This lucid guide meets the need, so often expressed in the 1990s, for an up-to-date assessment of the contemporary Commonwealth. It has a succinct section on its historical background and gives more attention than any previous works to symbols and to the 'People's Commonwealth' of voluntary organizations, sports and business. It highlights critical questions of balance that have emerged between the relative roles of governments and official agencies, voluntary associations, and private business.
This collection of essays has been assembled to mark the centenary of The Round Table. It provides an analysis of the modern Commonwealth since the establishment of the Secretariat in 1965. Providing an overview of the contemporary Commonwealth, this book places the organization in its rich historical context while assessing its achievements, failures and prospects. The volume is divided into two parts: • Part I concentrates on a series of themes, dealing with the structure and functioning of the Commonwealth and its major activities, including the work of the secretary general and secretariat, its championing of the interests of small states, human rights and the world economy. • Part II adopts a regional perspective, identifying the impact of the Commonwealth on regional relations generally and particular problems that affect these relations. It also examines the ways in which the Commonwealth sometimes reinforces regional loyalties and interests but also the extent to which these have also reduced the importance of the Commonwealth in the foreign policy of its member states. The Contemporary Commonwealth will be of interest to students and scholars of international politics and international organisations, practitioners ,journalists and those working in NGOs involved in Commonwealth affairs. This collection of essays is intended as a companion volume to The Commonwealth and International Affairs, edited by Alex May, marking the centenary of The Round Table.
A review of the Commonwealth Secretariat's organization, resources and performance together with an exploration of the role of the Secretary-General and a discussion of the problems of financial stringency and political strain over South Africa. It is aimed at specialists and general readers.
The Inside Story is a fascinating account of life at the centre of the Commonwealth's administrative structure and a remarkable insight into how international diplomacy functions at the highest level. On his appointment, Emeka Anyaoku, embarked on a path of careful political diplomacy, often at odds with the more confrontational approach adopted by others, and put the Commonwealth at the centre of negotiating the peaceful rebuilding of a new democratic South Africa. The diplomatic skill, humour and determination that Emeka demonstrated in his handling of the this situation are trademarks of his career in service to the Commonwealth.
Written by a senior Indian diplomat who has until recently also served as Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General, this book provides a unique and far-reaching exploration of the British Commonwealth, and its impact since the second World War on the process of Britain adjusting to a world without Empire. Whither the Commonwealth now? What is its record of achievement; what are the benefits of membership to countries in terms of collective political influence, trade, investment, aid, travel and education? Can any practical good be envisaged for this nearly moribund post-colonial organization? Britain, which brought the association into being and is central to it, would have to play a key part in determining its future. But in coming to such decisions, the British Government faces great problems of perception, both from the Monarchy and the British public.
How does the family influence adolescent behaviour? Why do some young people engage in delinquency? What role do peers play in shaping the way adolescents act? These and many other questions are answered in this book. The Social Psychology of Adolescence introduces and reviews major themes in adolescent development, including such topics as sexuality and the risk of HIV/AIDS, school life, teenagers in the work place, mental health issues, and others. It is an up-to-date review of some of the latest scientific evidence of the many different factors that help shape and mould adolescent behaviours. It deliberately reviews studies from as wide a range of different cultures as possible. The book will appeal to interested lay readers as well as professionals in education, psychology, social work and welfare studies.
When Empire appeared in 2000, it defined the political and economic challenges of the era of globalization and, thrillingly, found in them possibilities for new and more democratic forms of social organization. Now, with Commonwealth, Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri conclude the trilogy begun with Empire and continued in Multitude, proposing an ethics of freedom for living in our common world and articulating a possible constitution for our common wealth. Drawing on scenarios from around the globe and elucidating the themes that unite them, Hardt and Negri focus on the logic of institutions and the models of governance adequate to our understanding of a global commonwealth. They argue for the idea of the “common” to replace the opposition of private and public and the politics predicated on that opposition. Ultimately, they articulate the theoretical bases for what they call “governing the revolution.” Though this book functions as an extension and a completion of a sustained line of Hardt and Negri’s thought, it also stands alone and is entirely accessible to readers who are not familiar with the previous works. It is certain to appeal to, challenge, and enrich the thinking of anyone interested in questions of politics and globalization.
