Search

"The Politics of Human Vulnerability to Climate Change: Exploring Adaptation Lock-ins in China and the United States" by Julia Teebken is a book that examines the challenges of implementing effective climate change adaptation policies in China and the USA. The author analyzes the concept of "lock-ins," which are entrenched mechanisms that hinder the implementation of climate policies, and vulnerability, which is the core nucleus of the adaptation paradigm. The book uses case studies from Atlanta and Jinhua to illustrate the challenges faced by local governments in formulating and implementing adaptive policies. The author argues for strategies such as enhancing support for vulnerable groups, increasing public participation, and strengthening government departments' learning capacity to address adaptation lock-ins and promote social justice in climate change policies. The book provides valuable insights into environmental governance models and the limitations faced by different countries in addressing climate change. [Extracted from the article]

"Controlling the Capital: Political Dominance in the Urbanizing World" is a book that examines the processes of dominance by ruling coalitions in capital cities in contemporary authoritarian contexts. The book includes six case study chapters that focus on cities such as Addis Ababa, Harare, Kampala, Lusaka, Colombo, and Dhaka. The authors explore themes of urbanization, state coercion, and political settlements, and analyze the challenges of controlling capital cities in relation to spaces, institutions, and coalitions. The book highlights the complexities and nuances of power dynamics in these cities and emphasizes the need for a more global urban studies perspective. [Extracted from the article]

"The End of Poverty" by Xiaoyun Li is a book that addresses essential questions about poverty and poverty alleviation measures. The author provides reflections on political philosophy and shares vivid stories from the ground about working with poor farmers. The book explores the roots of poverty, the necessity of poverty reduction, and the challenges faced in reducing poverty. It also highlights the importance of engaged scholarship, pro-poor institutional building, and policy intervention in developing countries. The book offers valuable insights from China's experiences and emphasizes the need for comparative studies and broad horizons in poverty reduction efforts. [Extracted from the article]

Natalie Corthésy's collection of poetry, "White Rum and Coconut Water," explores various aspects of Jamaican life and experiences. The poems cover themes such as poverty, absent parents, romantic relationships, and the challenges of everyday life. Corthésy's use of language and literary techniques creates vivid imagery, and her manipulation of voice and perspective adds depth to the collection. The poems are relatable to Jamaican readers while also resonating on a universal level. Additionally, the collection challenges traditional gender stereotypes with a strong and critical tone, expressing contempt for men who reinforce sexist stereotypes. Overall, "White Rum and Coconut Water" is a well-written and thought-provoking contribution to Jamaican and Caribbean poetry. [Extracted from the article]

"Wreckanomics: Why It's Time to End the War on Everything" by Ruben Andersson and David Keen is a book that challenges the way powerful people approach problem-solving, arguing that their methods are flawed and often make problems worse. The authors examine various conflicts, such as the war on drugs, the war on terror, and the fight against Covid, and highlight the tendency to frame everything in terms of war. They explore the reasons behind this approach and the interests of those involved in perpetuating these crises. The book offers a more optimistic perspective and aims to persuade readers to consider more nuanced and cooperative solutions to global problems. [Extracted from the article]

"What's Possible: Investing Now for Prosperous, Sustainable Neighborhoods" is a book that explores the intersection of climate change and community development. The book emphasizes the importance of public policies to reduce carbon emissions and create healthy communities, arguing that these policies can lead to long-term economic prosperity. It highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on low-income and marginalized communities and emphasizes the need for their inclusion in solutions. The book also discusses case studies and strategies for addressing climate change at the state and local levels, as well as the role of community developers in tackling these challenges. Overall, the book aims to inspire collaboration among various stakeholders to address the problems associated with climate change. [Extracted from the article]

"Travels in the Americas: Notes and Impressions of a New World" is a collection of Albert Camus's journals from his travels to North and South America in 1946 and 1949. The journals provide astute perspectives on literature, the arts, and Western politics in the aftermath of World War II. Camus showcases his skill for creating effective metaphors and attention to detail, which contributed to his Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957. The journals also reveal Camus's advocacy for the Allied cause during WWII and his opposition to capital punishment. He offers observations on various aspects of American society, including New York City's upper class, African identity, and the underclasses and immigrants. Camus's writing is characterized by his moral values, sense of humor, and commitment to reason and moral values. The book is highly recommended for scholars interested in twentieth-century literature. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Media and Psychoanalysis, A Critical Introduction" by Jacob Johansson and Steffen Kruger explores the intersection of psychoanalysis and contemporary media, including film, television, the internet, social media, videogames, and artificial intelligence. While the book covers a wide range of topics, it is unclear whether it is intended for beginners or researchers in the field. The authors attempt to make the book accessible to all, but this sometimes results in oversimplification or inaccuracies. Despite these shortcomings, the book offers valuable insights into the role of psychoanalysis in understanding media and culture. [Extracted from the article]

Janine Anderson Sawada's book, "Faith in Mount Fuji: The Rise of Independent Religion in Early Modern Japan," examines the development of Fujikō, a religious movement in early modern Japan. The movement originated from lay associations centered around pilgrimage to Mount Fuji and eventually became a more formal religious system. Sawada explores the categorization of Fujikō as a popular religion and delves into various aspects of the movement, including rituals, criticism of religious policies, and the suicide of its leader. The article focuses on Jikigyō, a religious leader in early modern Japan, and his beliefs and role in the Fujikō movement. Jikigyō advocated for cooperation between social classes and believed in the concept of the "Age of Miroku," a period of spiritual and social renewal. He criticized the worship of multiple deities and the financial gain of Buddhist religious professionals, rejecting paid ritual services and promoting frugality and compassion. The article also discusses Jikigyō's ritual suicide on Mount Fuji and the subsequent popularity of the Fujikō movement. It provides valuable insights into religious life during the Edo period and the relationship between merchant life and religious practices. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Contesting Crimmigration in Post-hukou China" by Tian Ma explores the concept of crimmigration in the Chinese context. The author focuses on the criminalization of non-local Hukou residents (NLHR), who are economically disadvantaged individuals from rural areas seeking work in urban areas. The book examines the role of the Hukou system in the criminal justice system and highlights the stigmatization and discrimination faced by NLHR. Through thorough research and fieldwork, the author reveals how the Chinese criminal justice system penalizes NLHR through police discretion, prosecution and sentencing practices, and prison conditions. The book provides valuable insights into crimmigration practices in non-democratic countries and offers a new perspective on the topic. [Extracted from the article]

"The Sovereign Trickster: Death and Laughter in the Age of Duterte" by Vicente L. Rafael is a book that offers a unique and insightful analysis of Rodrigo Duterte's presidency in the Philippines. The book explores the reasons behind Duterte's popularity and delves into the historical and theoretical context of Philippine politics. It also examines the impact of Duterte's policies, particularly his War on Drugs, on the lives of urban poor residents in Metro Manila. Overall, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of Duterte's presidency and its implications for contemporary Philippine politics and global governance. [Extracted from the article]

Both privileged poor students like Dr. Jack and doubly disadvantaged students encounter structural economic exclusion within universities. Through his analysis, Dr. Jack discovers that privileged poor students have a greater sense of belonging and adaptability in college compared to doubly disadvantaged students. In this regard, since the 1990s, elite universities in the USA have implemented loan-free student aid policies to address the issue of educational inequality. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Schooling Inequality: Aspirations, Opportunities, and the Reproduction of Social Class" by Jessie Abrahams sheds light on the systemic educational inequalities faced by students in the UK. The author combines Pierre Bourdieu's theory of practice with empirical findings to analyze educational inequalities across nine chapters. The book explores how aspirations and transitions to university are influenced by social class and the infrastructure available in schools. It also discusses the role of educational institutions in perpetuating unequal childhoods and the affective outcomes associated with mismatched opportunities. Overall, "Schooling Inequality" is a valuable resource for understanding and addressing systemic inequalities in education. [Extracted from the article]

Matthew Desmond's book, Poverty, By America, explores the issue of poverty and argues that it persists because everyone benefits from it. Desmond goes beyond blaming those who directly benefit from poverty and implicates all who are not poor. He supports his argument with examples and research findings, debunking common arguments for the lack of progress in reducing poverty rates. Desmond proposes bold solutions, such as increasing workers' bargaining power and providing access to credit and decent public services. The book aims to build a new narrative about poverty and our obligation to act, although it may not convince those who are hostile to the poor. [Extracted from the article]

Chapters by Gandesha and Pellegrini emphasize that focusing on politicians like Trump can mask the socioeconomic context that contributes to their attractiveness. My reading and reviewing of this book coincide with various tragedies in a post-COVID world, including the terror of an unjustifiable war in Ukraine and the similarly unconscionable, heartbreaking death of Mahsa Amini. [Extracted from the article]

In the concluding chapter, "Justice", Hannah-Jones offers a solution to the enduring racism that has pervaded America from the advent of colonial slavery to the present. An important book, I The 1619 Project i has generated much discussion but also great controversy. Unfortunately, the prescription provided by Hannah-Jones in the conclusion to I The 1619 Project i for overcoming slavery's legacy of racial inequity is more aspirational than analytic. [Extracted from the article]

In Callow's analysis, social, political and religious tensions were expressed as witchcraft accusations targeted at three women whose biographies and appearance made them credible as diabolic witches. In I The Last Witches of England i John Callow examines the witch trials of Temperance Lloyd, Susanna Edwards and Mary Trembles in Bideford, Devon, England, in 1682. These three accused women are significant in the annals of English witchcraft because they were the last witches officially executed for the crime of witchcraft in England. [Extracted from the article]

Thus, addressing the economics of agriculture without paying special attention to issues related to agricultural sector inefficiencies such as post-harvest crop losses, especially in countries that highly depend on agriculture, is to limit knowledge on the matter. The role of agriculture is not limited to the assurance of food security, but is largely hidden in the growth of economies, especially for countries whose economies depend on agriculture. Agriculture in the developing world is hindered by several factors, which are mainly categorised into institutional factors; poverty, geographical and climate factors; and human factors. [Extracted from the article]

Katrinell M. Davis's book, "Tainted Tap: Flint's Journey from Crisis to Recovery," provides a unique perspective on the Flint water crisis. As a Flint native, Davis offers insight into the factors that contributed to the crisis and its aftermath. The book traces the history of Flint's decline, highlighting failed urban renewal policies, racial discrimination, and disinvestment. Davis also explores how residents cope with the failures of public service provision and struggle to make their voices heard. Despite the challenges, the book emphasizes the resilience and determination of Flint's residents in their fight for justice and a better future. [Extracted from the article]

But the author also explains how I weak government capacity i had deleterious effects on the preparation for the CRR's implementation stage, especially in terms of strengthening and creating new institutions. New laws (such as the 2011 I Law for Victims and Land Restitution i ) and institutions were created that would hold the state accountable for redistributing land and providing other kinds of support to victims as part of a larger state-building exercise. While the observations on the CRR's political feasibility creating a credible commitment was important within the frame of the negotiation phase, the author could have retrospectively commented on the CRR's current low and uneven implementation vis-à-vis the other chapters in the Peace Agreement. This chapter is particularly strong in its disaggregation of government actors and processes, and it effectively counters the oversimplified narrative of conflict-ridden states being unable to build peace due to lack of state control. [Extracted from the article]