Bøker utgitt av Pluto Press

The positive and negative effects of the Celtic Tiger

North Korea's development and testing of nuclear weapons made headlines in the Western media, but is the country really a threat to the rest of the world? *BR**BR*This accessible introduction examines the country's history and focuses on whether the threat is realistic or exaggerated by the US in order to gain international support for the controversial missile defence system. It also shows what the EU can do to engage with North Korea and counterbalance the US policy of isolationism.*BR**BR*North Korea is struggling to survive in the face of US threats of pre-emptive action and regime change by developing its own Weapons of Mass Destruction. For the EU, the challenge is to resolve this stand-off, providing North Korea with sufficient security guarantees to enable them to give up their nuclear weapons, and enough assistance to enable the economic and social reforms that the country so desperately needs.

Examines the influence of McCarthyism and the CIA on anthropology in the cold war era.

Fair trade is a growing global movement. A huge and widening range of fair trade goods are now available in the shops. Why is fair trade so important? This book provides 50 reasons why buying fair trade delivers a host of benefits to people and the planet. It's an inspiring account of how every consumer can play a part in improving and even saving lives and making global trade work better for poor people.*BR**BR*Did you know that buying fair trade:*BR*-- Helps eradicate sweatshops*BR*-- Helps end child labour*BR*-- Reduces the debt burden on developing countries' farmers*BR*-- Ensures small-scale farmers can earn a living wage*BR*-- Supports and protects the environment?*BR**BR*This book provides a critical guide to international trade and shows that fair trade presents a realistic and positive alternative for farmers and producers in developing countries. By improving schools, healthcare and working conditions, the fair trade movement has already saved lives and empowered whole communities. This book shows how every consumer can help make a difference in the fight to end poverty and inequality.

Have you ever wanted to know:*BR*- Which doctor has the best operation success rate in your health trust?*BR*- If MI5 has a file on you?*BR*- The actual number and type of crimes that happen in your street?*BR*- Which streets are targeted by parking attendants in your area?*BR*- Which buildings have failed their fire safety inspections?*BR**BR*The public had no right to most of this information - until now. In 2005 the Freedom of Information Act came into force giving the British public a legal right, for the first time, to access information from more than 100,000 public authorities. But in order to take advantage of this new right you first have to know who holds the information and how to get it. This guide gives you the tools you need to get the information you want.*BR**BR*This edition comes with a new foreword by Ian Hislop.

The world's leading climate campaigners offer practical solutions on climate change

This is the book Tony Blair doesn't want you to read

Oil is the lifeblood of modern economics. It is the precious resource at the heart of empire-building, from the British empire to the American empire today and underpins the world's financial markets. But seventy per cent of the world's oil supplies lie under the sands of the Middle East, which begs the question: did the US invade Iraq to grab Iraq's oil? *BR**BR*Written by an influential oil consultant, with experience of working in both the US and Arab oil industries, this book provides a rare insight into the real motivations behind US intervention in the Arab world, and the relationship between the US and the Arab states. Zalloum provides a historical account of the roots of today's involvement, analysing US intervention in the Arab World since the 19th century. *BR**BR*The book offers a unique perspective on how the US is viewed in the Arab region and how progress should be made if real peace and stability are to be brokered.

Genocide is commonly understood to be a terrible aberration in human behaviour, performed by evil, murderous regimes such as the Nazis and dictators like Suharto and Pinochet. John Docker argues that the roots of genocide go far deeper into human nature than most people realise.*BR**BR*Genocide features widely in the Bible, the literature of ancient Greece and Rome, and debates about the Enlightenment. These texts are studied in depth to trace the origins of violence through time and across civilisations. Developing the groundbreaking work of Raphael Lemkin, who invented the term 'genocide', Docker guides us from the dawn of agricultural society, through classical civilisation to the present, showing that violence between groups has been integral to all periods of history.*BR**BR*This revealing book will be of great interest to those wishing to understand the roots of genocide and why it persists in the modern age.

Australia is one of the US's most staunch supporters: Australia has sent troops to Iraq, and is an ally in the 'war on terror'. Australian domestic policy also follows the US economic model, as state industries and services have been privatised. Erik Paul dissects the relationship between Australia and the US. He explores how Australia has become a key player in maintaining American dominance in South East Asia, and looks critically at the contrast between the Australian wealth and the comparative poverty of surrounding nations. Examining the influence of neoconservative imperialism on Australia's economic and military strategies, he draws some startling conclusions about future Australian relationships in East Asia, in particular, its relationship with China.

This book offers an in-depth historical perspective on the rise of capitalism, written by one of the leading scholars of the Global South. *BR**BR*Arguing that globalisation is poorly understood, it offers a new synthesis of political and economic theory that sheds light on the consequences of rapid industrialisation world wide. *BR**BR*Writing from outside the usual Western perspective, the book challenges many of the usual preconceptions about the impact of globalisation.

Leading Marxist thinkers re-evaluate Trotsky's key theories

This book explains the complex origins and evolution of Sri Lanka's civil war and the resulting massive civilian displacement. It is an account of frontline conditions during a critical period and an overview of the alternating warfare and ceasefires during the last fifteen years. *BR**BR*William Clarance analyses the scope for protecting civilians in a war zone and its implications for UN policy. He argues that Washington's bullying of the UN ironically proves the points it seeks to demolish: the indispensibility of UN legitimacy and the professionalism of its field agencies. *BR**BR*He urges the need to adopt a more actively engaged role to protect civilians in intrastate conflict, the better to address global problems such as the outflow of refugees and asylum seekers it triggers and the seeds of international terrorism it sows.

Selected writings of one of the leading cultural theorists of our time

The story of the longest legal proceedings in British history in the raw words of those most intimately involved.

"e;TI has once again shown its ability to combine research and policy analysis not just to shine a light on the deeply embedded problems of corruption ... but to propose progressive solutions."e; Former World Bank President James Wolfensohn on the Global Corruption ReportIn the health sector, corruption is a matter of life or death. It can take many forms: from medical professionals who sell medicines or services that should be freely available, to high-level government officials who embezzle money from health budgets, to pharmaceutical companies that buy influence over research agendas. The impact of corruption is always felt by the end user -- the sick person who is forced to pay over the odds or who is given unsafe, counterfeit medicines. The 2006 edition of Transparency International's Global Corruption Report shows the impact that corruption has on health care in rich and poor countries. From high-level bribery in Costa Rica to informal payments in Hungary, case studies from around the world explore the characteristics of the health sector that make it so prone to corruption. In a special section dedicated to corruption in HIV/AIDS, the report warns that the large sums being poured into fighting the world's deadliest diseases need to be safeguarded against abuse. There is also a detailed analysis of the problems of the pharmaceutical system.The report also offers an annual round-up of worldwide developments and tracks major trends in more than 40 countries.The Global Corruption Report 2006 is the only report of its kind, and is an essential reference source for anyone who wants the latest research on how corruption affects everything from health to education and the oil and gas industries.

The political dynamics of the European Union can often appear confusing, shrouded as they are in complex legislative processes. This book offers a clear and thorough critical introduction to the origins, development and current direction of the EU, and pinpoints the major policy debates animating decision-makers.*BR**BR*This revised and updated edition offers a well-illustrated analysis of each of the EU's major policy areas, and covers arguments both for and against the EU. McGiffen explores subjects including enlargement, internal and external security, the Euro, trade, the environment, employment, transport and regional policy. He explains how and why the debate about membership is frequently and falsely presented as if it were a conflict between 'nationalism' and 'internationalism', and argues instead that the EU is merely one of a number of possible solutions to the the economic and political problems facing Europe.*BR**BR*Published in association with Spectre.

The struggle between Israel and the Palestinians is not unique, whatever the media may suggest. Lorenzo Veracini argues that the conflict is best understood in terms of colonialism, as like many other societies, Israel is a settler society. Looking at the evolution of other colonial regimes - apartheid South Africa, French Algeria and Australia - Veracini presents a thoughtful interpretation of the dynamics of colonialism.*BR**BR*He challenges two important myths: firstly, that the Israeli-Palestinian dispute is unique and defies comparative approaches; and secondly that the struggle is mainly based in nationality and religion and therefore different to typical colonial conflicts. *BR**BR*Comparing and contrasting 'official' apartheid regimes with the more recent history of Israel and Palestine, he offers a critical perspective on colonialism as well as important new insights into patterns of imperialism today.

This is the first book to focus on the plight of the Kurds in Syria. The Kurds are Syria's largest minority, and continue to be subject to extreme human rights abuses. Along with Kerim Yildiz's other recent books -- The Kurds in Iraq, and the Kurds in Turkey -- this builds on his comprehensive analysis of the current human rights situation for the largest ethnic group worldwide without its own state. *BR* *BR*Yildiz examines the contemporary situation of the Syrian Kurds in the context of Syria's own history, and the present situation where it is outlawed as a terrorist state by the USA. Fifty percent of Syria's income now goes on military spending -- for Syria feels threatened by her neighbours, and this is mirrored in the way minorities are treated within the country.*BR**BR*Covering all aspects of Kurdish life including language, education, religion and history, Yildiz offers a unique insight into the human rights situation of the Kurds in Syria.

'As Americans, we need to face up to our own reliance on nuclear intimidation. This is an important book for Americans of all political stripes to read.' Cynthia Enloe, author of The Curious Feminist: Searching for Women in a New Age of Empire"e;At a time when nuclear weapons are increasingly in the political spotlight, this book is essential reading ... Joseph Gerson has provided a work of the utmost importance: a key to understanding - and challenging - US global domination and its nuclear core."e; Kate Hudson, Chair, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament"e;Brilliant. I have not read a more important book in many years. Gerson has uncovered the radioactive vein in our secret foreign policy. ... Gerson's work helps us understand why the likelihood of nuclear war is greater now than before the fall of the Berlin Wall. A terrific book."e; Daniel Ellsberg, former senior Pentagon official and co-author of The Pentagon Papers The United States is the only country to have dropped the atomic bomb. Since the A-bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, every U.S. president has threatened nuclear war.This concise history shows how the U.S. has used nuclear weapons to bolster its imperial ambitions. Leading nuclear specialist and peace campaigner Joseph Gerson explains why atomic weapons were first built and used -- and how the U.S. uses them today to preserve its global empire. Gerson reveals how and why the U.S. made more than twenty threats of nuclear attack during the Cold War -- against Russia, China, Vietnam, and the Middle East. He shows how such theats continued under Presidents Bush and Clinton, and George W. Bush.The book concludes with an appeal for nuclear weapons abolition and an overview of the history of the anti-nuclear movement. Drawing from a wide range of sources, this fascinating and timely account shows how the U.S. has used nuclear weapons to dominate the world.

With a foreword by Noam Chomsky, this is the most up-to-date critical analysis of the problems faced by the Kurds in Turkey. *BR**BR*Turkey has a long history of human rights abuses against its Kurdish population - a population that stretches into millions. This human rights record is one of the main stumbling blocks in Turkey's efforts to join the EU. The Kurds are denied many basic rights, including the right to learn or broadcast in their own language. *BR**BR*This book, written by a leading human rights defender, provides a comprehensive account of the key issues now facing the Kurds, and the prospects for Turkey joining the EU. Kerim Yildiz outlines the background to the current situation and explores a range of issues including civil, cultural and political rights, minority rights, internal displacement, and the international community's obligations regarding Turkey.

Language Wars is a fascinating account of the relationship between the media, culture and new forms of global, political violence. Using an innovative approach, Jeff Lewis shows how language and the media are implicated in global terrorism and the US-led reprisals in the war on terror. *BR**BR*Through an examination of the language of terrorism and war, Lewis illuminates key events in the current wave of political violence - the 9/11 attacks on New York and the Pentagon, the Beslan siege, the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, the Bali bombings and the ongoing occupation in the Middle East. He argues that the language used to report incidents of violence has changed, not just in official channels but in wider cultural contexts, and shows the impact this has on social perceptions. Lewis deconstructs these new discourses to reveal how Islam has been construed as the antagonist of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Ideal for students of media studies and cultural studies, this is a subtle account of the relation between language and culture that exposes a dangerous new east-west divide in popular discourse.

--A revised and expanded edition of this acclaimed introduction to political thought--*BR**BR*'Reliable and fair... Clear, relaxed, jargon-free and often attractively witty.' The Philosopher*BR**BR*'A handbook of the history of political philosophy.' CHOICE*BR**BR*"e;The central advantages of this book are undoubtedly its lucidity, range and unorthodox approach. ... This wide range is covered with surprising agility and clarity. The book offers an engaging account of political philosophy where great schools of thought are audaciously summarised in a paragraph or two."e; Times Higher Education Supplement*BR**BR*Guiding the reader through the key arguments of the classic figures of Western political philosophy, from Plato through to the modern era, this revised edition includes new essays on Aristotle's 'Politics', Confucianism, Islamic social philosophy and Nazism, as well as additional material on 'Roman Law', Anarchism and 'anti-capitalism'.*BR**BR*Cohen moves chronologically through the development of political philosophy. He presents key texts in their own terms, before offering short, precise analyses of their strengths, weaknesses and influence. The book finishes with a discussion of modern liberalism and conservatism.*BR**BR*Providing both a broad overview and precise summaries of key ideas, this is an invaluable guide for all students of political thought.

Why is fear a dominant emotion in contemporary society? Why are politicians using words like 'terror', 'evil' and 'fundamentalism', and what effect is it having on public consciousness?*BR**BR*This book taps into the cultural psyche to explore the link between ideology and emotional and psychological manipulation. It shows that the Bush administration has been hugely successful in controlling and developing a new political climate through the creation of an almost hypnotic mass consciousness. *BR**BR*From the sado-masochist hysteria of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ to the atrocities at Abu Ghraib prison; and from the genocidal use of depleted uranium in Iraq to the apocalyptic language driving the Christian Right's assault on basic human rights.*BR**BR*Davis's findings take us to the heart of the ideological paralysis of the Left, while offering an innovative approach to understanding contemporary history.

Why the concept of individuality is important to people

Why the concept of individuality is important to people

This book explores the way that neoliberal policies have formed the basis of political transformation in Poland, championed by both post-communist and post-Solidarity governments. *BR**BR*Poland was central to the historic changes that took place across Eastern Europe at the end of the Cold War. It is the largest economy in the region, and was at the forefront of opposition to communism. Since then, neoliberal policies have controlled the country.*BR**BR*This book assesses the impact of these policies, the role of capital in the form of transnational corporations and foreign direct investment. The revival of trade unions and growth of new social movements are also explored as they challenge Poland's new capitalism.

This is a comprehensive analysis of three decades of neoliberal policies in Chile, from the Pinochet dictatorship until today.*BR**BR*Chile is often described as a 'model' of neoliberal development policy. Marcus Taylor questions this description. Examining the contradictions of neoliberlism, he demonstrates how it has created a society that is deeply ridden with inequalities.*BR**BR*Taylor shows how the tensions that arose from this social inequality led to the emergence of a 'Third Way' neoliberalism in the post-dictatorship period. Taylor argues that this new development paradigm has failed. This is a result of the inability of 'Third Way' neoliberalism to transform social relationships and institutions.*BR**BR*The nature of this failure affects the direction of popular movements for social change in Latin America during a time of renewed social and political upheaval.

Leading writers expose the scandalous world of corporate spin and its impact on media freedom, democracy and the health of our planet

What is the state and how can we best study it?