Forging Democracy from Below

Forging Democracy from Below
Author: Elisabeth Jean Wood
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 276
Release: 2000-10-30
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780521788878

This book, first published in 2000, analyzes the role of economically marginalized people in recent transitions to democratic rule.

The Global Resurgence of Democracy

The Global Resurgence of Democracy
Author: Larry Diamond
Publisher:
Total Pages: 440
Release: 1996-07-30
Genre: Political Science
ISBN:

This edition covers a wide range of conceptual, historical, institutional, and policy issues. Topics addressed include the question of civil society, and the problems confronting democratic governments and movements in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the post-communist countries.

Symbol and Ritual in the New Spain

Symbol and Ritual in the New Spain
Author: Laura Desfor Edles
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 224
Release: 1998-04-16
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780521628853

This is a book about the role of culture in social change and the Spanish transition to democracy after Franco. Laura Desfor Edles takes a distinctively culturalist approach to the 'strategy of consensus' deployed by the Spanish elite and uses systematic textual interpretation (with a particular focus on Spanish newspapers) to show how a new symbolic framework emerged in post-Franco Spain which enabled the resolution of specific events critical to the success of the transition. In addition to uncovering underlying processes of symbolization, she shows that politico-historical transitions can themselves be understood as ritual processes, involving as they do phases and symbols of separation, liminality and re-aggregation.

A Political Chronology of Africa

A Political Chronology of Africa
Author: David Lea
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 493
Release: 2001
Genre: History
ISBN: 1857431162

Provides an impartial record of the political events that have helped to shape social, cultural, geographical and economic history in the countries of Africa. Key features include: * Individual country profiles * The major political events that have shaped each country * Charts each country's political progress * Covers major events and developments from the early history of each nation to recent events * Greater emphasis is given to more comtemporary events, particularly in nations that have undergone major political upheaval in recent years * Details the elections, wars, disputes, diplomatic activities and changes to national borders by invasion, annexation and treaty that have had a major influence on history

Authoritarianism and the Elite Origins of Democracy

Authoritarianism and the Elite Origins of Democracy
Author: Michael Albertus
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 326
Release: 2018-01-25
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 110819642X

This book argues that - in terms of institutional design, the allocation of power and privilege, and the lived experiences of citizens - democracy often does not restart the political game after displacing authoritarianism. Democratic institutions are frequently designed by the outgoing authoritarian regime to shield incumbent elites from the rule of law and give them an unfair advantage over politics and the economy after democratization. Authoritarianism and the Elite Origins of Democracy systematically documents and analyzes the constitutional tools that outgoing authoritarian elites use to accomplish these ends, such as electoral system design, legislative appointments, federalism, legal immunities, constitutional tribunal design, and supermajority thresholds for change. The study provides wide-ranging evidence for these claims using data that spans the globe and dates from 1800 to the present. Albertus and Menaldo also conduct detailed case studies of Chile and Sweden. In doing so, they explain why some democracies successfully overhaul their elite-biased constitutions for more egalitarian social contracts.

Reflections on Empire

Reflections on Empire
Author: Antonio Negri
Publisher: Polity
Total Pages: 211
Release: 2008-07-08
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0745637051

This new book from Antonio Negri, one of the most influential political thinkers writing today, provides a concise and accessible introduction to the key ideas of his recent work. Giving the reader a sense of the wider context in which Negri has developed the ideas that have become so central to current debates, the book is made up of five lectures which address a series of topics that are dealt with in his world-famous books empire, globalization, multitude, sovereignty, democracy. Reflections on Empire will appeal to anyone interested in current debates about the ways in which the world is changing today, to the many people who are followers of Negri's work and to students and scholars in sociology, politics and cultural studies.

Forging Democracy from Below

Forging Democracy from Below
Author: Elisabeth Jean Wood
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 274
Release: 2000-11-06
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780521783231

The recent replacement of authoritarian rule by democracy in both South Africa and El Salvador poses a puzzle: why did the powerful, anti-democratic elites of these countries abandon death squads, apartheid, and the other tools of political repression and take a chance on democracy? Forging Democracy From Below shows how popular mobilization--in El Salvador an effective guerilla army supported by peasant collaboration and in South Africa a powerful alliance of labor unions and poor urban dwellers--forced the elite to the bargaining table, and why a durable settlement and democratic government were the result.

Intersectionality

Intersectionality
Author: Patricia Hill Collins
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2016-09-26
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0745684521

The concept of intersectionality has become a hot topic in academic and activist circles alike. But what exactly does it mean, and why has it emerged as such a vital lens through which to explore how social inequalities of race, class, gender, sexuality, age, ability and ethnicity shape one another? In this new book Patricia Hill Collins and Sirma Bilge provide a much-needed, introduction to the field of intersectional knowledge and praxis. They analyze the emergence, growth and contours of the concept and show how intersectional frameworks speak to topics as diverse as human rights, neoliberalism, identity politics, immigration, hip hop, global social protest, diversity, digital media, Black feminism in Brazil, violence and World Cup soccer. Accessibly written and drawing on a plethora of lively examples to illustrate its arguments, the book highlights intersectionality's potential for understanding inequality and bringing about social justice oriented change. Intersectionality will be an invaluable resource for anyone grappling with the main ideas, debates and new directions in this field.

Globalization from Below

Globalization from Below
Author: Jeremy Brecher
Publisher: South End Press
Total Pages: 206
Release: 2000
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780896086227

Brecher, Costello, and Smith chart out a dynamic and innovative strategy for building the movement to challenge unchecked coporate globalization.