"An innovative blend of theory and empirical material that accessibly introduces the politics of what was once called the "third world""--
Authors December Green and Laura Luermann are both professors of political science at Wright State University. In this work for students, they lay out theoretical and empirical dimensions of politics in the Global South. The book takes a comparative approach to the study of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, employing eight country case studies throughout the book. Two country cases are chosen for each region, with each pair consisting of one country commonly studied and one less-studied country: China and Indonesia, Iran and Egypt, Mexico and Peru, and Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The book begins with one-page country profiles offering maps and key facts. The rest of the book is divided into sections on historical legacies, economic realities, politics and political change, and international affairs. At the end of each section is a full chapter linking concepts with cases of each country, along with reflection questions. B&w charts, graphics, and maps are included, plus a glossary. This fifth edition is revised to reflect current economic and development problems, regime transitions, terrorist movements, populism, nationalism, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Annotation ©2022 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
Praise for the previous editions:
This book outshines any other text I have seen.... The authors do a wonderful job of synthesizing a great deal of information and presenting it in terms that should engage an audience of undergraduates. Dwight Hahn, John Carroll University
The writing style is lively and the detail is impressive.... another welcome innovation is the welding together of the discussion of key issues with the eight country cases. Ross Burkhart, Boise State University
December Green and Laura Luehrmann show how history, economics, and politics converge to create the realities of life in the Global South.
In this new edition, the authors continue to offer an innovative blend of theory and empirical material as they introduce the politics of what was once called the third world. They consistently link theoretical concepts to a set of eight contemporary case studies: China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, and Zimbabwe.
A central theme throughout the new edition is how the Covid-19 pandemic has worked as a hinge eventaccelerating troubling trends and amplifying longstanding socioeconomic and political problems.
Other features of the fifth edition include:
Thoroughly revised chapters on economic and development issues
An update on regime transitions and the rise of authoritarianism
Analysis of the status of conflict, terrorist movements, and weapons proliferation
An expanded discussion of populism and nationalism in both the economic and political spheres
A comparison of the range of experiences and responses to the pandemic
The result is a text that has been successfully designed to challenge students preconceptions, arouse their curiosity, and foster critical thinking.
CONTENTS:
- Comparing and Defining an Interdependent World.
- HISTORICAL LEGACIES.
- Precolonial History: What Once Was, and Why It Matters.
- Colonialism and Resistance: Gold, God, and Glory.
- Linking Concepts and Cases.
- ECONOMIC REALITIES.
- The Global Economy: What the Pandemic Reveals.
- Aid, Trade, and Debt: Contending Views on Development.
- Linking Concepts and Cases.
- POLITICS AND POLITICAL CHANGE.
- Civil Society Takes on the State.
- Linking Concepts and Cases.
- Violence: The Call to Arms.
- Linking Concepts and Cases.
- Democracy: Reform, Reconfiguration, or Disintegration?
- Authoritarianism's Appeal: Why Now?
- Linking Concepts and Cases.
- INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.
- Sovereignty and the Role of International Organizations.
- Confronting Global Challenges.
- The Global South and the United States: Friends or Foes?
- Linking Concepts and Cases.
- CONCLUSION.
- Looking Forward: Responses to Interdependence.
