The Global Encyclopaedia of Informality, Volume II: Understanding Social and Cultural Complexity (Fringe) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1787351904 ISBN 13: 9781787351905

Publisher: UCL Press, 2018

Synopsis

Broadly defined as "ways of getting things done," the invisible yet powerful concepts of "informal practices" tend to escape articulation in official discourse. These practices include emotion-driven exchanges of gifts or favours and tributes for services, interest-driven know-how (from informal welfare to informal employment), identity-driven practices of solidarity, and power-driven forms of co-optation and control. Yet, the possible paradox of the indiscernibility of these informal practices is their ubiquity. Alena Ledeneva's wholly unique two-volume work collaborates with over two hundred scholars across five continents, illustrating how informal practices are deeply embedded across the globe yet still remain underestimated in policy-making procedures.

About this title

About the Author

Alena Ledeneva is professor of politics and society in the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at UCL. She is best known for her studies of blat, corruption, and informal practices in Russia.

Review

"This unique work . . . illustrat[es] how informal practices are deeply embedded across the planet, playing a crucial role in truly 'getting anything done' while still remaining underestimated in policy-making procedures and business life. The book puts international human behavior into perspective, and is wholly mesmerizing." (Philadelphia magazine)

Edition details

• Publisher: UCL Press
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1787351904
• ISBN 13: 9781787351905
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 568
• Editor: Ledeneva Alena