For The Death of Picasso, Guy Davenport has gathered 27 essays and stories from throughout his career. The whole stands as his choice of the pieces he would have us read today if we are curious about what he’s been up to all this time. The result is an exciting and invigorating selection, a testament to one of the prose masters at work today. As the Louisville Courier-Journal noted, "Guy Davenport has few peers. Who can match his broad erudition, his mastery of forms—poetry, short fiction, essay, translation—and his wizardry with language?"
The Death and Life of State Repression addresses a problem that dates back at least 75 years, if not before. Since World War II, individuals and institutions from around the world have been concerned with state repression/human rights violations and since about 1990, a robust empirical literature has emerged to investigate what drives this behavior up or down (i.e., exploring variation). While useful, this work has generally ignored important aspects of the "Death/Life cycle" of state repression: i.e., its onset, escalation, termination and recurrence. Such an approach is important because different explanations and policies might be relevant for different parts of the cycle. Exploring a new database of repressive spells from 1976-2006 and new theory regarding spells, The Death and Life of State Repression breaks new ground in a variety of different ways. The book argues that repression is a sticky process that is largely slow-moving and non-adaptive. Consequently, change in this behavior is rare unless the ruling cohort is perturbed in some manner. What perturbs is somewhat surprising. The authors do not argue or find support for the predominant variables/policies advanced by the international community (i.e., naming/shaming, international law, military intervention and economic sanctions). Rather, their research advances and finds that political democratization plays a crucial role in reducing and stopping most aspects of repressive spells, and democratization itself is influenced by non-violent direct action. The book has major implications for those who wish to study state repression, as well as those who have an interest in trying to reduce and stop it from occurring across the Death/Life cycle. The path to less repressive behavior has never been clearer
The narrative delves into the intense rivalry between two billionaires as they vie for dominance in the race to colonize space. It explores their ambitions, innovative technologies, and the profound implications of their endeavors for humanity's future in the cosmos. The book highlights the personal and professional stakes involved, revealing how their competition shapes the landscape of space exploration and the potential for human expansion beyond Earth.
Focusing on the dynamics of state repression, this book systematically evaluates the triggers and patterns of repressive behavior. It reveals that while various factors influence the onset and cessation of repression, democratization emerges as the key element in mitigating state violence and fostering peace within repressive regimes. Through a comprehensive analysis, it addresses conceptual and empirical challenges faced by individuals and institutions seeking to understand and address state repression globally.
Exploring the relationship between democracy and state repression, this book delves into whether democratic governance leads to a decrease in oppressive actions by the state. It analyzes various political contexts and historical examples to understand how democratic institutions and practices might influence state behavior towards its citizens, ultimately questioning the effectiveness of democracy in promoting human rights and reducing authoritarian measures.
The idea of studying peace - over studying war, genocide and political
violence and then inferring about peace - has gained traction recently, but
how should it be studied? The Peace Continuum reviews the literature and
offers three alternative ways in which peace could be conceptualized and
studied.
This collection features contributions from prominent scholars in political science and sociology, exploring the intersections between these two fields. It delves into critical themes such as governance, social behavior, and the impact of political structures on society. The essays provide diverse perspectives and methodologies, fostering a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics at play in contemporary issues. This interdisciplinary approach aims to bridge gaps and encourage dialogue between political and social scientists.
The historic quest to rekindle the human exploration and colonization of space led by two rivals and their vast fortunes, egos, and visions of space as the next entrepreneurial frontier The Space Barons is the story of a group of billionaire entrepreneurs who are pouring their fortunes into the epic resurrection of the American space program. Nearly a half-century after Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, these Space Barons-most notably Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, along with Richard Branson and Paul Allen-are using Silicon Valley-style innovation to dramatically lower the cost of space travel, and send humans even further than NASA has gone. These entrepreneurs have founded some of the biggest brands in the world-Amazon, Microsoft, Virgin, Tesla, PayPal-and upended industry after industry. Now they are pursuing the biggest disruption of all: space. Based on years of reporting and exclusive interviews with all four billionaires, this authoritative account is a dramatic tale of risk and high adventure, the birth of a new Space Age, fueled by some of the world's richest men as they struggle to end governments' monopoly on the cosmos. The Space Barons is also a story of rivalry-hard-charging startups warring with established contractors, and the personal clashes of the leaders of this new space movement, particularly Musk and Bezos, as they aim for the moon and Mars and beyond.
The book explores the concept of social movement death as a result of a coevolutionary dynamic, examining how social movements evolve and interact with their environments over time. It delves into the factors that contribute to the decline of these movements, offering insights into their lifecycle and the interplay between societal changes and movement strategies. Through this analysis, the author sheds light on the complexities of social activism and the challenges faced in sustaining momentum and relevance.
The book explores the media's portrayal of the interactions between the Black Panther Party and government agents in the Bay Area during the late 1960s to early 1970s. It delves into the complexities of these relationships, highlighting how media narratives shaped public perception and understanding of the political climate surrounding the party. By analyzing specific incidents and coverage, the work sheds light on the broader implications of media influence on social movements and governmental responses.
