Society & Politics

We all want to live in a better world, but sometimes it feels that we lack the ability or influence to make a difference. John-Paul (read more)

We all want to live in a better world, but sometimes it feels that we lack the ability or influence to make a difference. John-Paul Flintoff offers a powerful reminder that through the generations, society has been transformed by the actions of individuals who understood that if they didn't like something, they could change it. Combining fresh new insights from history, politics and modern culture, this book will give you a sense of what might just be possible, as well as the inspiration and the courage you need to go about improving and changing the world we live in.

One in the new series of books from The School of Life, launched May 2012: How to Stay Sane by Philippa Perry How to Find Fulfilling Work by Roman Krznaric How to Worry Less About Money by John Armstrong How to Change the World by John-Paul Flintoff How to Thrive in the Digital Age by Tom Chatfield How to Think More About Sex by Alain de Botton. (hide)

Who are the "Nones"? What does humanism say about race, religion and popular culture? How do race, religion and popular culture inform (read more)

Who are the "Nones"? What does humanism say about race, religion and popular culture? How do race, religion and popular culture inform and affect humanism? The demographics of the United States are changing, marked most profoundly by the religiously unaffiliated, or what we have to come to call the "Nones". Spread across generations in the United States, this group encompasses a wide range of philosophical and ideological perspectives, from some in line with various forms of theism to those who are atheistic, and all sorts of combinations in between. Similar changes to demographics are taking place in Europe and elsewhere.

Humanism: Essays on Race, Religion and Popular Culture provides a much-needed humanities-based analysis and description of humanism in relation to these cultural markers. Whereas most existing analysis attempts to explain humanism through the natural and social sciences (the "what" of life), Anthony B. Pinn explores humanism in relation to "how" life is arranged, socialized, ritualized, and framed. (hide)

This book explains the existence of illicit markets throughout human history and provides recommendations to governments. Organized (read more)

This book explains the existence of illicit markets throughout human history and provides recommendations to governments. Organized criminal networks increased in strength after the enforcement of prohibition, eventually challenging the authority of the state and its institutions through corruption and violence. Criminal networks now organize under cyber-infrastructure, what we call the Deep or Dark Web.

Published:12 Sep 2018 (hide)

What are the imagined communities that compel men to kill or to die for an idea of a nation? This notion of nationhood had its origins (read more)

What are the imagined communities that compel men to kill or to die for an idea of a nation? This notion of nationhood had its origins in the founding of the Americas, but was then adopted and transformed by populist movements in nineteenth-century Europe. It became the rallying cry for anti-Imperialism as well as the abiding explanation for colonialism. In this scintillating, groundbreaking work of intellectual history Anderson explores how ideas are formed and reformulated at every level, from high politics to popular culture, and the way that they can make people do extraordinary things.

In the twenty-first century, these debates on the nature of the nation state are even more urgent. As new nations rise, vying for influence, and old empires decline, we must understand who we are as a community in the face of history, and change. (hide)

The Immigration Act of 1965 was one of the most consequential laws ever passed in the United States and immigration policy continues (read more)

The Immigration Act of 1965 was one of the most consequential laws ever passed in the United States and immigration policy continues to be one of the most contentious areas of American politics. As a "nation of immigrants," the United States has a long and complex history of immigration programs and controls which are deeply connected to the shape of American society today. This volume makes sense of the political history and the social impacts of immigration law, showing how legislation has reflected both domestic concerns and wider foreign policy.

John S. W. Park examines how immigration law reforms have inspired radically different responses across all levels of government, from cooperation to outright disobedience, and how they continue to fracture broader political debates. (hide)

This book examines how and to what extent academic research in politics and international studies has had 'impact' - in doing so, (read more)

This book examines how and to what extent academic research in politics and international studies has had 'impact' - in doing so, it also considers what might characterise 'world-leading' research impact. International Relations was always meant to have impact - it was intended to make a difference in the world, when the subject was formally founded to understand and prevent war in 1919. This volume addresses the concept of 'impact' and offers a typology of the term - instrumental, conceptual, capacity building and procedural.

Published:14 Aug 2020 (hide)

Since the great recession hit in 2008, the 1% has only grown richer while the rest find life increasingly tough. The gap between (read more)

Since the great recession hit in 2008, the 1% has only grown richer while the rest find life increasingly tough. The gap between the haves and the have-nots has turned into a chasm. While the rich have found new ways of protecting their wealth, everyone else has suffered the penalties of austerity.

But inequality is more than just economics. Being born outside the 1% has a dramatic impact on a person's potential: reducing life expectancy, limiting education and work prospects, and even affecting mental health. What is to be done? In Inequality and the 1% leading social thinker Danny Dorling lays bare the extent and true cost of the division in our society and asks what have the superrich ever done for us.
(hide)

Information Technology Law is the ideal companion for a course of study on IT law and the ways in which it is evolving in response (read more)

Information Technology Law is the ideal companion for a course of study on IT law and the ways in which it is evolving in response to rapid technological and social change. The third edition of this ground-breaking textbook develops its unique examination of the legal processes and their relationship to the modern 'information society'. Charting the development of the rapid digitization of society and its impact on established legal principles, Murray examines the challenges faced with enthusiasm and clarity.

Following a clearly-defined part structure, the text begins by defining the information society and discussing how it may be regulated, before moving on to explore issues of internet governance, privacy and surveillance, intellectual property and rights, and commerce within the digital sphere. Comprehensive and engaging, Information Technology Law takes an original and thought-provoking approach to examining this fast-moving area of law in context. Online Resource Centre The third edition is supported by a range of online resources, including: - Additional chapters on the Digital Sphere and Virtual Environments - Audio podcasts suitable for revision - Updates to the law post-publication - A flashcard glossary of key terms and concepts - Outline answers to end of chapter questions - A link to the author's blog, The IT Lawyer - Web links (hide)

How can we lay the foundation for a more just and peaceful world? How can we prevent communications from fracturing and societies (read more)

How can we lay the foundation for a more just and peaceful world? How can we prevent communications from fracturing and societies from tearing themselves apart? How should we prioritise economic, social and cultural demands for resources and opportunities? This book answers these questions, and presents a view of development 'in practice'. Written by experts in the field, the book covers a range of contemporary developments, as well as providing coverage of the theory and practice of international development. The book: * Covers a range of contemporary topics such as global security, new technologies, ethics and learning and participation * Has chapters on Global Health and Development in Practice, Environmentally Sustainable Development in Practice and Corruption and Development * Features learning objectives, summaries, reading lists and questions for discussion * Works as a practice-driven text packed with case studies Global in perspective and full of everything you need to know, this is your go-to book for your studies in International Development.
(hide)

Introduction to Political Theory is a text for the 21st century. It shows students why an understanding of theory is crucial to an (read more)

Introduction to Political Theory is a text for the 21st century. It shows students why an understanding of theory is crucial to an understanding of issues and events in a rapidly shifting global political landscape. Bringing together classic and contemporary political concepts and ideologies into one book, this new text introduces the major approaches to political issues that have shaped the modern world, and the ideas that form the currency of political debate.

Introduction to Political Theory relates political ideas to political realities through effective use of examples and case studies making theory lively, contentious and relevant. This updated third edition comes with significant revisions which reflect the latest questions facing political theory, such as the French burqa controversy, ethnic nationalism and the value of research from sociobiology. Accompanying these debates is a wealth of new and thought-provoking case studies for discussion, including (consensual) sadomasochism, affirmative action and same-sex marriage.
(hide)