implications of China's Technocracy in the Reform Era
by Gang ChenThis book focuses on the evolution of technocracy in contemporary Chinese politics and its implications in China’s elite politics and policymaking. The rise of technocracy in contemporary Chinese politics is not only attributed to the meritocratic tradition based on civil service exams in ancient China but also tied to the current authoritarian political system that relies on the top-down cadre promotion approach instead of public elections. Leaders with technocratic backgrounds have brought changes to China’s political landscape since technocrats tend to solve governance issues using technical solutions in an industrialized society as compared to pure politicians and revolutionaries, who are inclined to resort to political, and sometimes populist, options. This book examines the specific tech areas from which top technocrats have been emerging in Chinese politics, which include military and aerospace industry, public health, engineering and science, economics and finance, as well as information technology. It is a unique research monograph based on research on China’s evolving technocracy and its political, economic and international implications that provides a detailed and thorough study of the country’s industrial policies being reshaped by these technocrats and their likelihood of joining the Chinese Communist Party’s top echelon in the next five to ten years.
Friendship Across the Seas: The US Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
by Naoyuki AgawaThis Open Access book describes the history of the relationship between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the heir to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), and the United States Navy (US Navy), with a focus on the individuals who helped build it. Former enemies who fought fiercely on the seas and in the air during the Pacific War, the two navies came to respect each other in action. Soon after the war, when the Cold War turned hot, they began to work together as allies, driven by their respective national interests. With the generous assistance of the US Navy, the JMSDF was established as its counterpart. Over the years, these two navies have gradually built strong ties. Individual officers and sailors on both sides overcame mixed feelings about their erstwhile foes to feel respect for and trust in each other. This was made possible by conducting countless joint exercises and operations at sea. US Navy leaders began to realize that this small maritime force, notwithstanding domestic political, constitutional, and legal limitations, does its job well, is reliable, and can be fully trusted. The JMSDF realized that, sharing common interests and values, there was no better navy in the Asia-Pacific region to ally with. Over seventy years of accumulated shared experiences have transformed this into perhaps the most successful navy-to-navy partnership in the world. The US-Japan maritime alliance today is anchored in this history. Numerous admirals, officers, and sailors of the two navies working together have greatly contributed to the stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region for the past seven decades. This book is intended for readers interested in the history of US-Japan relations and for naval officers and sailors from the US and other countries. It is the author’s sincere desire that they read this book and appreciate the longstanding cooperation between the JMSDF and the US Navy.
The Territory of Japan: Its History and Legal Basis
by Kentaro SeritaThis Open Access book carefully examines the legal and historical bases of the territory of Japan as a modern State from the Meiji period to 2002. A new preface summarizes key developments in the situation up through 2022.Japan’s current territory is stipulated by the Potsdam Declaration (1945) and the Treaty of Peace with Japan (1951); it includes the Northern Territories, the Senkaku Islands, and Takeshima. Japan has demanded the return of the Northern Territories, comprising the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan and Habomai, which are occupied by Russia. China has claimed sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands, which are validly controlled by Japan; Japan has claimed sovereignty over Takeshima, which is occupied by the Republic of Korea.This book analyzes the current status of these territorial topics, drawing on historical documents and international legal precedent, and it suggests peaceful methods to address them. In discussing territorial land, sea, and air space, this work touches upon postwar concepts defining modern international law and relevant rules on these subjects—exclusive economic zones (EEZs), continental shelves, and air defense identification zones (ADIZs)—found in international treaties, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and related domestic laws.
Greater Eurasia Partnership and Belt and Road Initiative: The Cooperation or Containment of Atlanticism in the International System
by Edmund Li ShengIn this book, Eurasia will be discussed in the context of the Greater Eurasian Partnership proposed by Russia, the “eastward” transformations spurred by Neo-Eurasianism and the Greater Eurasian Partnership, and cooperation with China through the BRI, while related countries of Atlanticism was used to described the U.S., Europe, and their allies. The Greater Eurasian Partnership proposed by Russia is an initiative with specific diplomatic considerations, economic development strategies, and geopolitical implications. The initiative represents an attempt by Russia to shift foreign policy thinking, which has traditionally focused on alignment with the U.S. and the West. The Greater Eurasian Partnership contains both short-term strategies to cope with Western pressure and long-term strategic goals for building a new international and regional order. What this portends for the future of Sino-Russian relations is of interest to geopoliticians, economists and journalists.
The Muslim Brotherhood in Kuwait: 1941–1991 (Contemporary Gulf Studies)
by Ali A. AlkandariThe Muslim Brotherhood (MB) is the most influential, organized, social, and political movement in Kuwait. With the succession in Kuwait, the role of the organisation become more interesting for people interested in Kuwait and Gulf domestic politics as well as those interested in the MB and Political Islam. This book traces the emergence and development of MB while considering the political and social development of Kuwait that led to its appeal. It explains the evolution of MB’s organisational structure and how it adapted itself during different periods in Kuwait’s history through the Social Movement Theory. It describes MB policies and strategies during challenging times. It traces the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the MB and focuses on its development and its mobilisation strategy. It is certainly one of the first focused studies on MB from its conception in 1941 up to 1991.
How China is Transforming Brazil
by Mariana Hase Ueta Mathias Alencastro Rosana Pinheiro-MachadoThis book sets out to explore the new role of China in Brazilian politics and geopolitics. As China has become Brazil's biggest trade partner, Brazil's political economy has been transformed in subterranean ways, and China's role in the global economy has become a hot topic in Brazilian politics. By bringing into light a new generation of Brazilian scholars, this book seeks to consolidate the scholarship developed in the last decade and promote a new approach to Brazil-China relations, written from the perspective of the global south.
An Ineluctable Political Destiny: Communism, Reform, Marketization, and Corruption in Post-Mao China
by Forest C. SunThis book offers comprehensive review and analysis of official corruption in post-Mao China, arguing that this complex political and social malaise is the consequence of a variety of contributing factors, which include political, social, traditional/cultural, or structural, institutional, governance or policy failures. This study distinguishes itself from the methodologies of other studies by classifying corruption into detailed categories and sub-categories, accompanied by abundant cases and examples of the irregularities and offences. Contents are organized into four categories – bureaucratic corruption, regulatory corruption, corruption in judiciary, and corruption characteristic of socialist reform China, and each category is further divided into detailed subcategories to pin down the patterns, actors, loci, as well as inducements of corruption originated from either political institutions, economic structures, or sociocultural norms. Given its comprehensiveness and in-depth of information and analysis, this book is a useful reference for those interested in political and government corruption in post-Mao China.
CHINA and the Catholic Church: Through Mutual Eyes (Christianity in Modern China)
by Sergio TicozziThe volume approaches the relations between China and the Catholic Church in a quite comprehensive and unprejudiced way. Its approach is new since it clarifies the root of the persistent antagonism of both the imperial and republican Chinese Authorities toward the Catholic Church: no matter how the Catholic approach has been, they kept their Sino-centric attitude. It also points out the lack of a truly objective and complete understanding of China by the Western society, including Catholic missionaries: from a blind admiration to a negative evaluation, determined by contingent circumstances and motivations. It tries to clarify myths and stereotyped understandings, that have been created during the historical process, including the role of the Jesuits and in particular of Fr. Matteo Ricci. It also pays particular attention to the role of the Vatican in the recent religious policy of Chinese Government. The reading of the book could be enlightening especially for academics, university students and Christian clergy interested in the history of Catholic Missions in China.
The Constitution of Western Australia: An Exploration
by Alan Fenna Sarah MurrayThis book provides the first comprehensive introduction to, and enquiry into, the rules of Western Australia’s (WA) system of government. The WA Constitution is not well known or understood ― or even easy to identify ― and this book provides an essential guide. It brings academic expertise and careful scholarship to the exploration of sometimes complex constitutional issues in a way that will be invaluable for those with specialist interest in constitutional law and government while also being engaging and accessible for a wider audience. In doing so, it combines authorial expertise from constitutional law and political science — something essential to a well-rounded understanding of the simultaneously legal and political nature of a Constitution.
China, Taiwan, the UK and the CPTPP: Global Partnership or Regional Stand-off? (Taiwan and World Affairs)
by Chun-Yi Lee Michael ReillyOriginally called the Trans-Pacific Partnership until the USA withdrew in 2017, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is an ambitious and wide-ranging free trade agreement between eleven Pacific countries. Far from faltering after US withdrawal, several more countries have since applied to join, including China, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Some observers see in this a contest between China and the USA for wider influence through an attempt to control or re-write the rules of international trade; at a minimum accession by any of the three would have a major impact on the CPTPP as originally envisaged. This edited volume considers the three applications, the motivations for the three to join, and the likely responses of existing members. The implications for cross-Strait tension between China and Taiwan are fully considered, as is the ability or willingness of the USA to influence the outcome of the applications.