To Shape Our World For Good

Why does the United States pursue robust military invasions to change some foreign regimes but not others? Conventional accounts focus on geopolitics or elite ideology. C. William Walldorf, Jr., argues that the politics surrounding two broad, public narratives—the liberal narrative and the restraint narrative—often play a vital role in shaping US decisions whether to pursue robust and forceful regime change. Using current sociological work on cultural trauma, Walldorf explains how master narratives strengthen (and weaken), and he develops clear predictions for how and when these narratives will shape policy. To Shape Our World For Good demonstrates the importance and explanatory power of the master-narrative argument, using a sophisticated combination of methods: quantitative analysis and eight cases in the postwar period that include Korea, Vietnam, and El Salvador during the Cold War and more recent cases in Iraq and Libya. The case studies provide the environment for a critical assessment of the connections among the politics of master narratives, pluralism, and the common good in contemporary US foreign policy and grand strategy. Walldorf adds new insight to our understanding of US expansionism and cautions against the dangers of misusing popular narratives for short-term political gains—a practice all too common both past and present.

Small Changes x Lots of People = Big Change

We want to be part of the solution, not the problem; but the issues facing us – whether local or global – often seem too hard to tackle. We hope this meaningful, practical and simple book will inspire you to make changes in your everyday life that will quietly reshape our world. Often all it takes is a moment to look beyond the label, under the surface, and do something small, remembering that little things count. They add up and often cost you nothing. They ignite change and make the people around you happier. Small Ways to Shape Our World is an inspiring call to action, a powerful reminder that there's more to life than what you see, and a guide to reshaping our world with small acts of kindness, thoughtfulness and quiet rebellion.

"This book explores the ways that deeply held, public dispositions toward international politics push U.S. presidents--often against their better judgement--into either highly destructive wars, like Vietnam and Iraq, or away from even minimal action that could do good in the world, like modern-day Syria"--

A glorious celebration of the beauty, diversity, importance and sheer wonder of the most remarkable plants that shape our world, with exquisite illustrations from the incomparable collections of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The authors are expert guides to the intriguing histories, significance and uses of over 80 key plants, revealing our complex relationship with them, both for use and beauty. Rich in cultural, historical, botanical and symbolic associations, the plants presented here, from every corner of the globe, both familiar and bizarre, all have fascinating stories to tell. Sections cover every aspect of our interaction with plants, starting with foods that laid the foundations for the development of civilizations, such as wheat, rice and maize, and those that enliven our diet, such as saffron and spices. Other sections look at plants that have helped to house us, including bamboo and the oak, or crops that have made people rich, notably tea, coffee and sugar cane. Many plants have been used medicinally, from willow to the Madagascar periwinkle. Some are the objects of obsession or are revered, including the tulip, the rose and the lotus, and some are bizarre, such as the world's largest flower, rafflesia, which smells of rotting flesh. For anyone interested in the beauty and diversity of plants, this beautiful book, richly illustrated with over 200 drawings and paintings, will be an inspiration and a delight.

A provocative description of the power of population change to create the conditions for societal transformation. As the world nears 8 billion people, the countries that have led the global order since World War II are becoming the most aged societies in human history. At the same time, the world’s poorest and least powerful countries are suffocating under an imbalance of population and resources. In 8 Billion and Counting, political demographer Jennifer D. Sciubba argues that the story of the twenty-first century is less a story about exponential population growth, as the previous century was, than it is a story about differential growth—marked by a stark divide between the world’s richest and poorest countries. Drawing from decades of research, policy experience, and teaching, Sciubba employs stories and statistics to explain how demographic trends, like age structure and ethnic composition, are crucial signposts for future violence and peace, repression and democracy, poverty and prosperity. Although we have a diverse global population, demographic trends often follow predictable patterns that can help professionals across the corporate, nonprofit, government, and military sectors understand the global strategic environment. Through the lenses of national security, global health, and economics, Sciubba demonstrates the pitfalls of taking population numbers at face value and extrapolating from there. Instead, she argues, we must look at the forces in a society that amplify demographic trends and the forces that dilute them, particularly political institutions, or the rules of the game. She shows that the most important skills in demographic analysis are naming and being aware of your preferences, rethinking assumptions, and asking the right questions. Provocative and engrossing, 8 Billion and Counting is required reading for business leaders, policy makers, and anyone eager to anticipate political, economic, and social risks and opportunities. A deeper understanding of fertility, mortality, and migration promises to point toward the investments we need to make today to shape the future we want tomorrow.

Vital stories for hungry minds. In the first official book from BBC Radio 4's hit series The Food Programme, award-winning writer Alex Renton tells the stories of 13 key staples such as spice, oil, cocoa, bread and tomatoes, exploring their history, evolution and how our ever-growing hunger for them continues to alter our world. Look at food in a new light - as a weapon, an art form, a tool of revolution, but also a bringer of pure happiness. Discover a kaleidoscope of fascinating facts and curiosities, including the forgotten joys of lard, the secret to perfect chips and how our love of pepper led to piracy.

This book is about the importance of the couple relationship in the broadest terms. It draws on clinical researches into the inner lived world of adult couples, empirical developmental research into children and parenting, as well as the legal setting when relationships break down. It aims to bridge the inner and outer worlds, showing how our most intimate relationships have vital importance at all levels, from the individual and the family, to the social setting - and explores the implications for practice and policy. Above all, it is a book about applications of clinical thinking linked with research knowledge, as tools for front line workers and policy makers alike. It draws on the tradition of applied clinical thinking and research of the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships, linking current thinking with the history of ideas in each area it covers, as well as considering implications for the future.

Beneath the whirring machines and towering smokestacks, there lies a hidden network of arteries pulsating with lifeblood: industrial pumps. These unsung heroes tirelessly push fluids, from the viscous and abrasive to the delicate and life-sustaining, forming the very backbone of countless industries. From the towering skyscrapers to the depths of the ocean floor, their silent work powers our modern world. This journey into the fascinating world of industrial pumps delves beyond their metallic exteriors. We'll explore the diverse types, each tackling unique challenges with unwavering dedication. We'll unveil the intricate workings, understanding the principles that transform mere rotation into powerful fluid flow. We'll navigate the selection process, ensuring the perfect match for your specific needs, maximizing efficiency and performance. But this journey isn't just about technical specifications and engineering marvels. It's about recognizing the impact these pumps have on our lives. They are the silent partners behind the clean water we drink, the fuel that powers our vehicles, the chemicals that make our medicines, and the processes that manufacture the very devices you hold in your hands. So, prepare to be surprised and enlightened as we embark on this exploration. Through this preface, we open the door to a world where understanding these industrial marvels allows us to appreciate their crucial role, not just in powering our industries, but in shaping our very society. Are you ready to dive in?