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Science as Salvation
by Mary MidgleyWhat is the role of scientists in society? What should we think when they talk about more than just science? Mary Midgley discusses the high spiritual ambitions which tend to gather around the notion of science.
Popular Politics in Nineteenth Century England
by Rohan McWilliamPopular Politics in Nineteenth Century England provides an accessible introduction to the culture of English popular politics between 1815 and 1900, the period from Luddism to the New Liberalism. This is an area that has attracted great historical interest and has undergone fundamental revision in the last two decades. Did the industrial revolution create the working class movement or was liberalism (which transcended class divisions) the key mode of political argument? Rohan McWilliam brings this central debate up to date for students of Nineteenth Century British History. He assesses popular ideology in relation to the state, the nation, gender and the nature of party formation, and reveals a much richer social history emerging in the light of recent historiographical developments.
Opening Japan's Financial Markets
by J. Robert Brown Jr.It is widely asserted, outside Japan, that the failure of foreign banks to penetrate Japanese financial markets is the direct result of stringent Japanese protectionist policies. However, although there may be some truth in this, it is a one-dimensional argument. Opening Japan's Financial Markets takes a broader view. It accepts that the Japanese bureaucracy have skillfully limited the scope of foreign banks. However, in examining the history of foreign banking activity in Japan, it becomes clear that ineptitude on the part of foreign banks and governments has also been a major factor.
Theories of Play and Postmodern Fiction
by Brian EdwardsDrawing on developments in critical theory and postmodernist fiction, this study makes an important contribution to the appreciation of playforms in language, texts, and cultural practices. Tracing trajectories in theories of play and game, and with particular attention to the writings of Nietzsche, Wittgenstein, Bakhtin, and Derrida, the author argues that the concept of play provides perspectives on language and communication processes useful both for analysis of literary texts and also for understanding the interactive nature of constructions of knowledge.
Women, Power and Politics in 21st Century Iran
by Tara PoveyThis book examines the women's movement in Iran and its role in contesting gender relations since the 1979 revolution. Looking at examples from politics, law, employment, environment, media and religion and the struggle for democracy, this book demonstrates how material conditions have important social and political consequences for the lives of women in Iran and exposes the need to challenge the dominant theoretical perspectives on gender and Islam. A truly fascinating insider's look at the experiences of Iranian women as academics, political and civil society activists, this book counters the often inaccurate and misleading stereotyping of Iranian women to present a vibrant and diverse picture of these women's lives. A welcome and unique addition to the vibrant and growing literature on women, Islam, development, democracy and feminisms.
A Dictionary of French Connectors
by James GrieveConnecting words and phrases are essential for discussion, clarity and fluency in any language. French is particularly reliant on connecting language: also and in fact have around 15 equivalent words and expressions in French. This is the first French-English dictionary to focus on this fascinating and crucial part of the language. The dictionary presents nearly 200 full entries in alphabetical order, including: de plus; et ce; or; c'est dire que; en fait; au total; voila. Entries define, discuss and exemplify the whole range of connecting language in French. 2000 examples add further clarity and are chosen from a wide range of registers and mainly contemporary prose.
Women, Migration and Citizenship
by Alexandra DobrowolskyGiven the recent and rapid changes to migration patterns and citizenship processes, this volume provides a timely, compelling, empirical and theoretical study of the gendered implications of such developments. More specifically, it draws out the multiple connections between migration and citizenship concerns and practices for women. The collection features original research that examines women's diverse im/migrant and refugee experiences and exposes how gender ideologies and practices organize migrant citizenship, in its various dimensions, at the local, national and transnational levels. The volume contributes to theoretical debates on gender, migration and citizenship and provides new insights into their interrelation. It includes rich case studies that range from the Philippines and Somalia to the Caribbean and from Australasia to Canada and Britain. Designed to have a multidisciplinary appeal, it is suitable for courses on migration, diversity, gender, race, ethnicity, law and public policy, comparative politics and international relations.
Italian/English Business Correspondence
by Vincent Edwards and Gianfranca Gessa ShepheardItalian/English Business Correspondence is a handy reference and learning text for all who use written Italian. 80 written communications are simply presented covering memos, letters, faxes and resumes. The situations covered include:*Arranging meetings*Acknowledging orders*Enquiring about products*Applying for jobsWith full English translations, this text is suitable for both students and professionals and can be used for either reference or class use.
Free Speech
by Alan HaworthFree Speech is a philosophical treatment of a topic which is of immense importance to all of us.Writing with great clarity, wit, and genuine concern, Alan Haworth situates the main arguments for free speech by tracing their relationship to contemporary debates in politics and political philosophy, and their historical roots to earlier controversies over religious toleration.Free Speech will appeal to anyone with an interest in philosophy, politics and current affairs.
Economic Development in Twentieth-Century East Asia
by Aiko IkeoThis collection supplies fascinating insights into aspects of East Asian economic development. It will interest scholars in a variety of related fields and provoke further research and debate.
Whitewash
by John GabrielBy putting the language used in television, the radio, the internet and press, as well as that spoken by key leaders, under the spotlight, what is ultimately revealed is the existence of a 'white' language, both coded and overt. Taking specific examples and presenting new factual evidence, John Gabriel studies the racial politics that lie behind much of the communication in the public arena. Case studies draw on contemporary political controversies and are used to explore the relationship between racialised forms of media discourse and political and economic change.
Knowing Victims
by Rebecca StringerKnowing Victims explores the theme of victimhood in contemporary feminism and politics. It focuses on popular and scholarly constructions of feminism as ‘victim feminism’ – an ideology of passive victimhood that denies women’s agency – and provides the first comprehensive analysis of the debate about this ideology which has unfolded among feminists since the 1980s. The book critically examines a movement away from the language of victimhood across a wide array of discourses, and the neoliberal replacement of the concept of structural oppression with the concept of personal responsibility. In derogating the notion of ‘victim,’ neoliberalism promotes a conception of victimization as subjective rather than social, a state of mind, rather than a worldly situation. Drawing upon Nietzsche, Lyotard, rape crisis feminism and feminist philosophy, Stringer situates feminist politicizations of rape, interpersonal violence, economic inequality and welfare reform as key sites of resistance to the victim-blaming logic of neoliberalism. She suggests that although recent feminist critiques of ‘victim feminism’ have critically diagnosed the anti-victim movement, they have not positively defended victim politics. Stringer argues that a conception of the victim as an agentic bearer of knowledge, and an understanding of resentment as a generative force for social change, provides a potent counter to the negative construction of victimhood characteristic of the neoliberal era. This accessible and insightful analysis of feminism, neoliberalism and the social construction of victimhood will be of great interest to researchers and students in the disciplines of gender and women’s studies, psychology, sociology, politics and philosophy.
Worlding Women
by Jan Jindy PettmanIn Worlding Women Jan Jindy Pettman asks 'Where are the women in international relations'? She develops a broad picture of women in colonial and post-colonial relations; racialized, ethnic and national identity conflicts; in wars, liberation movements and peace movements; and in the international political economy.Bringing contemporary feminist theory together with women's experiences of the `international', Pettman shows how mainstream international relations is based on certain constructions of masculinity and femininity. Her ground-breaking analysis has implications for feminist politics as well as for the study of international relations.
Political Economy of Transition
by Jozef M. van BrabantThis book addresses the policy questions surrounding the challenge of transforming eastern European economies from their planned, administrative past to vibrant market-based entities. Jozef van Brabant considers in turn, the wider set of challenges facing these economies - stabilization, privatization, liberalization, institution building, and developing and maintaining the sociopolitical consensus - before examining the evolving role of the state. Using concrete examples from the eastern European countries throughout, including the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, this work systematically examines, in a society-wide context, the initial conditions of transformation, the policy tasks ahead and the manner in which policies have been pursued.
Wittgenstein, Politics and Human Rights
by Robin HoltDo human rights make sense? They have been central to post-war political life, and our picture of moral self. But this is being eroded, Holt argues, and with it the viability of human rights discourse. The pre-social individual and its mental armoury is being challenged by an increasing awareness of genealogical forces in which the self is less a lone claimant than an exponent or rebel.Using Wittgenstein's philosophy, this book considers the liberal position on human rights, along with the communitarian and pragmatic attacks, and challenges the intelligibility of each from the perspective of what it is to be a language user. Wittgenstein, Politics and Human Rights argues that moral relations are not dead; but that their life resides with the on-going relations of selves governed by universal principles.
Land and Limits
by Richard Cowell and Susan OwensIn a new and critical analysis, this book explores the impact of an influential idea - sustainable development - on the institutions and practices governing use of land. It examines the paradox that in spite of increasing attention to sustainability, land use conflict is as ubiquitous and intense as ever.
Institutional Barriers to Economic Development
by Jan WinieckiPoland's transition from socialism to capitalism has largely been praised as a success story. In reality, however, according to this study, Poland's case is an 'incomplete' transition. Looking at the processes involved in economic transition, covering key issues including financial markets, labour markets, competition and intervention, social security, property rights and attitudes towards the changing political economy, this book provides a wide-ranging and invaluable study of economic development. It will be of great use to economists, those involved in Russian and East European studies, and political scientists.
Strong Hermeneutics
by Nicholas H. SmithRecent years have seen a resurgence of interest in ethics, particularly in the approaches of deconstruction and hermeneutics. At the same time, questions of identity have risen to prominence in philosophy and beyond into cultural studies and literature. Strong Hermeneutics is a clear and accessible investigation of both the enlightenment and postmodern or 'weak' approaches to contemporary discussions of ethics. The weak view, which can be traced back to Nietzche and seen in the recent work of Rorty and Lyotard, is sceptical of any universal principles in ethics. The enlightenment view, starting with Kant and more recently seen in the work of Habermas, views identity as subject to universal but formal moral constraints, the renewing of which is the proper task of ethics. Nicholas Smith argues that neither of these views can provide a proper framework for ethics. He puts forward a third position - a strong hermeneutics - drawing on the work of Hans-Georg Gadamer, Paul Ricoeur and Charles Taylor. Strong Hermeneutics presents a defence of this view, compares it with the realism and anti-realism debate in philosophy, and demonstrates its relevance to contemporary issues, particularly ecological responsibility.
Understanding Development Economics
by Adam FfordeImportant parts of development practice, especially in key institutions such as the World Bank, are dominated by economists. In contrast, Development Studies is largely based upon multidisciplinary work in which anthropologists, human geographers, sociologists, and others play important roles. Hence, a tension has arisen between the claims made by Development Economics to be a scientific, measurable discipline prone to wide usage of mathematical modelling, and the more discursive, practice based approach favoured by Development Studies. The aim of this book is to show how the two disciplines have interacted, as well as how they differ. This is crucial in forming an understanding of development work, and to thinking about why policy recommendations can often lead to severe and continuing problems in developing countries. This book introduces Development Economics to those coming from two different but linked perspectives; economists and students of development who are not economists. In both explaining and critiquing Development Economics, the book is able to suggest the implications of these findings for Development Studies, and more broadly, for development policy and its outcomes.
Collective Imaginings
by Moira Gatens and Genevieve LloydWhy would the work of the 17th century philosopher Benedict de Spinoza concern us today? How can Spinoza shed any light on contemporary thought?In this intriguing book, Moira Gatens and Genevieve Lloyd show us that in spite of or rather because of Spinoza's apparent strangeness, his philosophy can be a rich resource for cultural self-understanding in the present.Collective Imaginings draws on recent re-assessments of the philosophy of Spinoza to develop new ways of conceptualising issues of freedom and difference. This ground-breaking study will be invaluable reading to anyone wishing to gain a fresh perspective on Spinoza's thought.
'Other Kinds of Dreams'
by Julia Sudbury'Other Kinds of Dreams' provides an invaluable insight into the political activity of black and Asian women in the UK both inside and outside the black and Asian communities. The book breaks new ground by: * destroying the misconception that black and Asian women lack political involvement * integrating gender into the study of black and Asian political participation in Britain* exploring the potential for alliances between black women and the new progressive 'black man's movement'* examining black women activists' perception and experiences of white feminism. 'Other Kinds of Dreams also questions the homogeneity of the term 'black' and asks whether increasing social stratification within black communities undermines this unity.
The Moral Self
by Pauline ChazanThe Moral Self addresses the question of how morality enters into our lives. Pauline Chazan draws upon psychology, r ral philosophy and literary interpretation to rebut the view that morality's role is to limit desire and control self-love. Perserving the ancients' connection between what is good for the self and what is morally good, Chazan argues that a certain kind of care for the self is central to moral agency. Her intriguing argument begins with a critical examination of the views of Hume, Rousseau and Hegel. The constructive part of the book takes a more unusual turn by synthesising the work on the analyst Heinz Kohut and Aristotle into Chazan's own positive account, which is then illustrated by the use of Russian literature.
Housing, Individuals and the State
by Peter KingCan the state solve housing problems or does it create them? This book explores the question by combining a detailed critique of contemporary housing policy with a philisophical analysis of the role of the state and individuals. Examining the state's role as controller and funder of housing, the author contends that the state is not capable of planning and controlling a sustainable housing policy.
Media Sport Stars
by Garry WhannelMedia Sport Stars considers how masculinity and male identity are represented through images of sport and sport stars. From the pre-radio era to today's specialist TV channels, newspaper supplements and websites, Whannel traces the growing cultural importance of sport and sportmen, showing how the very practices of sport are still bound up with the production of masculinities.Through a series of case studies of British and American sportsmen, Whannel traces the emergence of of the sporting 'hero' and 'star' , and considers the ways in which the lives of sport stars are narrated through the media. Focusing on figures like Muhammad Ali and David Beckham, whose fame has spread well beyond the world of sport, he shows how growing media coverage has helped produced a sporting system, and examines how modern celebrity addresses the issues of race and nation, performance and identity, morality and violence.From Babe Ruth to Mike Tyson, Media Sport Stars demonstrates that, in an era in which both morality and masculinity are percieved to be 'in crisis', sport holds a central place in contemporary culture, and sport stars become the focal point for discourses of masculinity and morality.
Walter Benjamin's Philosophy
by Peter Osborne and Andrew BenjaminThis collection explores, in Adorno's description, `philosophy directed against philosophy'. The essays cover all aspects of Benjamin's writings, from his early work in the philosophy of art and language, through to the concept of history. The experience of time and the destruction of false continuity are identified as the key themes in Benjamin's understanding of history.