Amazon.com Review
Why has our culture become increasingly violent? Barry Sandersbelieves the root of the problem can be traced to a widespreadcollapse in individuals' "self-sustaining interior lives."Without firm senses of our own identity, the argument runs, we aren'table to relate to other people in a meaningful fashion.He attributesthe disintegration of the inner self to a decline in literacy.Literacy, according to Sanders, is what makes critical thinkingpossible--not merely the ability to read and write but the capabilityof learning from what one has read and sharing one's insights withothers.

The breadth of Sanders's argument is impressive. An exploration of theAmerican cultural attitudes that led to the aggressive support of the1991 conflict in Iraq, for example, delves into the neoconservativephilosophy of Allan Bloom's >The Closing of theAmerican Mind. Sanders can be overly dogmatic in hisinsistence that computer technology cannot contribute to the type ofliteracy he champions, as in his claim that writing with a wordprocessor inspires less respect for language than writing directlyonto paper. Although he is certainly correct to say that using a wordprocessor is a fundamentally different experience from any other formof writing (a notion Steven Johnson explores thoughtfully in InterfaceCulture), one simply cannot lump together all other writingtechnologies, such as pencils and electric typewriters, and say thatword processing is the opposite. His assertion that no genuineconversation could occur in cyberspace seems equally harsh.

But Sanders cannot and should not be dismissed as a neo-Luddite. He has clearly given deep consideration to the importance of direct participation in the social discourse, and his call to enrich our inner lives by engaging ourselves in the lives of others is worth hearing out. ... Read more

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The current transformation of many Eastern European societies is impossible to understand without comprehending the intellectual struggles surrounding nationalism in the region. Anthropologist Katherine Verdery shows how the example of Romania suggests that current ethnic tensions come not from a resurrection of pre-Communist Nationalism but from the strengthening of national ideologies under Communist Party rule. ... Read more

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Fascinating and useful book
Katherine Verdery is an American anthropologist working primarily in Romania.She has written a number of books on this fascinating and often troubled country.

When I started working there in 1992 I found it very difficult to understand quite what was going on, and the background to many of the debates I was encountering.

Verdery's book examines the background to National Ideology in Romania, both its historical roots in the 17th and 18th centuries and its more recent history under the communist regime.She also provides an in-depth theoretical analysis of the communist "command economy" and its impact on academic debates in Romania. The book provides several case studies including literary criticism and history.

I read this book with utter fascination and it formed the key to my understanding of many of the problems I encountered.It is not an easy read, it is a theoretical academic book, but it is a brilliant one and is essential reading for anyone engaging with the academic sphere in Romania. ... Read more

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Virtually all known human groups have devised and regularly used techniques for altering consciousness, among which alcohol and drugs are prominent.The authors offer a provocative analysis of the philosophical, sociological, and historical background of the attempt to control consciousness-altering drugs in modern industrial societies. In considering the right of individuals to diversify and enrich their experience versus the obligations of government to protect their citizens, they enable readers to step back for a moment and examine alternative ways of looking at what is usually called the drug problem. ... Read more

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A Civil Society? Collective Actors in Canadian Political Life By Miriam Smith

Focusing on the traditional state-centred arenas of group and social movement influence such as Parliament, elections, the bureaucracy and the courts, this book argues that the terrain of group politics in Canada has been restructured by the transition from the Keynesian welfare state era to the era of neoliberal globalization. It surveys the main approaches to the study of collective action in the Canadian context, including theories such as pluralism, neo-Marxism, historical institutionalism, and rational choice theory. The core of the analysis draws on political economy and historical institutionalism to explore the ways in which Canadian political institutions are in the midst of a fundamental transformation brought on by the shift to neoliberalism. Miriam Smith argues that political-institutional changes in federalism and intergovernmental relations, the role of the courts in the wake of the Charter, the decline of the legislature, the concentration of power at the centre, the relative displacement of the public service, the regionalization of the brokerage party system, and the rise of professional lobbyists have altered the scope for group politics in Canada. The restructuring of Canadian politics has gone beyond the level of policy change, reshaping the central institutions of the state. The core political institutions of the Canadian state are in the midst of their own restructuring process, one that will make a less democratic Canada. ... Read more

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Why has Russian democracy apparently survived and even strengthened under a presidential system, when so many other presidential regimes have decayed into authoritarian rule? And what are the origins of presidential power in modern Russia? Thomas M. Nichols argues that the answer lies in the relationship between political institutions and trust: where society, and consequently politics, is fractious and divided, structural safeguards inherent in presidentialism actually serve to strengthen democratic behavior. The Russian presidency is not the cause of social turmoil in Russia, but rather a successful response to it. This book's emphasis on the social origins of Russian politics explains not only the unexpected survival of Russian democracy, but encourages a reconsideration of the relationship between institutions, social conditions, and democracy. ... Read more

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Russians Trusting Russians
Tom Nichols book is a wonderfully challenging but comfortably readable analysis of the role of presidentialism in holding together Russia's fragile democracy.He provides enough background for capable but untutoredreaders like myself to understand his thesis, but never so much that youfeel like you're in an introductory course.Read the footnotes.The longones not only contribute to a lay reader's overall understanding of thesubject, but on occasion are downright funny.A wonderful book. ... Read more

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Modern Germany examines all aspects of contemporary political, economic, social and cultural life in the new Germany.Using a clearly structured approach and accessible language, the contributors explain the electoral and political systems and underline the significance of the Federal system in Germany. They also discuss the legendary German economy, industry and education system in light of recent problems. Modern Germany also describes the media landscape of the nation and the recent reforms to the German language. ... Read more

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Intellectual quest for World Order is as old as the history of mankind. Saints and sages, religious visionaries and philosophers from all great civilizations have left their valuable contributions on the peaceful sands of time. However much of this wealthhasbeen obliterated by other events of history whereinpower, might and grandeurwereused as the instruments of exploitation by a section of human beings.Time has come to research onthe past, and on its basistoanalyze the present and visualize a futurefor a just world order. In World Constitutionalism, over two dozen scholars, academicians, administrators, and leaders of civil society have come together to pen their innovative ideas. It is an attempt to carry their visionover national barriers through the realms of Human Rights, Environmental Law, Feminist Justice, Global Democracy and so on . In the fast evolving twenty first century , World Constitutionalism is already exploding on the global scene in all fields of life , as human racefinds enlightenment through information and networking revolution,technology development,and conscious spiritual awakening taking place from East to West.World Constitutionalism endeavours to foster scientific study of world governance as a multi disciplinary subject with an added flavour of law to give it special sanctity in the minds of the Peoples of the World. The book isan addition to the growing movement for World Unity that presently reechoes round the globe. ... Read more

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Pocket-size text explores the balance of power between the state and local communities, with particular reference to societies in the developing world. Author draws conclusions that can be applied to many societies. Softcover, hardcover available from the publisher. ... Read more

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This book gives a comprehensive and critical account of the theoretical changes in communication studies from the early theories of development communication through to the contemporary critiques of globalization. It looks at the ways in which the media can be used to effect change and development, and traces the evolution of thinking from attempts to spread 'modernity' by way of using the media through to alternative perspectives based on encouraging participation in development communication. It explores the theory of media imperialism, the criticisms that it provoked, and its replacement as the dominant theory of international communication by globalization. ... Read more

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Words, like sticks and stones, can assault; they can injure; they can exclude. In this important book, four prominent legal scholars from the tradition of critical race theory draw on the experience of injury from racist hate speech to develop a first amendment interpretation that recognizes such injuries. In their critique of "first amendment orthodoxy," the authors argue that only a history of racism can explain why defamation, invasion of privacy, and fraud are exempt from free-speech guarantees while racist and sexist verbal assaults are not. ... Read more

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thoughtful writing on critical race theory and the law
this book examines how free speech in this country intersects with assaultive speech.it challenges the thought that all speech should be protected, and engages you to examine the intent behind many words that wetake for granted.

matsuda is known as a constitutional scholar andpassionate inquisitor into the blurry intersection of race, gender, thelaw, and language. whether you agree with her views or not, this book andthe ideas put forth will challenge you to examine your own beliefs andexpectations of what your civil rights are. ... Read more

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A straightforward, scholarly analysis
The Panthers And The Militias: Brothers Under The Skin? by John A. Wood is a brief (52 pages) yet straightforward, scholarly analysis of the Black Panther movement and militias in America. History, similarities, differences, economic and cultural issues are all discussed in this learned treatise, which is exhaustively researched and meticulously written. The Panthers And The Militias is a welcome and original contribution to Black Studies and American History supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections. ... Read more

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· What is radical conservatism?

· What are its connections with right-wing populism?

Over the last 20 years the post-war centre-ground which recognized the welfare state, the funding of education, protection of the environment and the management of capitalism as the proper business of the state, has fragmented. The New Left of the 1990s is more conservative than the Old Left of the 1960s and 70s.

Emphasis on the freedom of the individual and the proper limitations of state power has changed the climate of everyday life.For Dahl, the genocide in the former Yugoslavia and the bombing in Oklahoma City, each bear the traces of the new 'radical conservatism'. Even countries in the former socialist bloc have witnessed a conservative revolution.

This book locates the roots of radical conservatism in the writings of Nietzsche, Dostoyevsky, Heidegger, Junger and Schmitt. It documents the radical conservative worldview and points to limitations in its perspective.Dahl asserts that we should be wary of considering radical conservatism as a singular phenomenon and discusses the divergence in belief and policy between different nation states in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.

Radical Conservatism and the Future of Politics provides a timely and penetrating understanding of the most pronounced political phenomenon of our time. It will be invaluable to students of political science and political sociology.

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"Arguing that cultural reform is a key aspect of political reform, Richard Kraus shows here that China's economic transformation has dramatically liberated the production and consumption of culture. In this original and provocative study, Kraus offers a political analysis of Chinese culture that includes all genres of art. Surveying the evolution of China's cultural politics between 1979 and 2003, this book explores the complex relationship between money and art as exemplified by declining state arts patronage, changing standards for painting nudity, censorship, and the professionalization of artistic work. Cogent, witty, and deeply informed, this comprehensive overview of the Chinese arts scene will be an essential text for all observers of contemporary China." ... Read more

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From its beginnings in the 1930s, the critical theory of the so-called Frankfurt School has refused to situate itself within any arbitrary or conventional academic divisions. Traversing and undermining boundaries between competing disciplines, it stresses interconnections among philosophy, economics and politics, culture and society.

In Critical Theory, Marxism, and Modernity Douglas Kellner sets out the fundamental ideas and arguments of critical theory as they relate to the central issues in radical social theory and offers incisive interpretations of the theoretical tradition from its beginnings to the present.

Critical theory began as a Marxian critique of capitalist modernity, Kellner contends, and moved away from orthodox Marxism in response to the events of twentieth-century history. Kellner explores the effects of historical crises of capitalism and Marxism on critical theory and reflects on the continued relevance or obsolescence of Marxism and critical theory. "During the 1960s, many among my generation of New Left radicals turned for theoretical and political guidance to the works of Max Horkheimer, Herbert Marcuse, T.W. Adorno, Erich Fromm, Leo Lowenthal, Frederick Pollock, Jurgen Habermas, and their colleagues, " he writes. "As we move into the 1990s critical theory might help produce theoretical and political perspectives which could be part of a Left Turn that could reanimate the political hopes of the 1960s, while helping overcome and reverse the losses and regression of the 1980s." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good for Beginners & Experts
This is an excellent book for anyone to read. If you want to become more aware of how much of today's society works, and where its influence comes from, then this book is right for you. One might find some words to be pretty complicated, but by looking past it, you should still be able to grasp a decent amount of information. Of course, due to the depth of this book, it you will probably need to read it at least twice to fully understand it. Other than that, I really loved it.

Clear and insightful - A quick review
In a few words, this book was extremely helpful in outlining some basic thoughts (with depth) of the Frankfurt School.It is clearly written and easy to follow. Kellner does a great job of engaging the reader, enticing one to continue on and on until the end.If you are interested in learning more about the Frankfurt School, critical theory etc., then check this book out - very helpful.

The Frankfort School and Critical Theory
This book provided an excellent analysis of the Frankfurt School including the contributions of Horkheimer and Habermas.There were also three very interesting chapters that focused on the mass media and technology.Forsomeone looking to develop a critical perspective of the media this book isa great start.Also, it was fairly easy to read. ... Read more