Focusing on the processes of rescaling in Europe, this volume offers a fresh analytical perspective that intertwines themes of democracy, governmental efficacy, and social solidarity. It explores how these elements interact and shape the political landscape, providing insights into contemporary challenges and developments within European governance.
Featuring over 150 vibrant photographs, this book captures the essence of high school basketball in Indiana, celebrating the sport's deep-rooted connection to the state. It includes compelling stories that highlight the passion and culture surrounding basketball, making it a heartfelt tribute to both the game and its fans.
The book delves into the complexities of transnational integration and its impact on the nation-state, highlighting the emergence of stateless nationalisms and the need for new frameworks for their accommodation. It advocates for a profound reexamination of sovereignty and statehood in light of the dual demands for national recognition and democratic governance. Through the lens of four plurinational states—United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, and Canada—as well as the European Union, the author explores the challenges and implications of plurinationalism.
The book explores the stark divide between winners and losers in advanced economies, attributing increased inequality and financial instability to technological change and globalization. It critically examines whether the Australian political system can effectively address these challenges and whether voters will endorse necessary reforms. By igniting a vital debate, it aims to stimulate action towards creating a fairer economic landscape.
Scotland is a country of strong progressive traditions and could be a model for a renewed social democracy. Devolution has given it a chance to show what a small self-governing nation, within a wider British and European Union, can do. Yet the authors of this volume are disappointed by the lack of policy innovation since 1999. In an effort to relaunch the debate, they offer a range of ideas for new thinking and new policies for Scotland of the twenty-first century. Whether independent or devolved, Scotland faces the same challenge: how to harness the energies of the nation and to combine economic competitiveness with social cohesion.
This important new textbook centres on the theme of the state in Europe, its structures and policy capacity, and its relation to civil society. After an introductory chapter addressing issues such as conceptions of the state, bureaucracy, interest groups, patronage and political currents, the book continues with chapters focusing on four large, well-established democracies - the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Germany. This is followed by a chapter on Spain, a historic state that has chosen Europe as its theme and guide for its efforts at political, economic and social modernization. Each of these chapters includes discussions of state and government in the country concerned, parties and elections, policy making and territorial policies. The volume concludes with an assessment of European integration, the structure of the Community, and its aims and policies. The text incorporates extensive data on policy and politics, in the form of tables and charts, as well as additional information in the statistical index, so as to encourage students to make their own judgements and to learn to assess and interpret quantitative material.