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      • Trusted Partner
        Comparative politics
        July 2012

        Abandoning historical conflict?

        Former political prisoners and reconciliation in Northern Ireland

        by Peter Shirlow, Jon Tonge, James McAuley, Catherine McGlyn

        Drawing on over 150 interviews with former IRA, INLA, UVF and UFF prisoners, this is a major analysis of why Northern Ireland has seen a transition from war to peace. Most accounts of the peace process are 'top-down', relying upon the views of political elites. This book is 'bottom-up', analysing the voices of those who actually 'fought the war'. What made them fight, why did they stop and what are the lessons for other conflict zones? Based on a Leverhulme Trust project and written by an expert team, the book offers a new analysis, based on subtle interplays of military, political, economic and personal changes and experiences. Combined, these allowed combatants to move from violence to peace whilst retaining core ideological beliefs and maintaining long-term constitutional visions.

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        June 2012

        Abandoning historical conflict?

        Former political prisoners and reconciliation in Northern Ireland

        by Peter Shirlow, Jon Tonge, James McAuley, Catherine McGlynn

        Drawing on over 150 interviews with former IRA, INLA, UVF and UFF prisoners, this is a major analysis of why Northern Ireland has seen a transition from war to peace. Most accounts of the peace process are 'top-down', relying upon the views of political elites. This book is 'bottom-up', analysing the voices of those who actually 'fought the war'. What made them fight, why did they stop and what are the lessons for other conflict zones? Using unrivalled access to members of the armed groups, the book, available for the first time in paperback, offers a critical appraisal of one-dimensional accounts of the onset of peace, grounded in 'mutually hurting stalemate' and 'ripeness', which downgrade the political and economic aspects of conflict. Military stalemate had been evident since the early 1970s and offers little in explaining the timing of the peace process. Moreover, republicans and loyalists based their ceasefires upon very different perceptions of transformation or victory. Based on a Leverhulme Trust project and written by an expert team, Abandoning Conflict offers a new analysis, based on subtle interplays of military, political, economic and personal changes and experiences. ;

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        July 2010

        Abandoning historical conflict?

        Former political prisoners and reconciliation in Northern Ireland

        by Peter Shirlow, Jon Tonge, James McAuley, Catherine McGlynn

        Drawing on over 150 interviews with former IRA, INLA, UVF and UFF prisoners, this is a major analysis of why Northern Ireland has seen a transition from war to peace. Most accounts of the peace process are 'top-down', relying upon the views of political elites. This book is 'bottom-up', analysing the voices of those who actually 'fought the war'. What made them fight, why did they stop and what are the lessons for other conflict zones? Based on a Leverhulme Trust project and written by an expert team, the book offers a new analysis, based on subtle interplays of military, political, economic and personal changes and experiences. Combined, these allowed combatants to move from violence to peace whilst retaining core ideological beliefs and maintaining long-term constitutional visions. ;

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        September 2016

        Electoral competition in Ireland since 1987

        The politics of triumph and despair

        by Gary Murphy

        This major new account of the politics of modern Ireland offers a rigorous analysis of the forces which shaped both how the Irish state governed itself from the period since 1987 and how it lost its economic sovereignty in 2010. This study comprehensively assess the last quarter century in Irish electoral politics from the time of the end of a deep recession in 1987 to the general election of 2011 where Ireland was ruled by the Troika and austerity was a by-word for both policy-making and how many Irish people lived their lives. It analyses why the political system in Ireland was unable to stop the country losing its economic sovereignty and why the Irish electorate kept returning to political alternatives which they had rejected in the past. Written in a lively and engaging style it offers rich insights into the politics of modern Ireland and how Irish citizens have lived through a period combining triumphant euphoria and deep despair. ;

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        March 2016

        Indian foreign policy

        An overview

        by Harsh Pant

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        September 2016

        Indian foreign policy

        An overview

        by Harsh Pant

        This book is an overview of Indian foreign policy as it has evolved in recent times. The focus of the book is on the twenty-first century with historical context provided. It examines India's relationships with major powers, with its neighbours and other regions, as well as India's stand on major global issues. With a gradual accretion in its powers, India has become more aggressive in the pursuit of its interests, thereby emerging as an important player in the shaping of the global order in the new millennium. Since all issues, regions, and countries cannot be covered in a single volume, small snapshots of important issues are provided in each section. ;

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        August 2010

        Understanding British and European political issues

        Second edition

        by Neil McNaughton

        This new edition will be essential reading for all students studying politics at A2 level, as it covers the important issues as required by the main examining boards, and has been specifically tailored to the brand new Edexcel Route A specification. Fully updated to include the global recession and other recent political developments, it looks at the important issues in British politics since 1945. It is also useful as an introductory reader for all those who are interested in the field. Neil McNaughton is a seasoned writer at this level. He examines, on a chapter by chapter basis, the key issues of British politics today; economic policy, the Welfare State, law and order, environment policy, Northern Ireland, issues concerning women, European integration and the European Union, and the impact of the European Union on Britain. In each case he describes the issues in detail and places them in their political context. Written in an accessible style, with helpful features such as summaries, definition, tables and boxes to illuminate the points made and suggestions for additional reading and research, this book is urgently needed as students grapple with the issues thrown up by the new examinations. ;

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        August 2012

        Understanding Chinese politics

        An introduction to government in the People's Republic of China

        by Neil Collins, Andrew Cottey

        The Chinese political system is the subject of much media and popular comment in part because China supports an economy with an apparently inexorable dynamic and impressive record of achievement. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to China's political system, outlining the major features of the Chinese model and highlighting its claims and challenges. It explores the central role of the Communist Party in the country's politics and the way in which the Party controls most elements of the political system. The book also draws parallels with previous historical periods in China's history. Finally, it addresses the question of what kind of role the People's Republic of China will play in global politics as a whole, the implications for the West and the rebalancing of relations between China and its neighbours. ;

      • Trusted Partner
        Comparative politics
        August 2012

        Understanding Chinese politics

        An introduction to government in the People's Republic of China

        by Neil Collins, Andrew Cottey

        The Chinese political system is the subject of much media and popular comment in part because China supports an economy with an apparently inexorable dynamic and impressive record of achievement. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to China's political system, outlining the major features of the Chinese model and highlighting its claims and challenges. It explores the central role of the Communist Party in the country's politics and the way in which the Party controls most elements of the political system. The book also draws parallels with previous historical periods in China's history. Finally, it addresses the question of what kind of role the People's Republic of China will play in global politics as a whole, the implications for the West and the rebalancing of relations between China and its neighbours.

      • Trusted Partner
        Comparative politics
        October 2008

        Understanding US/UK government and politics (2nd Edn)

        A comparative guide

        by Duncan Watts

        Understanding US/UK government and politics is written specifically for A2 students and covers the comparative dimension of advanced level study. It closely follows the syllabuses of the main examination boards, is car and accessible in style, and offers invaluable insights into the similarities and differences between British and American politics. The book examines the setting against which government and politics operates in the two countries, explores the concept of political culture and examines the underlying ideas and values of British and American people, before considering the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government in detail. Political parties, the media and elections, pressure groups and voting are all extensively covered, with some concluding thoughts on the current condition of democracy in Britain and the United States. This new edition has been updated to take account of all the changes that have taken place in British and American politics since the first edition was published, including the escalation of the War on Terror, the specific terrorist threats carried out in the UK, and the underwhelming re-election of George W Bush and Tony Blair.

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        June 2012

        The social construction of Swedish neutrality

        Challenges to Swedish identity and sovereignty

        by Christine Agius, Peter Lawler, Emmanuel Pierre Guittet, Martin Hargreaves

        Since the end of the Cold War, and particularly in the post-9/11 international environment, neutrality has been conceptualised as a problematic subject. With the end of bipolarity, neutrality as a foreign and security policy lost much of its justification, and in the ongoing 'War on Terror', no state, according to the Bush Administration, can be neutral. However, much of this debate has gone unnoticed in IR literature. This book, newly available in paperback, examines the conceptualisation of neutrality from the Peloponnesian War to the present day, uncovering how neutrality has been a neglected and misunderstood subject in IR theory and politics. By rethinking neutrality through constructivism, this book argues that neutrality is intrinsically linked to identity. Using Sweden as a case study, it links identity, sovereignty, internationalism and solidarity to the debates about Swedish neutrality today and how neutrality has been central to Swedish identity and its world-view. ;

      • Trusted Partner
        Comparative politics
        July 2013

        The social construction of Swedish neutrality

        Challenges to Swedish identity and sovereignty

        by Christine Agius

        The end of the Cold War and the 'War on Terror' has signalled a shift in the security policies of all states. It has also led to the reconsideration of the policy of neutrality, and what being neutral means in the present age. This book examines the conceptualisation of neutrality from the Peloponnesian War to today, uncovering how neutrality has been a neglected and misunderstood subject in International Relations (IR) theory and politics. By rethinking neutrality through constructivism, this book argues that neutrality is intrinsically linked to identity. Using Sweden as a case study, it links identity, sovereignty, internationalism and solidarity to the debates about Swedish neutrality today and how neutrality has been central to Swedish identity and its worldview. It also examines the challenges to Swedish neutrality and neutrality broadly, in terms of European integration, globalisation, the decline of the state and sovereignty, and new threats to security, such as international terrorism, arguing that the norms and values of neutrality can be reworked to contribute to a more cosmopolitan international order.

      • Trusted Partner
        Comparative politics
        July 2013

        The social construction of Swedish neutrality

        Challenges to Swedish identity and sovereignty

        by Christine Agius

        The end of the Cold War and the 'War on Terror' has signalled a shift in the security policies of all states. It has also led to the reconsideration of the policy of neutrality, and what being neutral means in the present age. This book examines the conceptualisation of neutrality from the Peloponnesian War to today, uncovering how neutrality has been a neglected and misunderstood subject in International Relations (IR) theory and politics. By rethinking neutrality through constructivism, this book argues that neutrality is intrinsically linked to identity. Using Sweden as a case study, it links identity, sovereignty, internationalism and solidarity to the debates about Swedish neutrality today and how neutrality has been central to Swedish identity and its worldview. It also examines the challenges to Swedish neutrality and neutrality broadly, in terms of European integration, globalisation, the decline of the state and sovereignty, and new threats to security, such as international terrorism, arguing that the norms and values of neutrality can be reworked to contribute to a more cosmopolitan international order.

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        June 2012

        The end of Ulster loyalism?

        by Peter Shirlow

        The end of Ulster loyalism? explores the dynamics and divisions within paramilitary groups since the mid-1970s. It, despite contrary public opinion, details and explains the nature of Loyalist conflict transformation. A key model of transition that is relevant to arenas beyond Northern Ireland. The book also discusses the nature and extent of loyalist violence and provides a rarely heard voice regarding State-led collusion. It locates Loyalist ideas and opinions that have been largely invisible and highlights how an extensive element of positive Loyalist renewal has been purposefully suppressed and unmentioned. It is a key text for any student of politics, criminology, human geography and conflict and conflict transformation and is particularly relevant to the scholarship of pro-State groups who are infrequently considered in academic deliberations. A book of both hope and despair that emerges from a destabilising past and a yet-to-be-decided future. ;

      • Trusted Partner
        Comparative politics
        June 2012

        The end of Ulster loyalism?

        by Peter Shirlow

        The end of Ulster loyalism? explores the dynamics and divisions within paramilitary groups since the mid-1970s. It details and explains the nature of Loyalist conflict transformation, a key model of transition that is relevant to arenas beyond Northern Ireland. It communicates a history of transition and, at times, regression within the Ulster Volunteer Force, Ulster Defence Association, Loyalist Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando. It details the internal and external impediments and violence from within regressive elements, the wreckers and spoilers, who aimed to undermine positive peace-building. The book also discusses the nature and extent of loyalist violence and provides a rarely heard Loyalist voice regarding State-led collusion. Loyalist ideas and opinions are revealed that until now have been largely invisible, and the book highlights how an extensive element of positive Loyalist renewal has been purposefully suppressed and unmentioned. In examining both positive and regressive Loyalism this book creates a holistic and honest analysis of groups that are emerging, sometimes awkwardly, out of violence. From violence to the location of Loyalist transition, through internal feuding and towards restorative justice, community leadership and mural re-imaging this book asserts a definite and robust examination of the future of Loyalism. This will be a key text for any student of politics, criminology, human geography and conflict and conflict transformation and is particularly relevant to the scholarship of pro-State groups who are infrequently considered in academic deliberations.

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        January 2013

        The EU and its neighbours

        Values versus security in European foreign policy

        by Gergana Noutcheva, Emil Kirchner, Karolina Pomorska, Thomas Christiansen, Giselle Bosse

        Is there a tension between the normative fundamentals and strategic objectives of European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)? Is 'values versus security' an unavoidable choice to be made by the EU and its neighbours or, rather, a false dichotomy? The book argues that what is often considered a fundamental dilemma of EU foreign policy - a choice between the EU's values and its quest for security - misrepresents a much more complex reality in which values and security interplay to shape the EU's external positions. The book proposes an original conceptual framework for examining the complex interaction between values and security and situates the ENP in the broader conceptual debate about European Foreign Policy. In this way, it goes beyond the early scholarship on ENP, mainly inspired by the EU enlargement literature. The book examines the EU's evolving relations with its immediate neighbours in areas such as democracy promotion, Common Foreign and Security Policy, conflict management and resolution and soft security issues such as energy or immigration policy. By covering the whole range of EU external relations policies, the contributions to the volume provide a very unique opportunity to compare the complex interplay between values and security and its impacts across the wide policy spectrum of ENP. ;

      • Trusted Partner
        Comparative politics
        May 2013

        The British question

        by Arthur Aughey

        There is a sustained interest amongst students of British politics, as well as an informed public, about the future state of the United Kingdom. The issue at stake is whether the UK's multinational institutions can endure the challenge of political nationalism, especially in Scotland. This has become known as the British Question. This book is designed as both a framework text - setting out concepts by which to understand the British Question - and a synthetic text - providing a digest of significant academic work on historical, conceptual and political matters relevant to that question. The value of the book is its unique focus on the character, resources and function of the United Kingdom as a whole. It will be essential reading for students and teachers of British politics looking for a coherent interpretation of what is at stake when the future of the United Kingdom is being debated.

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        January 2013

        The British question

        by Arthur Aughey

        There is a sustained interest amongst students of British politics, as well as an informed public, about the future state of the United Kingdom. The issue at stake is whether the UK's multinational institutions can endure the challenge of political nationalism, especially in Scotland. This has become known as the British Question. This book is designed as both a framework text - setting out concepts by which to understand the British Question - and a synthetic text - providing a digest of significant academic work on historical, conceptual and political matters relevant to that question. The value of the book is its unique focus on the character, resources and function of the United Kingdom as a whole. It will be essential reading for students and teachers of British politics looking for a coherent interpretation of what is at stake when the future of the United Kingdom is being debated. ;

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