The Prince by
Il Principe ( The Prince ) is the famous text by Florentine public servant Niccolo Machiavelli, in which he outlines the best strategy by which a prince can acquire, maintain and protect his state. Published posthumously, the text departs from his previous works, but is that for which he is remembered, and which has produced the adjective Machiavellian. Machiavelli directives for maintaining a secure state are direct and at times brutal...
The Communist Manifesto by
"All that is solid melts into air, all that is holy is profaned ... Working men of all countries, Unite!"This book truly changed the world, inspiring millions to revolution.Over 150 years after its publication, Marx and Engels' Communist Manifesto continues to inspire and provoke students, activists and citizens.The principles embodied within in it lie at the heart of thousands of academic and literary works. It is the starting point for people who refuse to accept that capitalism represents the final and optimum stage of human development. After reading this book, it is impossible to remain convinced that there is no alternative to unrestrained neoliberalism.In an introductory call to arms, renowned social theorist David Harvey asks us to look upon the Manifesto not as a historical document, but an invaluable tool for change.
Seeing Like a State by
Compulsory ujamaa villages in Tanzania, collectivization in Russia, Le Corbusier's urban planning theory realized in Brasilia, the Great Leap Forward in China, agricultural modernization in the Tropics - the 20th century has been racked by grand utopian schemes that have inadvertently brought death and disruption to millions. Why do well-intentioned plans for improving the human condition go tragically awry? In this wide-ranging book, James C. Scott analyzes failed cases of large-scale authoritarian plans in a variety of fields. Centrally managed social plans misfire, Scott argues, when they impose schematic visions that do violence to complex interdependencies that are not, and cannot be, fully understood. Further, the success of designs for social organization depends upon the recognition that local, practical knowledge is as important as formal, epistemic knowledge. The author builds a case against development theory and imperialistic state planning that disregards the values, desires and objections of its subjects. He identifies and discusses four conditions common to all planning disasters: administrative ordering of nature and society by the state; a high-modernist ideology that places confidence in the ability of human life; a willingness to use authoritarian state power to effect large-scale interventions; and a prostate civil society that cannot effectively resist such plans.
Democracy in America by
Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America (De la d(r)mocratie en Am(r)rique) is a classic text detailing the United States of the 1830s, showing a primarily favorable view by Tocqueville as he compares it to his native France. Considered to be an important account of the U.S. democratic system, it has become a classic work in the fields of political science and history. It quickly became popular in both the United States and Europe..
The Republic by
Have you ever read a great classic and come across an unfamiliar word? There are many editions of The Republic. This one is worth the price if you would like to enrich your vocabulary, whether for self-improvement or for preparation in advance of entrance examinations. Each page is annotated with a mini-thesaurus of uncommon words highlighted in the text. Not only will you experience a great classic, but learn the richness of the English language with synonyms and antonyms at the bottom of each page.
Black's Law Dictionary by 
The Encyclopedia of Censorship by
Although censorship may seem like a thing of the past, current controversies over books, movies, and Web sites prove it to be a very timely and critical issue. Encyclopedia of Censorship, New Edition presents a full range of information about the history and evolution of censorship and its role in society. Covering all forms of expression—from the office of the censor in ancient Rome to the Internet in the computer age—this reference examines every facet of this complex subject. With an easy-to-use A-to-Z format perfect for high school and college students as well as anyone with an interest in censorship and its politics, Encyclopedia of Censorship, New Edition features entries on Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Judy Blume, Christian Coalition, the Harry Potter series, Stephen King, and more.
Encyclopedia of the American Presidency by
Praise for the previous edition: New York Public Library "Best of Reference" "...interesting...useful..."—American Reference Books Annual "...a good starting point for research...a useful ready-reference tool."—School Library Journal The most up-to-date reference of its kind, Encyclopedia of the American Presidency, Revised Edition is the definitive guide to the role of the president from the American Revolution through the present day. Offering a complete account of every presidential election in U.S. history, this fully revised A-to-Z encyclopedia will make a great first stop for students and general readers looking for information on the executive branch of the American government. Its comprehensive scope spans the relationship between the executive and the other branches of government, court cases, elections, political opponents, scandals, and more. A valuable resource that provides concise information, Encyclopedia of the American Presidency, Revised Edition contains approximately 700 entries and many wonderful black-and-white illustrations. Entries include: Bully pulpit Commander in chief Economic policy  Executive privilege  Impeachment Iraq War Thomas Jefferson Middle East Military tribunals New Deal Barack Obama Oval Office Franklin D. Roosevelt Secret Service Situation room Veto power War powers Watergate White House and more.
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A dictionary of political biography by
Compiled by an expert team of contributors, this dictionary covers all the major figures in world politics of the twentieth century. Authoritative and wide-ranging, it describes and assesses the lives of more than 1,000 men and women who have shaped political events across the world. Each entry includes an account of the background, career, and achievements of the individual concerned, balancing fact with critical appraisal.
Dictionary of Public Policy and Administration by
The Dictionary of Public Policy and Administration offers definitions of all the key terms, concepts, processes and practices of contemporary public policy and administration. Included are brief biographies of major scholars and influential practitioners, summaries of major rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court, overviews of significant laws, descriptions of important government agencies, and explanations of historical trends and governing doctrines. The Dictionary is designed to be the single most useful tool that a student or practitioner of public administration could have-the book to keep at their side while they are reading other textbooks in the field.
The Dictionary of Alternatives by
There is no alternative to free market liberalism and managerialism', is the orthodoxy of the twenty-first century. This dictionary provides those who disagree with the evidence. Using hundreds of entries and cross-references, it proves that there are many alternatives to the way that we currently organize ourselves. These alternatives could be expressed as fictional utopias, they could be excavated from the past, or they could be described in terms of the contemporary politics of anti-corporate protest, environmentalism, feminism and localism. Part reference work, part source book, and part polemic, this dictionary provides a rich understanding of the ways in which fiction, history and today's politics provide different ways of thinking about how we can and should organize for the coming century.
The Routledge Dictionary of Politics by
This dictionary is the essential guide to politics, its terminologies, ideologies and institutions. Providing authoritative and up-to-date information that is invaluable to both students and general readers, it includes: well over 500 extensive definitions an understanding of the basics of political thought and theory clear, no-nonsense coverage of complex ideologies and dogmas succinct definitions of highly specialized and technical terms. Previously published by Penguin, this third edition has been extensively revised and updated with many new entries.
The Palgrave MacMillan Dictionary of Political Thought by Use these subject headings to find books in the catalog:
History
Political Science
Political Activists
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eBooks are an excellent way to find background and overview information for research. Learn how to divide and conquer eBook sections and how to search for information within an eBook, in the following tutorial.
