Book reviews
Book Review: Gendered Readings of Change: A Feminist Pragmatist Approach
In Gendered Readings of Change, the author attempts to develop a unique theory of change by drawing upon elements of both US philosophy and contemporary feminist thought. Fischer argues for the reconstruction of theories of change so that they are inclusive of women’s experiences. By analysing select Ancient Greek and pragmatist theories, the author shows […]
Book Review: Digital Humanitarians: How Big Data is changing the face of humanitarian response
The overflow of information generated during disasters can be as paralysing to humanitarian response as the lack of information. This flash flood of information is often referred to as Big Data, or Big Crisis Data. Making sense of Big Crisis Data is proving to be an impossible challenge for traditional humanitarian organisations, which is why […]
Book Review: The Problem-solving Capacity of the Modern State
The early 21st century has presented considerable challenges to the problem-solving capacity of the contemporary state in the industrialised world. Among the many uncertainties, anxieties and tensions, it is, however, the cumulative challenge of fiscal austerity, demographic developments, and climate change that presents the key test for contemporary states. This book considers the state of […]
Book Review: Elites: A General Model
Elites: A General Model applies looks at three distinctly different societies – ancient India, Classical Athens, and the contemporary United States and analyses each societies’ politicians and propagandists, landowners and capitalists, national heroes and celebrities, ordinary folks and outcasts. Marion Koob reviews. Elites: A General Model. Murray Milner, Jr. Polity. November 2014. Whatever their epoch, elites fascinate. […]
Book Review: Personality Politics? The role of leader evaluations in democratic elections
Personality Politics? assesses the role that voters’ perceptions and evaluations of leaders play in democratic elections. The book presents evidence from an array of countries with diverse historical and institutional contexts, and employs innovative methodologies to determine the importance of leaders in democracies worldwide. Ruth Garland thinks this book is as a useful handbook for all students […]
Book Review: The Hizbullah Phenomenon: Politics and Communication
The authors of this book address how Hizbullah uses image, language, and its charismatic leader, Hassan Nasrallah, to legitimize its political aims and ideology and appeal to different target groups. Reviewer Morgane Colleau thinks this is a highly valuable contribution that sheds much needed light on a key causal dimension in the movement’s endurance. The Hizbullah […]
20 things we learned about democracy in March 2015
The General Election is (nearly) here! And here at Democratic Audit UK, we’ve been ferreting away trying to find the most interesting clumps of information, conjecture, opinion and miscellaneous. Collating it all for your pleasure, as ever, is Sean Kippin, who has been helped enormously by the launch of the Democratic Dashboard – a new voter resource bringing […]
Book Review: Feminism, Gender, and Universities: Politics, Passion and Pedagogies by Miriam E. David
Feminism, Gender, and Universities celebrates the way in which feminism has forever changed the terrain of higher education whilst examining the impact that the movement has had on the lives of women engaged in teaching others, writes Katherine Williams. Feminism, Gender, and Universities: Politics, Passion and Pedagogies. Miriam E. David. Ashgate. 2014. Find this book: With Feminism, Gender, […]
Book Review: The Origins and Rise of Dissident Irish Republicanism: The Role and Impact of Organizational Splits by John F. Morrison
This book is an interesting study of splits within the republican movement since the beginning of The Troubles. Its strongest points are its use of interviews and its description of the recent developments in breakaway groups, while its predictions about the future should be noted, writes Fergus O’ Farrell. Similar PostsHow will the ‘Sinn Féin surge’ […]
Book Review: Europe Entrapped by Claus Offe
In this short book, Claus Offe aims to bring into sharp focus the central political problem that lies at the heart of the EU and shackles its ability to deal with the most serious crisis of its short history. Anamaria Dutceac Segesten applauds this provocative but much needed argument calling for more, not less, political debate in the […]
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