Europe in the Global Age
Author: Anthony Giddens
Europe's social model – its system of welfare and social protection – is regarded by many as the jewel in the crown. It is what helps to give the European societies their distinctive qualities of social cohesion and care for the vulnerable. Over recent years, however, the social model has come under great strain in many states within the European Union – unemployment, for example, remains stubbornly high. The resulting tensions have fuelled dissatisfaction with the European project as a whole, culminating in the rejection of Europe's proposed new constitution.
Reform of the social model is therefore a matter of urgency. It has to go hand in hand with the quest to regenerate economic growth. The weaker performers in Europe over the past few years can learn a good deal from states that have coped more effectively. But more radical changes need to be contemplated in the face of the impact of globalization, rapidly increasing cultural diversity and changing demography. The author argues that the traditional welfare state needs to be rethought. We have to bring lifestyle change into the heart of what welfare means. Moreover, environmental issues must be directly connected to other citizenship obligations. These innovations have to be made at the same time as Europes competitive position is upgraded.
This original and path-breaking book will rank alongside Beyond Left and Right, The Third Way and other works by Anthony Giddens that have helped reshape social and political thinking over recent decades.
New interesting book: Software Project Management or Simplified Site Design
Theories and Practices of Development
Author: Katie Willis
Throughout the twentieth century, governments sought to achieve "development" not only in their own countries, but also in other regions of the world, particularly in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. This focus on "development" as a goal has continued into the 21st century, for example through the United Nations Millennium Development Targets. While development is often viewed as something very positive, it is also very important to consider the possible detrimental effects of development on the natural environment, different social groups and on the cohesion and stability of societies.
Theories and Practices of Development investigates, and places in a historical context, the development theories behind contemporary debates, such as globalization and transnationalism. The main definitions of "development" and "development theory" are outlined with a description and explanation of how approaches to "development" have changed over time. The differing explanations of inequalities indevelopment, both spatially and socially, and the reasoning behind different development policies are also considered. By drawing on pre-20th century European theories about development and examining current policies in Europe and the USA, the book not only stresses commonalities in development theorizing over time and space, but also the importance of context in theory construction.
The book provides an ideal introduction to development theories for students in geography, development studies, area studies, anthropology and sociology. It contains student-friendly features, including boxed case studies with examples and definitions of concepts and terms. The book alsocontains tables, figures and pictures. By using empirical material, the book aims to show how development theories have been put into practice in the policy field, and also to make it easier for students to understand complex theoretical ideas. Each chapter has a summary section, suggestions for follow-up reading, discussion questions andinformation about useful websites.
Table of Contents:
| 1 | Introduction : what do we mean by development? | 1 |
| 2 | Classical and neo-liberal development theories | 32 |
| 3 | Structuralism, neo-Marxism and socialism | 62 |
| 4 | Grassroots development | 93 |
| 5 | Social and cultural dimensions of development | 116 |
| 6 | Environment and development theory | 146 |
| 7 | Globalization and development : problems and solutions? | 173 |
| 8 | Conclusions | 200 |
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