The Oxford Companion to Politics of the World - Hardcover

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9780195059342: The Oxford Companion to Politics of the World

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195059344 ISBN 13: 9780195059342

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1993

Will the end of superpower rivalry bring greater international harmony--or more volatile and dangerously unpredictable conflicts? Where two massive spheres of influence once divided the globe, now regional conflicts erupt into scenes of tragedy and confusion. In Africa, the new Europe, Asia, and the Americas, nations chart a bold course toward democracy. But they cannot break free of old divisions, as ethnic nationalism emerges amidst economic devastation. Indeed, nations everywhere, however powerful, are buffeted on every side. Their sovereignty is checked by the global economy as well as powerful regional economic and political blocs. At a time of exceptional ferment, Oxford is pleased to present the most authoritative, timely, in-depth reference available for understanding the people, nations, conflicts, movements, institutions, and issues that dominate the world political stage.
Edited by a team of eminent political scientists, The Oxford Companion to Politics of the World provides readers the depth of coverage, the historical contexts, and the richness of interpretation needed to come to terms with today's volatile international scene. Drawing on the insights of nearly 500 authors from more than 40 countries, the volume provides comprehensive coverage of international affairs and domestic politics throughout the world.
Articles discuss virtually every nation in the world, and include extensive information on institutions, political parties, leaders, and the sources of political mobilization and conflict. The volume also includes biographies of more than seventy-five political leaders and thinkers who have shaped the contemporary political world, and detailed discussions of critical historical developments and events, concepts, international law, and organizations. For example, there is a biography of Richard M. Nixon by Garry Wills and one of Winston Churchill by Martin Gilbert; an essay on development and underdevelopment by Claude Ake; an article on human rights by Aryeh Neier; coverage of such subjects as Hiroshima, sovereignty, and the International Court of Justice by Richard Falk. Todd Gitlin writes on the New Left, Anthony Lake on the Vietnam War, and Robert B. Reich on deindustrialization. Charlotte Bunch examines feminism, and Zhores A. Medvedev explains Chernobyl.
The Companion also presents major interpretive essays treating seminal contemporary themes such as ethnicity, nationalism, war, gender and politics, and environmentalism, essays that offer readers a deeper, more substantial understanding of headlines day after day. Drawn from a wide range of disciplines, including political science, economics, women's studies, law, anthropology, history, and business, the contributors to the volume provide factual information, new insights, and fresh interpretations as they consider the critical political developments of the twentieth century.
The Oxford Companions have long been respected for their lively and informative presentation of the finest scholarship. (Harper's has called the "the best reference books in the language.") The Oxford Companion to Politics of the World maintains this high standard in an accessible, timely, thought-provoking, and comprehensive reference that captures the complexity, vitality, and endless fascination of contemporary world affairs.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

About the Editors:
Joel Krieger (Editor in Chief) is Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science, Wellesley College.
Editors are William A. Joseph (Wellesley College), Miles Kahler (University of California, San Diego), Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja (Howard University), Barbara B. Stallings (University of Wisconsin), and Margaret Weir (Brookings Institute). James A. Paul is Consulting Editor.

Review:

"For students of politics, this book is a keeper, well into the next century."--Mansour O. El-Kikhia, Professor of Political Science, University of Texas

"With entries that range from 'Abdel Nasser, Gamai" to 'Zionism," this 1,056-page encyclopedia isn't just a reference tool for scholars but a handy guide to anyone who is trying to understand the day's headlines."--The Cleveland Plain Dealer

"This new work focuses on such broad themes and topics as the social basis of politics, national and international organizations and institutions, law, foreign policy, economic and social policy, links between international and domestic issues, and the politics of change....One of the
strengths of this work is its coverage of the conflicts and issues that are headlines in the news, both today and in the recent past....The companion will be Consulted for authoritative information on international issues and organizations, domestic conflicts in countries around the globe, forms of
government and institutions, historical events, and biographical sketches of persons important in international affairs....Will be welcome in public and academic libraries."--Booklist

"I consider The Oxford Companion to Politics of the World an excellent initiative and a happy omen. It provides a remarkably timely and comprehensive resource for making sense of contemporary affairs from a genuinely international perspective. The reader--whether scholar, diplomat, or
curious citizen--will not only learn to be more realistic about the difficulties that the world faces, but will also learn new ways by which together we can surmount them."--Javier Perez de Cuellar, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations

"The need for a guide to international and domestic politics in our rapidly changing world has never been more prevalent. The Oxford Companion to Politics of the World is a unique volume that offers the widest range of perspectives and hence constitutes the perfect resource for even the most
experienced decision makers. I recommend it to everyone interested or involved in the events of our day."--Oscar Arias, President of Costa Rica, 1986-1990, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 1987

"Oxford University Press' latest contribution to world scholarship....An encyclopedia, biographical dictionary and gazetteer all in one, an intelligent guide to an unintelligible world."--The Boston Globe

"Impressive....Combining the best elements of many standard reference works, this volume will become indispensable."--Library Journal

NOTE: Hoffmann is one of the contributors--should we use this quote?

"A useful, compact and comprehensive guide to contemporary politics in all their aspects--conceptual, historical, national, personal, etc...It will be a fine working instrument for scholars and for the general public."--Stanley Hoffmann, Harvard University

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.