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In this first-ever systematic study of the social, economic, and political development of the two Irelands since partition, a distinguished group of scholars have worked together to provide answers that are essential for any understanding of current political events. Some important areas of convergence are demonstrated, especially in fertility, but in other respects the two Irelands remain distinct. ... Read more

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In the mid-19th century, London was the world's largest city, and the first to confront the metropolitan problem of how to provide for its government.This book analyzes the politicians and forces that led to formation of the London County Council, providing a fascinating account of the economic, social, and administrative complexities of a burgeoning Victorian city. ... Read more

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This book explores the evolution of Irish constitutional nationalism from the fall of Parnell to the rise of Sinn Fein, when the two competing wings of conciliators and militants struggled bitterly for control of the movement. The author, stressing the grass roots dimensions of this rift, shows that while the advocates of conciliation took a peaceful path, striving to achieve a modus vivendi with the protestants who opposed home rule, the supporters of militancy stressed the need for vigilance and strict maintenance of the Catholic nationalist tradition. ... Read more

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According to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, adopted in 1993, local autonomy is one of the fundamental principles of the constitutional system. The Politics of Local Government in Russia aims to provide a dedicated and comprehensive discussion of the pursuit of local self-government in contemporary Russia where _local_ refers to the third tier of government, beyond federal and regional. Some of the ablest scholars in the field focus on the existing institutional and social climate for municipal and district level government in Russia while placing recent reforms in a comparative and historical perspective. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Chieftains, Part 1
I bought this book in Dublin back in 1972, but never got around to reading it till now.I say "reading" with a certain hesitancy because except for Chapter 3 which provide brief insights into actual life in Ireland in the period 400-800 A.D., IRELAND BEFORE THE VIKINGS is a compendium of the comings and goings and the rise and fall of numerous kinglets, princes, chiefs, and warriors, their geneology and their deaths in battle.As part of the much larger Gill History of Ireland, no doubt all this has an important part.For Irish people, it may be necessary reading to grasp more fully their country's long history.For those overseas, like me, the huge number of names----of people and places---is too overwhelming to be digested.While there are several maps, they don't provide a guide to rivers, just to take one category of names, and so we are left clueless.I would have to say that this is most certainly an insider's history or a history for experts.It may be, for all I know, a classic work on the political history of early Ireland.For expert readers, my comments will seem unfair, and I apologize, but for the average reader, this fare will prove far too rough going.You should search elsewhere.
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This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature. ... Read more

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The key turning point in modern Ireland's history, the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 has shadowed Ireland's political life for decades. In this first book-length assessment of the treaty in over seventy years, Jason Knirck recounts the compelling story of the nationalist politics that produced the Irish Revolution, the tortuous treaty negotiations, and the deep divisions within Sinn FZin that led to the slow unraveling of fragile party cohesion. Knirck's incisive analysis is complemented by a comprehensive collection of annotated primary sources that give readers the drama and flavor of this contentious battle and allow them to engage directly with the positions of key historical figures. ... Read more

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In a fascinating study of the links between Ireland and the British Monarchy, well-known writer and journalist Mary Kenny finds a fresh perspective on the relationship between Britain and Ireland. The relationships between royalty, past and present, are examined and illustrated in an absorbing, beautifully written account. Based on unique access to the Royal Archives in Windsor, and other historical material, as well as on personal memoir, Mary Kenny reveals some previously unappreciated aspects of the Crown and Shamrock, including Edward VII's exceptionally benign attitudes to Catholics, George V's obsessive worries about civil war between North and South, and how Ireland was constitutionally altered (and morally riven) by the Abdication Crisis of 1936. ... Read more

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Top experts discuss the gathering of intelligence by the Secret Services - a topic of vital current concern and importance.The gathering of intelligence by the Secret Services is now an issue of major importance in the modern world. It was on this basis that Bush and Blair decided to go to war, ensuring that arguments both for and against will go on beyond our own generation.What are the ethical responsibilities of the Secret Services? In order to gather intelligence anything is permissible except torture in this country - deception, blackmail, eavesdropping. But do the means justify the end? In the process individual privacy is sacrificed, as are human rights and we have extra judicial rendition.In our society the police decide what to do with intelligence but they are now also dealing with terrorism. But above all how have the actions of the US government in recent years affected the general perception of the gathering and use of intelligence by the Secret Services? All these matters raise profound questions for the nature and future of democracy. We live in a culture of fear but what has this done for what Popper called The Open Society?These are matters with which all intelligent people should be concerned and matters which are described and analysed brilliantly in this book. ... Read more