Summaries of books about Politics & Social Sciences:
Bottom-up Responses to Crisis
Stefanie Haeffele, Virgil Henry Storr
The book explores how communities and individuals respond to crises through grassroots, bottom-up initiatives, highlighting the importance of local knowledge and decentralized decision-making. It examines case studies and theoretical frameworks to understand how civil society can effectively address challenges without relying solely on top-down interventions from governments or large organizations.
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Media Capture
How Money, Digital Platforms, and Governments Control the News
Anya Schiffrin
The book examines the influence of powerful entities such as corporations, digital platforms, and governments on journalism and public discourse, highlighting the ways in which they exert control over news narratives. It explores the implications of this control for democracy and the free flow of information, offering insights into the changing media landscape and its impact on society.
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The Quest for Attention
Nonprofit Advocacy in a Social Media Age
Chao Guo|Gregory D. Saxton
The book examines how nonprofit organizations utilize social media platforms to compete for attention and influence public discourse and policy. It provides an analysis of social media strategies, engagement tactics, and the challenges faced by nonprofits in the digital age to effectively capture the attention of stakeholders and the public.
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Social Service, Private Gain
The Political Economy of Social Impact Bonds
Jesse Hajer|John Loxley
The book critically examines the concept of Social Impact Bonds (SIBs), financial instruments that aim to fund social services through private investment with the promise of public savings. It explores the implications of this approach on public service delivery, questioning the effectiveness and ethical considerations of blending private profit motives with social welfare objectives.
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Humanitarian Logistics
Meeting the Challenge of Preparing for and Responding to Disasters and Complex Emergencies
Graham Heaslip, Peter Tatham
The book provides an in-depth exploration of the processes and challenges involved in the preparation and execution of logistics in disaster relief and complex emergency situations. It covers topics such as supply chain management, coordination among agencies, and the use of technology and innovation to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian operations.
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Regions and the World Economy
The Coming Shape of Global Production, Competition, and Political Order: The Coming Shape of Global Production, Competition and Political Order
Allen J. Scott
The book examines the evolving global economic landscape, focusing on the role of regions in shaping production, competition, and governance. It discusses the impact of globalization on local economies and the emergence of new patterns of trade and political organization.
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Occupy
Danny Schechter
The book delves into the Occupy Wall Street movement, analyzing its origins, the wide array of participants, and the societal and economic issues it aimed to confront. It provides an in-depth look at the protests, the media coverage, and the impact of the movement on public discourse regarding inequality and corporate power.
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Gadget Consciousness
Collective Thought, Will and Action in the Age of Social Media
Joss Hands
The book explores the impact of digital technology and social media on collective consciousness, examining how gadgets shape human thought, will, and social action. It delves into the political implications of our interconnectedness through devices, questioning the potential for genuine collective movements in the digital age.
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Rebalancing Society
Radical Renewal Beyond Left, Right, and Center
Henry Mintzberg
The book argues that a balanced society requires a harmonious blend of public sector, private sector, and civil society forces, rather than dominance by any single sector. It critiques the prevailing imbalance towards the private sector and capitalism, advocating for a more equitable and sustainable approach to societal development.
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Can It Happen Here?
Authoritarianism in America
Cass R. Sunstein
The book is a collection of essays from various legal scholars, historians, and political theorists examining the risk of authoritarianism in the United States. It explores historical precedents, legal frameworks, and contemporary political trends to assess the resilience of American democracy against potential authoritarian threats.
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