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"As one of the pioneers of the field of ancient DNA, Dr. Lalueza-Fox has witnessed its evolution from a technical curiosity to a field that holds enormous future potential. There are few better placed to give an introduction to the topic of de-extinction." -- Marcus Thomas Pius Gilbert, professor at the Center for GeoGenetics in Denmark and world expert in paleogenomics and de-extinction. "Lalueza-Fox is an expert in the recovery and analysis of ancient DNA, which means he is more than qualified to discuss some of the major technical challenges to bringing extinct species back to life" -- Dr. Beth Shapiro, evolutionary biologist. Few things seem as irreversible as death, whether for an individual or a species. But what would happen if death was reversible, if we could bring back to life something similar to the species that became extinct in the past? Recent developments in various techniques in molecular biology, among them cloning, synthetic genomes and genetic editing, have led to the emergence of a field of research that is in pursuit of de-extinction. This is a controversial ambition that presents far-reaching scientific, ethical, economic and social challenges. Even so, its proponents defend it as one of the possible ways to restore ecosystems and even fight against climate change. Explained over the course of this book are the possibilities for de-extinction and how they could transform the global ecosystem in the future. ABOUT THE SERIES: Quick Immersions uses accurate and straightforward language to offer a good introduction, or deeper knowledge, on diverse issues, as well-structured texts by prestigious authors delve into the worlds of political and social sciences, philosophy, science and the humanities.

Populisms. A Quick Immersion analyzes populism globally and through the lens of Latin America, where populists have governed since the 1930s and 1940s up to the present. When populism is analyzed globally, the novelty is not its presence in most regions of the world. After all, populists have challenged the power of political and economic elites since the nineteenth century, and the first self-described Populist Party was formed in the U.S. in 1891. What is new is that populists are in office not only in Venezuela, Bolivia, the Philippines and Turkey but also in the U.S. as well as other consolidated Western liberal democracies like Italy. By learning from the experiences of populism in the global south, citizens, activists, journalists and politicians in the global north might avoid making the same mistakes when dealing with populists in power.ENDORSEMENTS "Populisms explains and expands upon the definition of populism. Few books touch a contemporary nerve quite like this one." - Benjamin Welton, Foreword Reviews "Carlos de la Torre offers the reader a masterly overview of populism as a political set of disruptive and mobilizing events, as well as a subject of sustained and diversified academic debate. The book integrates Latin America into the mainstream of populism studies and identifies its proper place in the complex web of overlapping and competing populist ideologies and strategies. By providing tools for understanding populism's left-wing alongside its right-wing variants, and by identifying the interlocking roles of reason, emotion, rhetoric, and fantasy in fashioning the worldwide, interconnected appeal -and dangers- of populist discourses, the author has written a highly persuasive, timely and readable analysis." - Michael Freeden, editor of the Journal of Political Ideologies "Carlos de la Torre's book offers an excellent introduction to populism, great current political issue. After a clear conceptual orientation follows a subtle and systematic analysis of populist leadership and the links between charismatic leaders and their followers. The work culminates in a deep and balanced discussion of the impact of populism about democracy. Convincingly, de la Torre demonstrates that despite their promises of democratic inclusion and popular participation, populism has a high risk of authoritarian involution. With all these arguments, this short book has enormous value as an explanation accessible from populism and deserves a very wide circle of readers". - Kurt Weyland, Mike Hogg Professor in Liberal Arts, Department of Government, University of Texas at Austin "This is an essential book by the major scholar of Latin American populism." - Federico Finchelstein, author of From Fascism to Populism in History "De la Torre expertly analyzes recent populist leaders, such as Donald Trump, by drawing on his deep knowledge of populism in the global south, especially Latin America. In this lively book, concepts are clearly explained and illustrated with rich case studies of populist movements, making it ideal for introductory courses on politics." Karen Kampwirth, Robert W. Murphy Professor of Political Science, Knox College

ENDORSEMENTS .Roger Griffin has given us a masterful, concise guide to one of the most complicated ideological conundrums to emerge from the 20th-century. By analyzing fascism as a political ideology whose mythic core in its various permutations is a regenerative form of populist ultranationalism, Griffin provides us with the critical means to evaluate both the history of fascism's global appeal and its ominous, contemporary manifestations . Mark Antliff. Anne Murnick Cogan Professor, Duke University . This deceptively short book, written by the world's leading authority on fascism, shows how a cogent definition based on serious engagement with its devastating inter-war history allows it to be distinguished from other forms of today's right-wing politics. It thus provides much needed clarity to the terms we use when assessing the mounting dangers to a truly liberal democracy. David Roberts, Emeritus Professor at the University of Georgia . With a droll yet direct approach Griffin sweeps away the cobwebs currently obscuring the concept of fascism. His discussion of 'Four key processes affecting post-war revisions of fascism' is alone worth the purchase price of this remarkable book. Chip Berlet .SUMMARY Seventy-five years ago, George Orwell complained that there was no accepted definition of fascism, lamenting that "we shall not get one - not yet, anyway." In the media, the blogosphere, and in public commentary, little has changed. But for those intrigued and infuriated by the word, this book brings welcome news as it takes stock of the confusion surrounding the term before introducing the succinct but powerful working definition that now serves as the premise of the flourishing international and multilingual field of comparative fascism. This definition is then applied to providing a survey of the 'fascist era, ' showing how it helps explain the initial success of Fascism and horrific destructive power unleashed by the Third Reich, even while so many movements withered on the vine or became Nazi puppets.

"Anti-immigrant sentiments are high across the globe. Citizens are concerned about the failure of politicians to show effective leadership on migration. Ill-informed understanding of migration-and resulting xenophobia and racism against refugees and immigrants-has people turn to populist politicians who wish to bring back protectionism, reverse globalization, and erect walls and fences. In this book, I want to dispel some of the misperceptions that migrants are the source of societal ills and provide non-specialists with a basic understanding of the phenomenon of international migration to be able to engage in constructive debates on refugees and migrants"--

"Since the 1980s chaos has been the subject of great interest both in scientific research and in public consciousness. Chaos as played roles in books and movies such as Jurassic Park and Bellwether and has been the subject of numerous popularizations. But what is chaos-better characterized as chaotic dynamics-really? How much of an impact does it have on everyday life? This book explores these questions and more, introducing you to the basics of chaos as mathematicians and scientists study it and apply it. There are a lot of buzzwords surrounding chaotic dynamics such as "butterfly effect" and "strange attractors," and much discussion about whether chaos has shattered scientific dreams of a predictable world. This book will help you understand these buzzwords and their excitement, what limitations there are for predictability, and the wisdom scientists have learned from studying chaos. You will come away with a deeper appreciation of the intricacy and surprising order of our world"--