Imperialism as we knew it may be no more, but Empire is alive and well. It is, as Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri demonstrate in this bold work, the new political order of globalization. Their book shows how this emerging Empire is fundamentally different from the imperialism of European dominance and capitalist expansion in previous eras. Rather, today's Empire draws on elements of U.S. constitutionalism, with its tradition of hybrid identities and expanding frontiers. More than analysis, Empire is also an unabashedly utopian work of political philosophy.
" From ancient times to modern, corruption has been ingrained in human society and is still a powerful issue in the contemporary world. In Corruption: A Short History, Carlo Brioschi provides a thorough and entertaining look at how corruption was born and has evolved over time, without ever being stamped out. He examines corruption through politics and history—from Babylon to modern-day U.S. organized crime and the great market collapses—and concludes with reflections on the moral perception of corruption and its dangers for democracy. "
The publication of Empire last year created a sensation that spread from academia to the media to cocktail-party buzz. A book that causes such a scholarly commotion comes along only once every decade or so wrote the New York Times , as the book's radical vision of imperial power in the new millennium sparked both histrionic condemnation and serious academic engagement. After September 11 this discussion of Empire's political and legal theories was closely linked with the struggle to redefine America's place in a changed world. The book was read as a diagnosis of our era and a call for liberatory action, while Michael Hardt was acclaimed as the next Jacques Derrida. Framing the debate about this landmark work, The Empire's New Clothes brings together leading scholars to make sense of Empire's new vocabulary and tackle its claims head on. Does the authors' vision accurately describe the power structure of today's world? Do the processes of globalization today represent a fundamental break from the past? Is the book really a communist manifesto for the new age? Empire's New Clothes investigates these and other key issues, giving academics, students, and lay readers a handle on a work that touches the most vital themes of current political, social, and economic life.
"Nova's Reign Chapter 1" is an exciting journey into a world where cosmic forces collide with human destiny. Nova, a young and thoughtful protagonist, finds himself at the crossroads of a great cosmic struggle, with a mysterious galaxy swirling overhead and a shadowy, ominous figure always lurking in the background. The backdrop of a glowing city at night reflects Nova's inner turmoil as he contemplates the unimaginable forces that are about to change his life forever. As the first chapter in a gripping series, "Nova's Reign" introduces readers to a universe full of secrets, danger, and awe-inspiring power. Nova must navigate a world where reality itself bends to the influence of celestial beings, and the very fate of the city—and perhaps the universe—rests on his shoulders. In this chapter, Nova begins to discover his unique connection to the galaxy and the terrifying figure who seems to be watching him from the shadows. Fireworks burst in the distance, symbolizing the impending storm of chaos and conflict that is about to engulf Nova's world. As he stands on the rooftop, contemplating his next move, the story sets the stage for a thrilling journey of self-discovery, cosmic mystery, and epic confrontations. "Nova's Reign Chapter 1" is the start of an adventure that will challenge the boundaries of what it means to be human, while unveiling the ancient secrets of the universe. As Nova begins to unravel the truth behind the enigmatic figure and his own hidden powers, readers will be drawn into a tale where the stakes are as high as the stars themselves.
Globalization: Prospects and Problems, by JoAnn Chirico, provides a comprehensive and enlightening overview of globalization issues and topics. Emphasizing the theory and methods that social scientists employ to study globalization, the text reveals how macro globalization processes impact individual lives—from the spread of scientific discourse to which jobs are more or less likely to be offshored. The author presents a clear image of “the big globalization picture” by skillfully exploring, piece by piece, a myriad of globalization topics, debates, theories, and empirical data. Compelling chapters on theory, global civil society, democracy, cities, religion, institutions (sports, education, and health care), along with three chapters on global challenges, help readers develop a broad understanding of key topics and issues. Throughout the text, the author encourages readers to relate their personal experiences to globalization processes, allowing for a more meaningful and relevant learning experience.
On the precipice of global upheaval, this book delves into the systemic forces threatening our way of life. From the erosion of public trust to the escalating climate crisis, from the psychological grip of social media to the economic stranglehold of debt, it paints a stark picture of a world teetering on the edge of chaos. But amidst the destruction, glimmerings of hope emerge. Systems thinking and complex adaptive approaches offer tools to navigate the ever-changing landscape. Insights from ancient wisdom like Sun Tzu's Art of War and historical giants like the Roman Empire provide lessons for resilience and adaptation. Modern advancements in science and technology, from CRISPR to AI, hold the potential for both profound destruction and unimaginable progress. The book's core lies in confronting the critical issues of our time: The erosion of trust, the breakdown of systems, threats to individual well-being, and the looming environmental and economic crises. Through a balanced exploration of diverse viewpoints, from skeptics to activists, the book equips readers with the tools to form informed opinions. It challenges readers to examine the world around them critically, break free from echo chambers, and develop informed perspectives on the most pressing issues of our time. Ultimately, this book is a call to action. It urges us to embrace systems thinking and diverse perspectives and actively participate in shaping our future. By understanding the complex forces at play and harnessing the power of innovative solutions, we can navigate the chaos and build a more resilient, just, and sustainable world for ourselves and future generations.
How has corruption shaped – and undermined – the history of public life in modern Britain? This collection begins the task of piecing together this history over the past two and a half centuries, from the first assaults on Old Corruption and aristocratic privilege during the late eighteenth century through to the corruption scandals that blighted the worlds of Westminster and municipal government during the twentieth century. It offers the first account that pays equal attention to the successes and limitations of anticorruption reforms and the shifting meanings of ‘corruption’. It does so across a range of different sites – electoral, political and administrative, domestic and colonial – presenting new research on neglected areas of reform, while revisiting well known scandals and corrupt practices.
Corruption, as a social science, has been mystified and even ignored for many generations. Not many people would like to talk about this subject, openly and transparently. Now, it is becoming a subject of great concern, not only in the developing nations but also in the developed world. The subject has impacted so negatively in our social, economic and political life, that we can no longer keep quiet about it. Corruption is eroding the moral values of many nations and consigning many people to perpetual poverty and deprivation. To me this is a subject that is becoming more important and critical than even civics and geography in schools. It is a subject that touches and affects the morality of nations. I have a passionate concern, that, if we in Africa want to make Africa a better place to live in, then we must address this subject with the seriousness it deserves. Like any other social science, this subject should be introduced in our schools, and colleges, so that our young people, could be made acutely aware of the evils of this vice, and how it could be eradicated from our society. If this is done, our future generations will live in a much better society than we are today. There should also be programmes in place, organized by the civil society, and other agencies to educate the masses about the consequences of corruption in society. I do, however, appreciate that without available materials, my propositions could not be feasible. This book therefore, is intended to form a good source of Civic Education Material into Corruption in Africa and more specifically, in Kenya. The book has been written with those educational objectives, specifically in mind. It is the intention of this book to show that corruption poses a serious challenge in terms of the economic, political and social development in the AfricanContinent. Corruption undermines democratic institutions and good governance in the political landscape. It reduces accountability and negates representation and policymaking in the electoral process. It abrogates the rule of law in the judiciary. Corruption also encourages nepotism resulting into unequal provision of resources to the population in the public sector. The book further endeavours to show, that corruption undermines the legitimacy of government, and such democratic values as human rights, respect for therule of law, trust and tolerance. Corruption also does undermine economic development by advancing narrow and selfish economic policies and incompetence, in the delivery of services to the people. This book seeks to analyze, how corruption in public institutions, has squandered the national wealth, and impoverished the people. There is also a critical analysis on bureaucratic corruption, and how the public officers achieve their objectives, by diverting public investment away from social and people friendly projects, such as poverty reduction, education, health and housing, into capital projects, simply to attract bribes for individual benefits. The book examines institutional corruption in various departments of government, including the Police, Judiciary, Public Works, Immigration, Revenue Authority, Lands, Local Government and many other public institutions. The book also examines corruption in the public and private sectors, including public corporations, political banks, educational institutions and how the general public, have also contributed to the vice. The book further, examines corruption in other African countries, and makes, useful comparisons. It goes on to deal with measures that are being put in place,both in Kenya, and other African countries to fight corruption nationally, and internationally. The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, and the Public Servants Ethics Act that the Kenya Government, has put in place are discussed in some detail. The role of civil society and other organizations like Transparency International, and the media in the fight against corr
