Product Description
Comprehensive and current, this market-leading text combines a survey of Texas government with coverage of public policy and relevant readings in each chapter. Fully updated coverage in the Thirteenth Edition includes: the Growth of Texas's Diverse Population, Party Primaries and the General Election in 2008, the regular session of the 80th legislature, New Laws Affecting Texas Government, Policy Changes for Education and the Environment, and the State Budget for Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Texas Politics
THe book was in excellent shape and great condition. I appreciate the fast delivery and would recommend this seller to anyone!!! Thank You!!

Great price
Saved myself $25buying through amazon than the campus bookstore same ISBN #.
The only thing was that the material was a little weak

Great Value!!
I received the book in a few days and it was worth the money I paid. Very excited that the book was in great condition and overall and very pleased :) ... Read more

Product Description
With its strong, engaging "politics are pertinent" theme and current, cutting-edge coverage, UNDERSTANDING POLITICS: IDEAS, INSTITUTIONS, AND ISSUES, is the proven best-selling text for the introduction to political science course. Thomas Magstadt fascinates students with his coverage of three fundamental premises: 1) politics is a pervasive force in modern society; 2) government is too important to be left in the hands of a few; and 3) in a democracy, everyone has both the opportunity and the obligation to participate in public life. The Ninth Edition focuses on such vital concepts as democracy, dictatorship, citizenship, voting behavior, elections, leadership, ideologies, war, revolution, world politics, and public policy--fundamental concepts that provide students with a view of politics and economics that is at once lucid, nuanced, and empowering. ... Read more

Product Description
There is a stark contradiction between the theory of universal human rights and the everyday practice of human wrongs. This timely volume brings together leading scholars to evaluate this paradox. The contributors ask whether human rights abuses are a result of the failure of governments to live up to a universal human rights standard, or whether the search for moral universals is a fundamentally flawed enterprise. The book evaluates the philosophical basis of human rights, and reflects on the structures that affect the development of a global human rights culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

In-depth, thought provoking, disturbing, stimulating
Premise and Review:
This book exposes the contradictory thoughts, politics, and practices of human rights.It explores philosophical and practical foundations of the universality of human rights and human wrongs.It explores who is responsible for the implementation of human rights and to what degree. The book examines the failures, the successes, the setbacks and the gains of various groups, not only governments, but NGO's, the media, grassroots efforts, and individuals. It looks at the gaps in interpretation and implementation of human rights.Different authors tackle the compliance gap from a different angle and propose a way to close it. From start to finish, the reader is taken on a tour of the theory and implementation of global human rights.

Why should you read this book?
The book is a compilation of essays around different aspects in Human Rights.If you are interested in getting a wide perspective and different, sometimes conflicting, ideas to think about in order to form a more better opinion of your own, this would be the book to read.The first half of the book looks at the Human Rights issue and if there is a way to define global human rights without prescribing human nature and eclipsing cultural diversity.Some articles are philosophical, some appealing to good politics, at least one opposed to the concept of universality, and others tugging at heartstrings,but all make impacting statements about their perspective.
The second half of the book looks at specific human wrongs and how norms can be implemented.Different subjects are tackled looking at historic development and/or current global politics from many levels.
The book provides an excellent background into the political actions, academic debates, and historical events in the subject of human rights.
If the reader has a keen interest in getting more scope and insight into this complex issue this is a highly recommended book and I recommend taking it slow and with a highlighter.Each writer specializes in presenting an in-depth analysis of one facet of the complex problem often interpreting historical and current political events and examining different arenas of influence.The editors did a superb job of making sure that a wide range of thought and approaches were included.

Why shouldn't you read this book?
The book isn't necessarily for the lay reader.Some authors assume the reader has prior familiarity and background with different historical events, such as Westphalia, or political philosophies, such as Locke.However, not knowing these should not impede the reader's understanding too greatly.It certainly doesn't require any cross-referencing or additional research to understand the text.Some of the writing is in difficult and abstract language.There are parts that seemed dry or long.This book is definitely not casual reading material but is more like a textbook on the subject.It isn't a book a person will stick with long if there isn't something driving them to read it, be it external or internal.The subject is huge and overwhelming and it is easy for even the most empowered and politically active individual to feel dwarfed by the magnitude of human wrongs and the struggle to define human rights.

good theory
good read. reveals epistmological groundings of human rights... ... Read more

Product Description
How has race determined the course of American history? From the Revolution to the New Deal, from the Civil War to the Second World War, race has been at the center of virtually every national turning point. In a brilliant book, Michael Goldfield doggedly documents the persistence of racism in the American nation through a penetrating assessment of racism in the labor movement. ... Read more

Product Description
A fresh and impressive text for the hybrid American Government and Texas Politics course, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY: TEXAS EDITION helps students experience the excitement that comes from active, informed citizenship including completely integrated and comprehensive Chapters on Texas Politics. The Schmidt text is renowned nationwide for its balanced, comprehensive, and up-to-date coverage of constitutional, governmental, political, social, and economic structures and processes and the Texas Chapters follow suit; providing a wide range of viewpoints as well as unique historical contexts to give students rich, nuanced insight into the political system and decision-making processes of the Lone Star State. Together, this integrated approach allows for focus on the similarities and differences in national and Texas politics and governance while using integrated pedagogy, including critical thinking and prescriptive encouragement for citizen action to underscore this approach. With keen awareness of its audience, AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY: TEXAS EDITION also incorporates current examples, the Internet, and other media to stimulate learning and excitement about American and Texas government. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Signed up late for school.
I signed up late for school, but still recieved this just in time. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

American Government and Politics Today-Texas edition,2007-2008
I was hoping for it for it to come ealier than thescheduled time, but anyway, it was a good condition book.

Govt book
Product as described..shipping was fairly quick..(about a week-w/o priority shipping).Will use again. Thanks

College Books
Though I am deployed, amazon.com made it possible for me to order my son's college books at a reasonable price. The books were in the condition described and delivered within the time promised.

Boring
I'm glad I only paid $3 for this book because it is one of the worse textbooks I've had the pleasure of being forced to read. I'm not even sure how I passed government (a B!), everytime I began a chapter my eyes glazed over.

I gave it two stars because I got such a great deal on it. ... Read more

Product Description

This brief, nuts-and-bolts introduction to American government has been a student favorite and a bestseller for over 30 years because of its lively, straight-forward approach to the basics, its brevity, and its always inexpensive price.

This text uses a dynamic game metaphor to engage students in the basics of the American political system and the contact sport of politics.  Beginning with a clear definition of politics, it introduces four governmental and four nongovernmental “players” who must abide by the “rules of the game” established by the Constitution and civil liberties.  It ends by examining rival theories of who wins and who loses in American politics.  Written to engage students, and kept short to provide a flexible foundation for instructors, The Basics of American Politics covers all the terms and topics a student will need to understand the nuts-and-bolts of American government and poltics.

Customer Reviews (6)

Great Introduction into American Politics
I write this review on the basis that it was a book required for an entry level government class at the university I am attending.

To start, I grew up in New Mexico. A lot of public school systems in this state do not require children to take any government classes. So growing up I had never taken an interest in politics. Before I began studying politics, I always assumed that there was no point in paying attention to any of it because it was all too complicated. Going in to this book, I had no previous knowledge of any form of politics. With that said, I can honestly say that this book remains true to its title which is "The Basics of American Politics." What this book aims at is just that, the basics. It gives a broad understanding into the American political system. It goes more in depth on certain subjects as to relating it to common affairs within our system.

Altogether, I enjoyed this book. I now have an understanding of how our country operates. To say that it is a big political system is an understatement. There are many fundamentals that underly a lot of what is mentioned in this book. If someone is looking for a book to read to give them a brief overview of our political system then I would say that this book is going to suit them perfectly. If however, one is looking to go more in depth on certain subjects within our political system, then I would say to look for a book that is published for information on that specific purpose.

Not what I was expecting
I was looking for a book that explained American politics in an informative, straight-forward manner. The Basics of American Politics spends more time trying to impose its liberal viewpoint on the reader than explaining the political system. Read the excerpt on Hurricane Katrina for an example.

Best Condition
This product was sent to me in great timing and in an almost brand new condition. I will easily buy another product from this buyer.

Easy read for a complex subject
Read it for a class and I liked it. I found it easy to get though.

Can't make comparison, don't own many political books
Book provides generalized information about important components of American government and politics.Within the text it occasionally has small blocks of text that add background information to the topic being discussed, and each chapter ends with a case study that involves the institution discussed in the chapter, tying it to a real-world situation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A History of ACT UP
Gould, Deborah B. "Moving Politics: Emotion and ACT UP's Fight Against AIDS", University of Chicago Press, 2009.

A History of ACT UP

Amos Lassen

"Moving Politics" is a history of ACT UP but it is also more than that by challenging our understanding of the book. The book gives us the emotional background and the dynamics and dimension of a great struggle--the struggle to save lives. The author, Deborah Gould, places activism during the AIDS crisis within the social climate of the time and gives us the relationship between emotion and reason.
This is, as far as I know, the only history of ACT UP and it was certainly one of the defining moments in gay history when activism became so very important. One is certainly aware of the amount of research that went into this book and the analyses of that research is first rate. Gould shows us that it was the movement that caused action but there were other emotions that went into the movement-fear, rage and ambivalence, indignation and shame as well as eroticism and attraction as well a great deal of despair.
The ACT UP movement began in the late 80's and this was a defiant and a demanding movement. By the early 90's ACT UP no longer existed but the AIDS epidemic continued on. Gould uses interviews and extensive research and opinions she gives us the story of the rise and fall of ACT UP and shows how emotion played a fundamental role in the style of protest. In fact the book also shows us what the role of emotion is in politics in general and how important it is.

... Read more

Product Description

Combining thematic and country approaches to show students what comparative politics is really about, The Good Society organizes itself around a key question—why are some countries better than others at improving their citizens’ lives? This brief survey offers a focused look at political institutions and uses in-depth country studies to compare how different institutional arrangements yield different political results. By concentrating on how politics affects citizens’ lives, The Good Society offers a uniquely relevant introduction to comparative politics that goes to the heart of the field and helps students develop a critical point-of-view.

Customer Reviews (2)

An instructor's review
I use this book as a required text in my course and found the first reviewer's experience interesting to read, from a student perspective that is. In my 15 years of university-level teaching at public universities in the Northeast I find that students in Intro to Comp Pol routinely hate just about every text I have ever tried, and yet my course receives excellent evaluations. So what gives? First, I agree with that reader that there are some proofreading errors in this text, one of which s/he identified and another in the map on the inside cover of the book where Niger and Mali are switched inexplicably (ouch!). That's almost unforgivable for a geography stickler like me. However, that said, human beings do make errors, so before the much needed 2nd edition comes out, are there any redeeming characteristics to this text?

What I like about it is that it doesn't try to cover 700+ pages of factual content about 14 or 15 country cases + theoretical chapters as do so many "leading" textbooks in this field (see for example Almond et al's Comp Politics Today-A World View). Been there, students also hated that. Instead it explains what scholars mean by the "capabilities approach" to measuring development, carefully building a theoretical basis for judging why some societies appear to perform better on certain indicators than others. It does a nice job of describing "types of capitalism" in a way that undergraduates with no previous experience reading Peter Hall or Esping-Andersen can understand. And it has some useful groupings of "regime types" for non-democratic societies as well. For me, students who read this book with care will come away with a nice general overview of how different countries may be grouped together as "types of..."; how we might set about actually measuring and quantifying different concepts of import (wealth, health, education, quality of life, etc); and learn just enough juicy details to make them curious about reading the case studies in greater depth in future classes in the subject. For me, that's about the most I hope to get from an Intro-level text that I teach to majors and non-majors alike.

Disappointing and badly written
I was assigned this text by a political science summer course, and find it obtuse, long-winded, and badly written. The authors take five or ten pages to explain concepts that could be easily outlined in far fewer pages. In addition, the text is rife with overuse of commas, spelling and grammar errors, and inconsistent capitalization (toward the end of the book, I was finding ridiculous errors, such as "He suggests there are reasons to believe China's will become a democracy," page 331. How anyone could have missed that extra apostrophe + "s" eludes me, forcing me to conclude that the book was never really proofread).

Apart from the lack of proofreading or editing, the book is irritatingly judgmental in terms of comparing societies. Though I understand perfectly well the idea of comparative politics and agree with the authors' definition of "a good society," I found it distracting and obnoxious to have to sort out the authors' own opinions from actual historical fact.

In short, educators: avoid this book. Surely there are far better (and better-written) texts to choose from. ... Read more

Product Description
This unique reader goes beyond the traditional concept of international relations as simply interactions between states. It instead addresses all the players in the current global political scene, from international companies and intergovernmental organizations to traditional states and terrorist organizations. Global Politics blends conceptual writings on international relations with current events coverage from journalistic sources. Case materials are drawn from all major geographic regions in order to emphasize the global nature of these issues in the post-Cold War period. Each chapter approaches the key topics first from a scholarly/theoretical view, then follows with readings presenting a news/current events context. The readings provide a stimulus for informed debate and discussion, and they encourage students to view daily events as part of a larger process of change. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Seller
The book was in the condition stated. It got here fast without any problems, and it was in good condition for a older book

Great book, quick delivery
The book came in the same condition as it was described, and was shipped very promptly. The price was very reasonable, including the base price of the book and the shipping cost. The book's condition started to worsen and the spine was breaking over time, but overall this was a great buy from a good seller. ... Read more

Product Description
This text delivers an introduction to the principles of politics and government, providing students with an understanding of the key concepts necessary for studying more specialized topics in poitical science. It provides coverage of contemporary, news-making issues, such as national security and terrorism, that are relevant to students' lives. ... Read more

Product Description

A little revolution now and again is a good thing. The scientific approach to international relations has transformed the field. And now, thanks to a revolutionary revision, Principles of International Politics offers a crisp and clear introduction to international relations from the strategic point of view.

Responding to user feedback and classroom testing, Principles has been completely recast so that the book is focused squarely on the central insights of the strategic perspective. Honing in on two key ideas winning coalitions and selectorate size the book delivers the fundamental lessons of the theory more easily than ever, giving readers even better access to the most powerful way of thinking about IR today.

Not only will readers find the text easier to follow, they'll also find the book shorter almost half the length of the previous edition. Streamlining places the take-away points front and center, and the basic tools of the model are delivered in clear step-by-step language, allowing beginning students to grasp the theory's powerful insights.

What hasn t changed: Bueno de Mesquita s commitment to covering the fundamentals of IR. You ll find a full examination of security problems, with special attention to theories of war, an exploration of the democratic peace, the problems of terrorism, military intervention, the role of foreign aid, democratization, international political economy, globalization, international organizations, alliances, and international law.

Helpful pedagogical features allow readers to master the principles, including: 

• chapter-opener overviews,
• bolded key terms, 
• Try This feature boxes, 
• a full glossary, and 
• appendixes (a survey of world history and a primer on the scientific method).
... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Boring as hell
I had to use this textbook for my world politics class and hardly learned anything. The book is incredible boring and just unnecessarily complicates things with vocabulary and mathematical models. Also the chapters are really lengthy, and its easy to lose focus on the subject at hand.

Book Review
This book uses terrible examples and does a very poor job of explaining concepts. The book throws tons of theories at readers however none ever take human nature into account. The book is dry and revolves around Mezquita's computer models and how he wants to predict future events. Very self-righteous and pretty biased. All in all a really bad text book.

Great Politics Book
Ignore the previous bad reviews for this textbook.It does a very good job of presenting the fundementals of International Politics and discussing the different schools of thought on the subject (this book is a believer in the "all politicians strive to keep themselves in power" theory, which is a contrast to other international political theories)

The book also covers all of the basic game theory over the first 10-12 chapters that you will need to know for most politics courses.

Principles
This is a marvellous book that moves beyond the loose metaphors that pass for theory in most of international relations.
I sincerely hope no one pays the slightest attention to the junk some people write in their reviews for Amazon. What a bunch of nit wits.
Fat Bob


poorly written and obvious
political leaders are motivated by their desire to stay in power?REALLY?wow, talk about obvious.and yet his book manages to explain the implications of this in the most convoluted, annoying way possible.he talks about terms he never defines, doesn't explain his math properly, and cites himself far more often than is necessary.this book is the only one that discusses issues in the abstract (so said my polisci prof), but it could still be written better. ... Read more

Product Description
The seventh edition of Public Administration: Understanding Management, Politics, and Law in the Public Sector grounds students in the fundamentals of public administration while embracing its complexity through multiple sets of values that affect administrative management of the American state. This cutting-edge new edition explains and analyzes public administration from the point of view of three well-established perspectives: management, politics, and law. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Textbook Review
I received this book in a timely fashion, with minimal writing in text. The cost was way below retail price.

appreciate the credit!
The class was full and I emailed the seller immediately to refund or credit my account.He was quick and credited my account right away -- I really appreciate that!

I emailed the professor to be added to his class.He later responded and agreed to do so.I wish now that I didn't request to credit my account.Other used books are selling higher than he originally posted his.You snooze, you lose!I'm still grateful for the quick response and understanding.Thank you!

Difficult reading, very "wordy"
This book was a required text for my PA course.It was very wordy and at times difficult to understand due to the repetitious content.I feel that there is probably a more straight forward style of writing than this one.Not for the student who is just beginning a public administration course, some back ground would be helpful if this text is to be used.However, it contains "Introduction" in its title.Well! I 'don't know about that? Great info, however, difficult reading.

mosgt boring book ever.
This is the most repetative book I have ever read. Just reading the intro to any chapter is all you really need, within the chaper, the author will state the exact same thing 3-5 times. I give it three starts because there is a lot of good information, it is just not well presented.

Good Graduate Level Text
This was a required text book for one of the classes in my master of public administration program (MPA).I found it to be extremely useful for understanding both the historical evolution of public administration and the current practice. The emphasis on the (sometimes conflicting) managerial, legal, and political perspectives of each aspect of public administration works nicely if you are also learning the Hamiltonian, Madisonian, and Jeffersonian perspectives on the founding of the government.I always find it useful to understand and remember how things work if I get a good explanation of why it is so--this book does a good job of balancing the how/why.

It's not a text for the casual reader, but if you are a graduate student, plan to be (or already are) a public manager, or just want a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of public administration, this book will serve you well.

Since I know some students don't buy books on their syllabi for financial reasons or for stubbornness, my recommendation is to get the book.It also makes a great reference for the papers you'll have to write. ... Read more

Product Description
Despite Switzerland's small size, its political system is one of the most complex and fascinating among contemporary democracies. The rich, complex mixture of centuries-old institutions and the refined political arrangements that exist today constitute a veritable laboratory for social scientists and their students. Often presented as the paradigmatic case of political integration, consensus democracy and multinational federalism, the Swiss model has become a benchmark case for analyses in comparative politics, political behaviour and other related fields. Written by two leading experts on Swiss politics, this book presents a definitive overview for scholars and students interested in Switzerland's political system at the beginning of the twenty-first century. By focusing on its intricacies but also taking in larger issues of general interest, the broad scope of this study will appeal to all those interested in contemporary European politics and democratic systems. ... Read more

Product Description
Terrorism and the Politics of Fear shows how the mass media and propaganda about fear of crime and terrorism contribute to social policies that promote social control and threaten civil liberties. This excellent treatment of a timely subject will be indispensable to teachers and students of sociology, media, politics, and criminology studies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fear Not! A Captivating Read Indeed!
Terrorism and the Politics of Fear (2006)
David L. Altheide

Altheide's work for the past thirty years has dealt primarily with the proliferation of the mass media and its growing place in our everyday public lives. Terrorism and the Politics of Fear expands on his recent research over the past decade involving fear; tracking its expansion throughout the mid 1990s, ultimately giving rise to what he calls the `discourse of fear,' or `the pervasive communications, symbolic awareness, and expectation that danger and risk are all around us' (page 11). The discourse of fear is fully explicated in his previous book, Creating Fear: News and the Construction of Crisis (2002) and serves as the theoretical catalyst for many of his arguments in Terrorism and the Politics of Fear.

The crux of Terrorism and the Politics of Fear involves social power, or the ability to define a situation and others and the role that the mass media play in this process. The book posits that authorities (e.g. formal agents of social control) promote fear, via the discourse of fear among citizens on the basis, "that even the cynical observer [will] hand over their lives for protection" (page 2). It is important to note that his argument rests on the assumption that fear is not necessarily good nor bad, but rather is maintained through everyday interaction; thus the concern then is understanding how fear is promoted, especially politically (e.g. the `politics of fear') which yields key insights into how fear is employed through such avenues as propaganda.

The `politics of fear' refers to, `decision makers' promotion and use of audience beliefs and assumptions about danger, risk, and fear in order to achieve certain goals' (page 15).Throughout the text Altheide reveals through meticulous detail how the politics of fear is A) informed by the discourse of fear and B) how the two become inextricably linked. This linkage is the basis of contemporary forms of social control facilitated most notably through the mass media. For example, this linkage is bolstered through perpetual images of fear by entertainment media; that rely heavily on a `fear format' which is informed by media logic, or `the process through which media present and transmit information (page 50).

Increased technologies give rise to increased surveillance, however this book highlights that the problem is not necessarily with surveillance, increased presence of formal agents of social control, or the like; rather the concern becomes spotlighting changes of symbolic representations in the social order which help us understand accompanying shifts in television programming, such as war programming (see chapter 8).

Fear (among other things) sparks consumerism and this book effectively demonstrates how people are more likely to be regarded as audiences (rather than individuals), which as Altheide suggests in turn accounts for the disappearance of citizenship in our mass-mediated age.

This book is highly recommended.

Suggestions for Further Reading

Altheide, David L. 2002. Creating Fear: News and the Construction of Crisis. New York, NY: Aldine de Gruyter.

Bennett, W. Lance. 2005. News: The Politics of Illusion. New York, NY: Pearson Education, Inc.

Chomsky, Noam. 1989. Necessary Illusions: Thought Control in Democratic Societies. Boston, MA. South End Press.

Chomsky, Noam. 1992. National Film Board of Canada, and Necessary Illusions. DVD. Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media. Directed by Mark Achbar and Peter Wintonick. Montreal: Necessary Illusions. ... Read more

Product Description
"I truly enjoyed The Politics of Law. It's a well-guided tour through contemporary legal academic thought, in general and critical legal studies, in particular. For lawyers--or laypersons--interested in alternative perspectives on the law and legal institutions, this book is an invaluable aid."
--Scott Turow, author of Burden of Proof and Presumed Innocent

The Politics of Law is the leading and most widely read progressive critique of the nature and role of the law in America society. This revised--and over a third entirely new--edition continues the book's concrete focus on the major subjects and fields of law. New essays on emerging fields and the latest trends and cases have been added to update versions of the now classic essays from earlier editions.

A unique assortment of leading scholars and practitioners in law and related disciplines--political science, economics, sociology, criminology, history, and literature--raise basic questions about law, challenging long-held ideas like the separation of law form politics, economics, religion, and culture. The address such issues contextually and with a keen historical perspective as they explain and critique the law in a broad range of areas.

This third edition contains essays on all of the subjects covered in the first year of law school while continuing the book's tradition of accessibility to non-law-trained readers. Insightful and powerful, The Politics of Law makes sense of the debates about judicial restraint and range of legal controversies so central to American public life and culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Blast From the Past
A great blast from the past! A taste of the baby boomers in their full glory, when we all thought we were writing a theoretical basis for understanding the law that would have lasting power and would provide a basis for re-understanding the law. Ah well. Times have passed this all by. That's for sure. Read it and remember when...

Unsatisfying and theoretically immature
"The Politics of Law" is a collection of essays by legal scholars from a progressive point of view, or rather a range of progressive points of view. Every major topic of law has one or two essays criticizing the current legislation and jurisprudence from a leftist perspective. Attention is paid not just to traditional injustices such as racism and access difficulties, but also more modern subjects like gay rights, feminism and the environment. So far, so good.

The essays themselves, however, are by and large very disappointing. About half of them are so general and so vaguely outline areas that may or may not be a problem that may or may not be worth addressing either inside or outside the legal scholarship, and so on, that they are largely useless to any reader but the most uninitiated. The other half tend to be thorough in their critiques, but make far too many assumptions about the nature progressive criticism should take, and often merely assert their critiques with no evidence at all. For example, whether affirmative action is to be considered good or bad from a radical progressive perspective is quite a debatable topic, but in this book it is basically assumed that the reader is an avid proponent. Same thing with constitutional jurisprudence such as Griswold vs. Connecticut and Roe vs. Wade; one can very well make a leftist argument against such creations as a "right to privacy" by emphasizing its antidemocratic constructs, but no attention is paid to this at all.

That seems to be the main problem with almost all essays in the main part of the book (Kairys' own article on free speech is a notable exception): there is a very strong presumption in favor of legal and especially judicial resolution of social problems, as opposed to for example a call for a more thorough democratization. It's probably because of the background of the contributors as law professors and radical lawyers that this top-down legal tendency is incorporated in all the criticisms, but it is not at all uncontested in radical progressive circles.

Finally, there are quite some silly mistakes and poor reasonings. Consistently misspelling Lochner as "Lockner" and implying that the 'imminent lawless action' test and the 'clear and present danger' test are the same are errors that should not be in any professional legal work. Rhonda Copelon's article explaining why the US is evil for not immediately implementing the various UN declarations' assertions such as "the right to the continuous improvement of living conditions" consists of nothing but angry assertions and makes a very amateuristic impression. The constant invocation of "the conservative Rehnquist court" as some sort of conspiracy to take away all civil rights, without any backup or argumentation whatever, is shrill and stupid.

The main virtues of this collection are the broad reach of its criticism and the last couple of essays, gathered under the header "progressive approaches to the law". These articles are more theoretical in nature and discuss the relation between progressive political views, especially radical ones, and legal systems. Particularly worthwhile is Cornel West's discussion of the role of law vis-à-vis radical leftist movements in the United States. The reader would do best to borrow this from the library to read that essay, and not to bother with the rest.

This book changed my life
As a non-traditional student returning to college to complete my undergraduate degree at the age of 47, I had accumulated hundreds of questions in my mind about the confusing state of American legal and political thought.Everywhere I turned, I ran into brick walls impermeable to logic.For example, if I helped to save the whales, how would that activity do anything about racism?And how would women who stayed at home with their children be empowered by entering a working environment rife with sexual harassment and discrimination?Why was it ok for so-called "captains of industry" to engage in selfish and rapacious behavior while being honored as "astute businessmen"?Why did some people's work receive more respect than others?

This book provided the foundation from which I have been able to distill answers to my questions.The Politics of Law challenges the mythology we are spoonfed throughout our lives.I always get a big kick out the the Right Wing's claims that indoctrination is the special purview of progressive political thought.When our education system is reinforced by our illiberal media and the overwhelming presence of corporate advertising and influence, it's shocking that anyone can think their way out of this maze of programming.Start with The Politics of Law.

Understanding Law as Politics
This book makes sense of the limits of "the rule of law," without giving up on The Law's importance.Cutting through the dream that "we have a government of laws, not of men," Kairys and his contributors demonstrate that The Law is not necessarily on the side of justice, fairness, or democracy.Today, perhaps more than at any time in the last 50 years, the supposedly neutrality of the system of laws has been compromised.In so many crucial areas -- such as the criminal "justice" system, the welfare state, civil rights and civil liberties, labor, women's rights, health, environment law, poverty, and many more -- this book helps us see how The Law is there to serve the powerholders, the "haves" of society, rather than the "have-nots."There is a lot here too about legal processes: about access to the system (and restrictions in people's access), about the legal rights of racial minorities, immigrants, workers, women, low-income people, and gays, and about the politics of policing.

Although highly critical of the present state of The Law, the writers here do not abandon the The Law as a zone where the struggle for justice, equality, and democracy goes on.Indeed they have written this book, in a sense, to redeem The Law as a tool for a true justice.Kairys and his collaborators want The Law truly to serve that cause, not merely to claim that it seeks justice when it so often does the reverse.

The book will be crucial for law students, critical thinkers, and real believers in democracy everywhere.It helps us think about what freedom really means.

Complicated yet lucid...highly recommended for students
I use this book in my Sociology of Law course.The essays in this bookare wonderful for instructional purposes because they are simultaneouslyclear enough that people not firmly entrenched in the legal field can readthem, yet rich in their content, exposing the complexities of law andsociety.

I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in lawand society, and especially to instructors. ... Read more

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This dynamic approach to Texas Politics combines a motivational writing style with inspiring chapter-opening vignettes of average citizens who are working to improve the political process in Texas. Popular with students and instructors alike, this theme of individual participation empowers students and encourages citizenship. Also contributing to the text's thematic framework are the view and comparison of Texas as a "megastate" --a large urbanized industrial state. Like California, New York, and Florida, Texas faces certain unique challenges, such as reforming elections and establishing home rule for counties. Texas Politics, 3/e, also features substantial coverage of policy issues, with chapters dedicated to criminal justice, education, social services, and the budget. The Third Edition has been thoroughly updated with current data, examples, and topical discussions. ... Read more

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'An authoritative work of modern history which is also a nail-biting page turner ...Dudley writes with an appealing blend of passion and honesty and his book is absolutely riveting.' - quotes Jon Lee Anderson, in "The New Yorker" 'Essential reading for anyone who wants to fully understand the causes of Latin America's longest-running civil war. A brave and unflinching book.' - says Joseph Contreras, in "Newsweek" Faced-paced and highly accessible, "Walking Ghosts" presents a window into one of the most fascinating and deadly conflicts of our time. Steven Dudley unpicks the complicated conflict between the Colombian government and FARC, the country's largest and most powerful guerrilla group. He focuses on the compelling stories of key actors - politicians, drug kingpins, revolutionaries and killers - in this struggle that has plagued Colombia for the past fifty years. Dudley has seen this war up close: dead bodies, paramilitaries, victims, guerrillas and survivors. He has witnessed political parties grappling for power by any means necessary, spoken to all sides and asked the tough questions to deliver this definitive new account. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Excellently Balanced Book, Amazing Resource
I found the book to be extremely well balanced and it goes far beyond a reductionary two sided 'right vs. left' approach. The book distinguishes between the Colombian Communist Party, the UP, the FARC, the druglords, paramilitaries/autodefensas, the Colombian military, and the politicians that controlled the Colombian military.

Its never a black and white story as each of these groups emerge and develop and their interests and leadership change. (Warning: Spoilers coming up): The autodefensas are at first defensive town militias to protect towns from brutal violence of the FARC, then evolve to slaughter other FARC/UP friendly towns. The state politicians controlling the military at first coordinate the military slaughter of an opposition party, then evolve to attempt to bring this opposition party legitimately into the system and must reign in their own military generals (rather unsuccessfully) to do so.

The FARC are at first are the robin hoods of the populace that strictly forbid drug and arms trafficking and hold only the rich hostage, and evolve to become funded by drug and arms trafficking and hold the poorest of the poor hostage. The UP at first is a recruiting agency for the FARC, then almost evolves to formally break with the FARC and its strategy of "the combination of all forms of struggle" but the party is destroyed by the assassination of its influential leader before this can occur. Throughout the book, the UP largely takes all the casualties for the FARC/Communist Party's strategy of "the combination of all forms of struggle" while it is attempting to enact serious reforms and good works such as economic development. This is mostly because the military refuses to distinguish between the UP and the FARC as distinct organizations and by attempting to participate in the political structure, the UP politicians are extremely easy to kill (while the FARC in their jungles are not). Meanwhile everyone in the countryside is caught up in the violence.

What does one take away from the book--violence begets violence, power struggles mostly inflict casualties on the poorest of the population, and power corrupts--in all of their gory detail, leaving one saddened and torn.

The author invested a lot of effort into the book, and it is courageous and academic for refusing to definitively side with any one group and instead attempting to follow a more "action = re-action" approach between the six groups struggling for power and siding only with a humanitarian morality.This approach leaves many "partisans" of the conflict unhappy.

Informative--but repetative--but repetative--but...sigh
I found the character descriptions and events chronicled in this book to assist me immensely in understanding the Colombian political predicament.I was sorely disappointed, however, that the book seemed very "cut and paste."Mostly it seemed like he wrote a variety of papers, then slapped chapters on them and called them a book.I was reminded again and again what "una guerra en todas las formas" meant.Literally **27** times this term is DEFINED.Ok, I got it the first time you told me.Furthermore, he repeats descriptions of people and places even in the same chapter, to a point that is ANNOYING.I don't need you to tell me the same thing 14 times, please edit that out.WHERE WAS HIS EDITOR??Did he fall asleep reading it?There are so many details and descriptions in this book that are crucial to understanding current Colombian politics, but I have to give it 3 stars based on the fact that he was at times verbose, reiterative (yes, reiterative), and that in all the book seemed like a disjointed set of narratives.Mr. Dudley, please, read your own work from beginning to end and tell me that you realize it needs editing!!

Indispensable for Understanding This Tragedy
Mr. Dudley has written a must-read book for anyone interested in understanding how futile, tragic and hopeless this civil war is, a war to end centuries of oppression by creating an alternate oppression. No matter how noble the goals of the militant left are, they have perverted that nobility with resorting to the tactics of the thug right that they despise. Mr. Dudley's extensive interviews with many of the "walking ghosts," many who died subsequently at the hands of the either the paramilitary wing of the Colombian army and narcotraffickers or the FARC, makes this a poignant tribute to their selfless idealism. The cynicism of both sides, coupled with a fatalism that would make Slavs blush, makes for a dreadful toxic brew that can only poison any hope of reconciliation. What neither Dudley or anyone else cares to address is why of all the Latin countries Colombia's insurgency has become so vicious and bitter, even though Colombia's experience with oligharchies or revolutionary movements is no different than any other of its continental or linguistic neighbors. The gist of his book concerns the Union Patriotica, the left wind political party that the FARC intended to manipulate for its own power-grabbing methods. seen by the right as just a front for their arms bearing enemies of FARC, the civilan members of UP became literal sitting ducks, martyrs for a cause that seems as far away from fruition as ever. Assassination became the norm, with the tentacles of the military entwining with the likes of Pablo Escobar and "El Mejicano" Gacha, well known cocaine lords. Dudly barely touches on US/CIA involvement, but their interference in other country's sovereign affairs is well known in any case. Dudley's writing style makes this an easy read from that perspective, but the endless parade of dead men walking became very sobering.

A disappointment...
This is a poorly written account of a topic so crucial for the history and the future of Colombia. The author seems biased against the victims of a political genocide a thesis he chose to build on self-contradicting, and in many cases, superficial, almost idiotic, narratives, gossip, cheap propaganda, and a strategically selected "balanced" approach to key events and people.

The author, in a few words, tells us that it was the left's fault that it didn't disarm while it was massacred by the paramilitaries before the state could even guarantee a safe political and electoral environment. And so it is not the drug lords who organized a killing campaign threatened by the UP, it wasn't the psychotic paranoid generals that insulted their heads of state by acting unilaterally and against orders, it wasn't the paramilitaries that started cutting off people with chainsaws before even there was a UP that caused the UP's demise. IT WAS THE LEFT TO BLAME for not cutting their own throats off!

Denial and the recycling of the same mythology for the last 40 years is one of the the reasons why Colombia is stuck in this mud of US-aid, narco-barons, government corruption, occasional genocides, multinational corporate liability, and psychotic narcissistic leaders.

Here is a hint: lessons from Northern Ireland, South Africa, Nepal, Salvador, the PLO, and more have demonstrated that disarmament is not a condition for transition to peace as much as the state's commitment to integrate insurgents in the political process SAFELY. I recommend some serious literature on the topic, such as Militant Nationalism by Cynthia E. Irvin in understanding the dimensions of killing the UP, this horrendous crime against the future of Colombia and the region for decades to come.

Mr. Dudley, please do your homework on peace processes first and then RE-WRITE this book at least so that the enormous work that you have invested in interviewing monstrous criminals such as Baquero, and Landazabal will not go wasted and your contribution will build an understanding and awareness towards a real progress instead of business as usual. I have never read such weight of accusations planted on the very shoulders of the victims themselves of such a significant political crime. Evidently, you have told us everything that you've been told, and presented us everything that you have found, but in exception to that bankrupted theory of placing the gravity of the blame on the victims, you Sir are absent from your own book! And the result of your absence is a caricature of a testament, a patched-up presentation that is confusing and misleading even to the advanced student of modern Colombian political history. In the end all that is left is the overwhelming bad after-taste of bias towards your own initial speculation.

There is a lot of work needed on this material to shape up into a ground braking contribution, but the potential is there. I'd dispose off the "theory" first, study thoroughly the existent theory on insurgency transformation to poiitics, especially from the comparative-theory perspective, and then, even with the existent matterial, I'd give it another try.

Excellent Story of the UP & Colombia
I feel that this a very strong series of stories and history of Colombia and of the FARC. Mr. Dudley has accomplished something few could, by interviewing the FARC, the UP, and the Paramilitaries - his interview with Carlos Castano is just incredible.

The Union Patriotica, a political party created by the FARC rebels of Colombia, appeared to be the last, best chance for the FARC to find political space in Colombia and turn their ideas into something positive for Colombia. Unfortunately, what ended up happenning is that the FARC does not seem to care that by not giving up its war against Colombia, that it ensured the mass murder of politicians of the Union Patriotica. It is astounding that the members of Union Patriotica did not consider breaking off from the FARC - it ensured that they were all killed as well. The other astounding fact is of the amnesty for the paramilitary groups: they did the vast majority of the killing and drug trafficking, and also ruined the chance for peace and the UP. Why they linked with drug dealers to destroy Colombia's chance at peace, it seemed it was all about the money. Yet the paramilitaries come off with a very generous deal from the Colombian government.

In any event: this book is a triumph. The FARC went from being justified, modestly popular, or even wildly popular, and the Union Patriotica, its political party, something that could benefit Colombians, to being one of the most disliked, controversial, selfish rebel groups on the planet, with no other plan other than its own military dominance for dominance's sake, and the vast dislocation of millions of Colombians. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

The inspiring movement that never ended
Katsiaficas's book is a great read for anyone interested in anti-authoritarian movements both from the past and those we are witnessing in the present. Katsiaficas's focus is on the German Autonomen and the Italian autonomous movements, but he doesn't fall short on other currents either (armed struggle, etc.).

Throughout the book, Katsiaficas narrates these huge movements that built themselves spontaneously without dictates from organizations of any kind. The book is highly sympathetic to the passionate, intuitive capabilities of egalitarian organizing, coming to decisions through consensus and desirable ways of coexisting without the outmoded dogma of profound theory and iconoclasm.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in horizontal, autonomous and anarchist movements as it holds great significance for the present. The book is written in a clear manner and Katsiaficas is excellent both in his ability as a historian and a theoretician of social movements and the postmodern "condition" (of capitalism).

A fascinating excavation of obscured recent radical movements
Katsiaficas follows up on his book on the New Left and 1968 with this fascinating history that connects the dots between the upheavals of the late 60s and the anti-corporate globalization movements of the turn of the millenium. If you thought the 70s and 80s were a dead period for radical social movements, and if you thought revolution in the belly of the capitalist beast was impossible, check this book out and be inspired. The Autonomists waged a new struggle not to seize power from the state, but to check its influence and create free spaces.

The book looks first at the wave of militancy that swept Italy in the 70s after the "Hot Autumn" of 1969, in which workers and students organized outside the bounds of party politics and bureaucratic trade unions and fought for freedom and justice on their own terms. Though the movement ultimately lost its way in the adventurism of the underground guerrilla tactics of the Red Brigades, the Autonomista rocked the roots of the system in new and unexpected ways, with a militant popular presence in the streets.

Kstsiaficas continues his account with developments in Germany, where activists were inspired by the anarchistic organizing and militancy of the Italians. In Germany, a vibrant movement of squatters, feminists, anti-nuke, and anti-[...] grew up and mobilized tens of thousands for militant actions against nuclear power, gentrification, neo-[...] violence, and government repression. Even as they were combatting the worst ills of the system, the German autonomen were building up a thriving network of "dual power" alternative institutions: women's centers, housing and food coops, bars and cafes, alternative media, and financial institutions-- living proof that society based on cooperation, freedom and equality was possible. Katsiaficas details similar efforts in Holland and Denmark.

In the final sections of the book, Katsiaficas gets a little bogged down, engaging in some windy critiques of Hardt and Negri and Seyla Benhabib-- he is at his best when detailing the actions of the social movements and drawin lessons for the future.

Highly recommended for activists struggling in the developed countries-- there is much to be learned from what the Automomists did and how the state responded.

Keep an eye out for his upcoming third volume, on the Kwangju Uprising in South Korea in 1980.

clear and brilliant treatment of the subject
this is a major book, by a progressive thinker of long standing ... Read more

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To be involved in politics without aspiring to govern, without seeking to be governed by the best leaders, without desiring to abolish all forms of government: such is the condition common to practitioners of nongovernmental politics. Whether these activists concern themselves with providing humanitarian aid, monitoring human rights violations, protecting the environment, educating consumers, or improving the safety of workers, the legitimacy and efficacy of their initiatives demand that they forsake conventional political ambitions. Yet even as they challenge specific governmental practices, nongovernmental activists are still operating within the realm of politics.

Composed of scholarly essays on the challenges and predicaments facing nongovernmental activism, profiles of unique and diverse NGOs (including Memorial, Global Exchange, World Vision, and Third World Network), and interviews with major nongovernmental actors (Gareth Evans of International Crisis Group, Anthony Romero of the ACLU, Rony Brauman of Médecins sans Frontières, and Peter Lurie of Public Citizen, among others), this book offers a groundbreaking survey of the rapidly expanding domain of nongovernmental activism. It examines nongovernmental activists’ motivations, from belief in the universality of human rights to concerns over the fairness of corporate stakeholders’ claims, and explores the multiple ways in which nongovernmental agencies operate. It analyzes the strategic options available and focuses on some of the most remarkable sites of NGO action, including borders, disaster zones, and the Internet. Finally, the book analyzes the conflicting agendas pursued by nongovernmental advocates—protecting civil society from the intrusions of governments that lack accountability or wresting the world from neo-liberal hegemony on the one hand and hastening the return of the Savior or restoring the social order prescribed by the Prophet on the other. ... Read more

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A perennial best-seller, this critical anthology introduces students to influential concepts, enabling them to analyze and understand the major crises of our time. A unique mix of classic and contemporary essays, this thought-provoking text covers the entire field of comparative politics. A review panel of political scientists drawn from the most prestigious universities in China singled out Brown's COMPARATIVE POLITICS as "a classic of the literature of the West," calling it "the most famous work in the field." Special attention in the new edition is given to issues and trends brought to the fore by the attacks of 9/11: clash and dialogue of civilizations, with reference notably to Islamism; the impact of modernization/globalization on the traditional state; and the growing uncertainties of democratization in post-communist systems and developing countries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

excellent sale!
book was in condition as it was described and shipped quickly! I will buy from this seller again! ... Read more