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      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        April 2016

        Zionism in Arab discourses

        by Ofir Winter, Uriya Shavit

        Zionism in Arab discourses presents a ground-breaking study of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Through analyses of hundreds of texts written by Arab Islamists and liberals from the late-nineteenth century to the 'Arab Spring', the book demonstrates that the Zionist enterprise has played a dual function of an enemy and a mentor. Islamists and liberals alike discovered, respectively, in Zionism and in Israeli society qualities they sought to implement in their sown homelands. Focusing on Palestinian, Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian political discourses, this study uncovers fascinating and unexpected Arab points of views on different aspects of Zionism; from the first Zionist Congress to the First Lebanon War; from gardening in the early years of Tel Aviv to women's service in the Israeli Defence Forces; from the role of religion in the creation of the state to the role of democracy in its preservation. This study presents the debates between and within contesting Arab ideological trends on a conflict that has shaped, and is certain to continue and shape, one of the most complicated regions in the world. ;

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        March 2016

        Islamic charities and Islamic humanism in troubled times

        by Jonathan Benthall, Bertrand Taithe

        This book is the fruit of twenty years' reflection on Islamic charities, both practically and as a key to understand the crisis in contemporary Islam. On the one hand Islam is undervalued as a moral and political force whose admirable qualities are epitomised in its strong tradition of charitable giving. On the other hand, it suffers from a crisis of authority that cannot be blamed entirely on the history of colonialism and stigmatisation to which Muslims have undoubtedly been subjected - most recently, as a result of the "War on Terror". The book consists of seventeen previously published chapters, with a general introduction and new prefatory material for each chapter. Part one reviews the current situation of Islamic charities from many different viewpoints. Part two expands the coverage to explore the potential for a twenty-first century global "Islamic humanism" devised by Muslims. This means addressing contentious topics such as religious toleration. ;

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        March 2016

        Islamic charities and Islamic humanism in troubled times

        by Jonathan Benthall, Bertrand Taithe

        This book is the fruit of twenty years' reflection on Islamic charities, both practically and as a key to understand the crisis in contemporary Islam. On the one hand Islam is undervalued as a moral and political force whose admirable qualities are epitomised in its strong tradition of charitable giving. On the other hand, it suffers from a crisis of authority that cannot be blamed entirely on the history of colonialism and stigmatisation to which Muslims have undoubtedly been subjected - most recently, as a result of the "War on Terror". The book consists of seventeen previously published chapters, with a general introduction and new prefatory material for each chapter. Part one reviews the current situation of Islamic charities from many different viewpoints. Part two expands the coverage to explore the potential for a twenty-first century global "Islamic humanism" devised by Muslims. This means addressing contentious topics such as religious toleration. ;

      • Trusted Partner
        Rural communities
        November 2007

        Globalization and the Least Developed Countries

        Potentials and Pitfalls

        by Edited by David Bigman

        One of the most notable changes in the world economy during the past three decades has been the diverging trends in the growth of the developing countries. Compared to East Asian countries that have integrated well into the global economy, those of Sub-Saharan Africa have remained stagnant and have become the world's least developed area. The policies and programmes of international organizations have failed to improve the situation while the global economy becomes dominated by trans-national corporations. A review of the suitability of globalization as an economic strategy for these under-developed countries is therefore needed. Focusing on the impact of globalization and on the constraints imposed by the changes in the world's production and trade, this book examines the opportunities open to the least developed countries as they design their strategies to accelerate growth and alleviate poverty. As the world's awareness of issues concerning globalization grows, this study will provide valuable insights.

      • Trusted Partner
        Rural communities
        September 2007

        Sustainable Poverty Reduction in Less Favoured Areas

        by Edited by Ruerd Ruben, John Pender, Arie Kuyvenhoven

        Less-favoured areas with limited agricultural potential or difficult access conditions, support 40 percent of the world's rural population suffering from chronic poverty. While agricultural innovations and rural development programs have begun to be implemented within developing countries, they do not address the specific obstacles faced by this large population. Instead, a targeted approach is needed to identify different resource management strategies for particular types of households and communities as well as creating balanced investments aimed at sustainable intensification of rural livelihoods. Such efforts have been the focus of the research program on Regional Food Security Policies for Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Economies (RESPONSE). Through the study of less-favoured areas in Africa, Latin America, and South and East Asia, development pathways allowing for the careful adjustment of resource use strategies at the field, farm-household and village level are explored.

      • Trusted Partner
        Rural communities
        October 2006

        Going Organic

        Mobilizing Networks for Environmentally Responsible Food Production

        by Stewart Lockie, Kristen Lyons, Geoffrey Lawrence, Darren Halpin

        This book sets out to examine what really is going on in the organic sector socially and politically. In the process, it debunks a number of apparently common-sense beliefs: that organic consumers are wealthy environmental and health extremists; that growth in the industry will inevitably undermine its environmental values; that mainstream media is antagonistic to organics; and that the industry is driven by consumer demand. This book seeks to make a practical contribution to the development of more sustainable food systems by articulating what it takes to get people involved in organics at each stage of the food chain.

      • Trusted Partner
        Rural communities
        April 2006

        Development with Identity

        Community, Culture and Sustainability in the Andes

        by Edited by Robert E Rhoades

        Throughout Latin America, indigenous peoples are demanding that development must address local priorities, including ethnic identity. Simultaneously, sustainability scientists need to conduct place-based research on the interaction between environment and society that will have global relevance. This book reports on a 6 year interdisciplinary research project on natural resource management in Cotacachi, Ecuador, where scientists and indigenous groups learnt to seek common ground. The book discusses how local people and the environment have engaged each other over time to create contemporary Andean landscapes. It also explores human-environment interaction in relation to biodiversity, soils and water, and equitable development. This book will be of significant interest to sociologists, anthropologists, economists and sustainability scientists researching environment and agriculture in rural communities.

      • Trusted Partner
        Rural communities
        February 2006

        Rural Gender Relations

        Issues and Case Studies

        by Edited by Bettina Bock, Sally Shortall

        This book explores the gender effects of the current transformation of agriculture and rural life. Five themes are addressed: developments in rural gender theory and research methodology; changes in farm households; migration patterns of men and women in rural areas; the impact of national and international policies; and the construction of identities and definitions of femininity and masculinity as a result of rural change. Contributors include scholars from Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

      • Trusted Partner
        Rural communities
        December 2005

        Researching the Culture in Agri-Culture

        Social Research for International Agricultural Development

        by Edited by Michael M Cernea, Amir H Kassam

        This book analyzes the functions, content, methods, findings, and impacts of social and cultural researchcarried out by the worldwide network of 16 International Agricultural Research Centers of the CGIAR(Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research). Its two main parts -"insiders" and "outsiders"-bring together the perspectives of over 50 eminent scholars and social researchers from 30 countries,working within the Centers or within outside academic and development institutions. The authorsexamine critically the priorities, strengths, and weaknesses of research on the socio-structural, behavioural,cultural, and institutional variables of developing agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries. The studiesfocus on farmers' values, needs and knowledge, their patterns of social organization, issues of food security,natural resource management and poverty reduction. Alternative models of multidisciplinary research,reuniting biological, natural, economic and social sciences are scrutinized in the light of experience andresults, with emphasis on the nature of social science research as a source of international public goodsand a key contributor to induced development.

      • Trusted Partner
        Rural communities
        December 2005

        Researching the Culture in Agri-Culture

        Social Research for International Agricultural Development

        by Edited by Michael M Cernea, Amir H Kassam

        This book analyzes the functions, content, methods, findings, and impacts of social and cultural researchcarried out by the worldwide network of 16 International Agricultural Research Centers of the CGIAR(Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research). Its two main parts -"insiders" and "outsiders"-bring together the perspectives of over 50 eminent scholars and social researchers from 30 countries,working within the Centers or within outside academic and development institutions. The authorsexamine critically the priorities, strengths, and weaknesses of research on the socio-structural, behavioural,cultural, and institutional variables of developing agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries. The studiesfocus on farmers' values, needs and knowledge, their patterns of social organization, issues of food security,natural resource management and poverty reduction. Alternative models of multidisciplinary research,reuniting biological, natural, economic and social sciences are scrutinized in the light of experience andresults, with emphasis on the nature of social science research as a source of international public goodsand a key contributor to induced development.

      • Trusted Partner
        Rural communities
        April 2005

        Innovations in Rural Extension

        Case Studies from Bangladesh

        by Edited by Paul Van Mele, A Salahuddin, Noel P Magor

        During the past five years, the PETRRA (Poverty Elimination Through Rice Research Assistance) project has explored the development of innovative extension mechanisms through a learning-by-doing process with multiple service providers. Partnerships linked government, non-government and private sectors as appropriate. Topics addressed by the project include seed production and distribution systems, crop and soil fertility management, postharvest technologies, mobile pumps, aromatic rice and integrated rice-duck farming. The methods used include women-led group extension, whole family approach, participatory video, Going Public and picture songs. This book examines these approaches to extension and assesses their potential for replicability and scaling-up. It includes four thematic sections with people-centred case studies and a conclusion with practical applications of the transaction cost theory.

      • Trusted Partner
        Rural communities
        March 2003

        Local Partnerships for Rural Development

        The European Experience

        by Edited by Malcolm J Moseley

        This book has been developed from a report of the cross-national 'PRIDE' (Partnerships for Rural Integrated Development in Europe) research project. The research focused on the public and private sector rural development experience of six member states of the European Union, namely Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

      • Trusted Partner
        Rural communities
        May 2002

        Contracting for Agricultural Extension

        International Case Studies and Emerging Practices

        by Edited by William M Rivera, Willem Zijp

        In many countries of the world agricultural extension services are shifting from the public to the private sector. Services are thus being contracted out, to improve the financing and delivery of agricultural knowledge.The book presents a range of case studies from Australia, Bangladesh, Chile, China, Germany, Mozambique, USA and others, that are presented to demonstrate the range of approaches. Topics covered include off-loading public sector extension delivery services, contracting to improve environmental services and farmers contracting for commercial advisory services.This volume presents work developed by the Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems (AKIS) Thematic Group of the World Bank, in collaboration with the University of Maryland, to examine contracting for extension services.

      • Trusted Partner
        Jewish studies
        July 2013

        Anglo-Jewry since 1066

        Place, locality and memory

        by Tony Kushner

        Anglo-Jewry since 1066: Place, locality and memory is a study of the history and memory of Anglo-Jewry from medieval times to the present and is the first to explore the construction of identities, both Jewish and non-Jewish, in relation to the concept of place. The introductory chapters provide a theoretical overview focusing on the nature of local studies then moves into a chronological frame, starting with medieval Winchester, moving to early modern Portsmouth and then chapters covering the evolution of Anglo-Jewry from emancipation to the twentieth century. Emphasis is placed on the impact on identities resulting from the complex relationship between migration (including transmigration) and settlement of minority groups. Drawing upon a wide range of approaches, including history, cultural and literary studies, geography, Jewish and ethnic and racial studies, Kushner uses extensive sources including novels, poems, art, travel literature, autobiographical writing, official documentation, newspapers and census data. This book will appeal to scholars interested in Jewish studies and British history

      • Trusted Partner
        Jewish studies
        July 2013

        Anglo-Jewry since 1066

        Place, locality and memory

        by Tony Kushner

        Anglo-Jewry since 1066: Place, locality and memory is a study of the history and memory of Anglo-Jewry from medieval times to the present and is the first to explore the construction of identities, both Jewish and non-Jewish, in relation to the concept of place. The introductory chapters provide a theoretical overview focusing on the nature of local studies then moves into a chronological frame, starting with medieval Winchester, moving to early modern Portsmouth and then chapters covering the evolution of Anglo-Jewry from emancipation to the twentieth century. Emphasis is placed on the impact on identities resulting from the complex relationship between migration (including transmigration) and settlement of minority groups. Drawing upon a wide range of approaches, including history, cultural and literary studies, geography, Jewish and ethnic and racial studies, Kushner uses extensive sources including novels, poems, art, travel literature, autobiographical writing, official documentation, newspapers and census data. This book will appeal to scholars interested in Jewish studies and British history

      • Trusted Partner
        Jewish studies
        July 2012

        Anglo-Jewry since 1066

        Place, locality and memory

        by Tony Kushner

        Anglo-Jewry since 1066: Place, locality and memory is a study of the history and memory of Anglo-Jewry from medieval times to the present and is the first to explore the construction of identities, both Jewish and non-Jewish, in relation to the concept of place. The introductory chapters provide a theoretical overview focusing on the nature of local studies then moves into a chronological frame, starting with medieval Winchester, moving to early modern Portsmouth and then chapters covering the evolution of Anglo-Jewry from emancipation to the twentieth century. Emphasis is placed on the impact on identities resulting from the complex relationship between migration (including transmigration) and settlement of minority groups. Drawing upon a wide range of approaches, including history, cultural and literary studies, geography, Jewish and ethnic and racial studies, Kushner uses extensive sources including novels, poems, art, travel literature, autobiographical writing, official documentation, newspapers and census data. This book will appeal to scholars interested in Jewish studies and British history

      • Trusted Partner
        Ethnic minorities & multicultural studies
        January 2015

        Class, ethnicity and religion in the Bengali East End

        A political history

        by Sarah Glynn

        This exploration of one of the most concentrated immigrant communities in Britain combines a fascinating narrative history, an original theoretical analysis of the evolving relationship between progressive left politics and ethnic minorities, and an incisive critique of political multiculturalism. It recounts and analyses the experiences of many of those who took part in over six decades of political history that range over secular nationalism, trade unionism, black radicalism, mainstream local politics, Islamism and the rise and fall of the Respect Coalition. Through this Bengali case study and examples from wider immigrant politics, it traces the development and adoption of the concepts of popular frontism, revolutionary stages theory and identity politics. It demonstrates how these theories and tactics have cut across class-based organisation and acted as an impediment to addressing socio-economic inequality; and it argues for a left materialist alternative. It will appeal equally to sociologists, political activists and local historians.

      • Trusted Partner
        Ethnic minorities & multicultural studies
        January 2015

        Class, ethnicity and religion in the Bengali East End

        A political history

        by Sarah Glynn

        This exploration of one of the most concentrated immigrant communities in Britain combines a fascinating narrative history, an original theoretical analysis of the evolving relationship between progressive left politics and ethnic minorities, and an incisive critique of political multiculturalism. It recounts and analyses the experiences of many of those who took part in over six decades of political history that range over secular nationalism, trade unionism, black radicalism, mainstream local politics, Islamism and the rise and fall of the Respect Coalition. Through this Bengali case study and examples from wider immigrant politics, it traces the development and adoption of the concepts of popular frontism, revolutionary stages theory and identity politics. It demonstrates how these theories and tactics have cut across class-based organisation and acted as an impediment to addressing socio-economic inequality; and it argues for a left materialist alternative. It will appeal equally to sociologists, political activists and local historians.

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