Transitions Methods Theory Politicstransitions

Examined here is political discourse about the pattern and desirability of economic development, extending from historical and contemporary views about race, culture, and labour regimes, to how the same themes inform travel writing.

During the past two decades there has been increasing dissatisfaction with established political categories, on the grounds that they no longer fit many of the facts of contemporary life, or adequately express many contemporary political ideals. Political Theory in Transition explores the principal reasons for this dissatisfaction and outlines some of the most influential responses to it. Key features of this textbook: * covers many of the important areas in political theory including: Communitarianism; Identity; Feminism; Liberalism; Citizenship; Democracy; Power; Authority; Legitimacy; Nationalism; Globalization; and the Environment * includes chapters written by some of the foremost authorities in the field of political theory * divided into four useful sections, beginning with the concept of the individual, and progressing to beyond the nation-state.

During the past two decades there has been increasing dissatisfaction with established political categories, on the grounds that they no longer fit many of the facts of contemporary life, or adequately express many contemporary political ideals. Political Theory in Transition explores the principal reasons for this dissatisfaction and outlines some of the most influential responses to it. Key features of this textbook: * covers many of the important areas in political theory including: Communitarianism; Identity; Feminism; Liberalism; Citizenship; Democracy; Power; Authority; Legitimacy; Nationalism; Globalization; and the Environment * includes chapters written by some of the foremost authorities in the field of political theory * divided into four useful sections, beginning with the concept of the individual, and progressing to beyond the nation-state.

This analysis of Venezuelan women's organizing traces a sixty-year struggle to democratize political practice and represent women's interests. It also helps to explain some of the "unfinished business" of Latin American democratization: why women have had difficulty participating in regimes they fought to restore, and how they seek inclusion. Friedman's innovative theoretical approach uses gender analysis to explain the impact of the "political opportunity structure"--the institutions, actors, and discourses--of democratization on women's participation.

In Rethinking Marxist Theories of Transition, Onur Acaroglu traces the concept of transition across the tracts of Classical and Western Marxism. Rarely directly invoked, transition appears as an imminent social reality, and a useful conceptual tool for critical social theory.

A comparative and multidisciplinary exploration of Europe’s colonial past in relation to present multicultural, cosmopolitan and/or neocolonial experiences, assessing political, cultural and mediatized transitions

Addressing the apparent tensions between modernity and sustainability in Southeast Asia, this book offers novel insights into the global challenge of moving towards a low carbon energy system. With an original and accessible take on social theory related to energy transitions, modernity and sustainability, Mattijs Smits argues for a reinvigorated geography of energy. He also challenges universalistic and linear assumptions about energy transitions and makes the case for ’energy trajectories’, stressing embeddedness, contingency and connections between scales. Contemporary and historical empirical examples from Southeast Asia, primarily Thailand and Laos, are drawn upon to show the importance of scale at regional, national, local and household levels. The transitions in the national power sectors here have been intimately related to discourses of modernity and state formation since the colonial era. More recently, plans for international cooperation and discourses of regional power trade have taken centre stage. Local energy trajectories are understood to be part of these transitions, but also as embedded in local social, political and spatial relations. Examining how energy practices go hand-in-hand with the dissemination of different technologies, this work shows the complexities of achieving sustainability in the context of rapidly changing energy modernities in Southeast Asia.

We all face challenges in todays complex, competitive, and busy world. Problems sometimes seem overwhelming. Avoidance of negativity often requires a healthy balance between living in the now and planning for an uncertain, but hopeful future. The authors refer to turning points or life transitions, events which can be either wonderful and invigorating or anxiety-inducing and daunting. Turning points, even minor ones, may increase a sense of lifes meaning or they can have the opposite effect. Turning points might include, for example, the birth or death of children or grandchildren, the relocation of close relatives or friends, serious and disabling accidents, diseases or impairments, sudden and unexpected loss of employment, and environmental disasters that result in loss of property, stability or health. They might include the death of a loved one, for example, a spouse, life partner or companion, or being victimized criminally, by theft or fraud, or being assaulted, with continuing physical or emotional consequences. Turning points could include being required to undertake caretaking responsibilities for a spouse or parents, retirement and the question of how one should profitably spend ones time. Presentation of a new career opportunity, where life skill and experience is coveted, could involve a positive transition. Negative events can dramatically alter a lifes trajectory, resulting in major shifts in outlook, mood or motivation. These may, in turn, cause a downward spiral, particularly if the aftermath is severe. On the other hand, turning points may stimulate a life in positive ways. As our society ages, many of us have become (or will become) part-time or even full-time caretakers of our parents. Such responsibilities can prevent or delay a desired relocation or cause us to reconfigure a home to accommodate an older relatives physical needs. This book provides tools for therapists and coaches in the business of helping people with their difficulties. It is also for people who happen to be engaged in their own efforts to address lifes circumstances with openness and a desire to find new ways of confronting problems. Rather than simply calling this method self-help, we can look at it as a willing entrée into the exciting world of change with all of its possibilities. Through the authors personal experiences, lives of anxiety and fear can often be steered to calmer waters, avoiding or lessening the turbulence of life events. Resilience can be enhanced, lessening the severity of a past traumas effects. Realistic improvement is possible for those willing to seek its possibilities. The authors, writing from somewhat different ends of the personal belief spectrum (one a devout Catholic and the other an acknowledged non-believer), present this volume for readers to interpret rather than to promote a common position with respect to a particular theological or philosophical position regarding religion, faith, or God. In terms of showing support for the common betterment of society, and a respect for the spectrum and diversity of our different beliefs, the authors could not agree more.