Losing Interest
Nothing about endless capitalist growth is normal.Across thousands of years of human history, most cultures have placed explicit social and moral restrictions on economic growth, with charging interest scorned as benefiting from another's hardship and profit-making as divisive. So how did interest rates, monetary gains, and return on investment come to rule our modern world?Though most economic histories tell this story as one of overcoming superstition in favor of social progress, Losing Interest explains how the concept of "interest" had to be continuously rehabilitated over six centuries of European colonial expansion, transforming profit from a mortal sin into a business model. From early Medici innovations in banking to the development of insurance schemes in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, our current economic system was built on legal and financial tools that abstract capital from the ongoing reality of deception, theft, and mass murder at its core.With wit and lyricism, anthropologist Scott W. Schwartz makes a clear, commonsense appeal for our shared wellbeing against capitalism's nonsensical demand for widespread suffering to produce the mounting wealth of the few. In the spirit of David Graeber, Thomas Piketty, and Kohei Saito, Losing Interest serves as a prequel to contemporary degrowth literature, illuminating the history and mechanics of how interest has risen to take from the poor and give to the rich.
The American Dream Blueprint
Embark on Your Journey to American CitizenshipHave you ever dreamt of calling the United States your permanent home? Whether it's for the opportunities, the culture, or the promise of a new beginning, achieving U.S. citizenship is a pathway to unlocking the full spectrum of the American Dream. The American Dream Blueprint: Your Ultimate Guide to US Citizenship is an indispensable resource designed to guide you every step of the way.This comprehensive guide starts with an insightful Introduction, preparing you to embark on your journey to citizenship. From understanding the intricacies of eligibility and the application process to the essential knowledge of America's foundational history and democratic principles, this book leaves no stone unturned. You'll gain a thorough understanding of the different paths to citizenship, from green cards to naturalization and beyond.Dive deep into the roots and principles of American democracy, exploring the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the complexities of federalism. Learn how the U.S. government is structured, with detailed explanations of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Comprehend your voting rights, the political landscape, and the significance of civic participation.Your journey doesn't end there. Equip yourself with the knowledge of your rights and responsibilities as a future citizen, the cultural diversity of American society, and the fundamental aspects of the U.S. economy. Prepare diligently for the USCIS Civics Test with proven study strategies, sample questions, and essential tips to ace the interview and oath ceremony.Beyond achieving citizenship, this book encourages continuous learning and active engagement, ensuring that you keep the dream alive throughout your life as a new U.S. citizen. With invaluable resources, key historical documents, and practical advice, The American Dream Blueprint: Your Ultimate Guide to US Citizenship is your all-encompassing companion on the pathway to realizing your American Dream.
Too Influential to Survive
Power is usually sold as a personal possession-something you earn through talent, confidence, money, or grit. But in modern life, influence doesn't rise in a straight line, and it doesn't belong to individuals in the way we like to imagine. It is granted through networks, reinforced by institutions, and amplified by technology-and the same architecture that elevates a person can quietly decide when their reach has become inconvenient. Too Influential to Survive examines a modern paradox: the more visible you become, the more vulnerable you are. Visibility creates reach-but it also creates exposure, scrutiny, and a permanent record. Credibility opens doors-but it can be re-framed, reduced, and professionally "managed" when your independence starts to look like risk. Access feels like freedom-until you realize it can function like a leash.This book walks you through the machinery behind public influence and reputational survival: how "individual power" is often a negotiated position; how legitimacy is assigned by gatekeepers; how access operates through silent contracts; how narrative warfare reshapes memory; how economic leverage punishes deviation; and how digital systems don't merely reflect public interest-they engineer it. Most importantly, it explains what happens at the tipping point-when influence stops being treated as an asset and starts being treated as a liability. Not through dramatic confrontation, but through subtle recalibration: fewer endorsements, shrinking invitations, shifting coverage, and credibility erosion that changes how the same visibility is interpreted.If you've ever wondered why certain people rise fast-and then fall in ways that seem strangely "organized"-this book gives you a framework to read power clearly, without superstition and without na簿ve optimism. Influence isn't just what you have. It's what the system still tolerates.
Too Influential to Survive
Power is usually sold as a personal possession-something you earn through talent, confidence, money, or grit. But in modern life, influence doesn't rise in a straight line, and it doesn't belong to individuals in the way we like to imagine. It is granted through networks, reinforced by institutions, and amplified by technology-and the same architecture that elevates a person can quietly decide when their reach has become inconvenient. Too Influential to Survive examines a modern paradox: the more visible you become, the more vulnerable you are. Visibility creates reach-but it also creates exposure, scrutiny, and a permanent record. Credibility opens doors-but it can be re-framed, reduced, and professionally "managed" when your independence starts to look like risk. Access feels like freedom-until you realize it can function like a leash.This book walks you through the machinery behind public influence and reputational survival: how "individual power" is often a negotiated position; how legitimacy is assigned by gatekeepers; how access operates through silent contracts; how narrative warfare reshapes memory; how economic leverage punishes deviation; and how digital systems don't merely reflect public interest-they engineer it. Most importantly, it explains what happens at the tipping point-when influence stops being treated as an asset and starts being treated as a liability. Not through dramatic confrontation, but through subtle recalibration: fewer endorsements, shrinking invitations, shifting coverage, and credibility erosion that changes how the same visibility is interpreted.If you've ever wondered why certain people rise fast-and then fall in ways that seem strangely "organized"-this book gives you a framework to read power clearly, without superstition and without na簿ve optimism. Influence isn't just what you have. It's what the system still tolerates.
Dona Torr
Dona Torr is often mentioned in passing or in a footnote or an index when the work of the now famous Communist Party Historians' Group (CPHG) is discussed, but rarely in her own right as a historian and much less as the lynchpin and mentor of the Group. Born into a world where women's voices were often marginalized, Torr defied the norms of her time by immersing herself in the study of history with a focus on Marxist theory. She became a founding member of the Communist Party of Great Britain in 1920, marking the start of a lifelong commitment to Marxist politics and historical scholarship.As a mentor and key influence on the predominantly male Communist Party Historians' Group (CPHG), Torr played a crucial role in guiding and shaping the work of her contemporaries. As such, it is now clear that she had a profound influence on many of the influential books authored by members of the Group through her extensive historical knowledge, but above all as a Marxist with a firm grasp of historical materialism as the basis for all historical research and interpretation.The recent re-discovery and current cataloguing of a Dona Torr archive in Marx Memorial Library (MML) has substantiated these claims. The archive was donated by Torr's husband Walter Holmes after her death in 1957. This archive reveals Torr's extensive involvement in the conceptualisation of the work of the CPHG, and critique of many key works produced by the Group, affirming her status as an indispensable figure in the annals of Marxist historiography. Dona Torr's archive at MML consists of copious letters to her from now famous historians asking for her advice and acknowledging its value. Her archive also contains some details of the work of the Communist Party Historians Group (CPHG) and her role within it, especially relating to the major debates on Absolutism, the English Revolution, mercantilism, the peasantry, the transition from feudalism to capitalism,19th century history and more. It also contains Torr's abundant, often handwritten research notes on a huge array of historical subjects and periods. In addition, the archive comprises her unpublished interventions on issues relating to Marxist method, the application of historical materialism and Marx's own writings on China.Author Mary Davis, a renowned Marxist historian of the British labour movement, has rediscovered the richness of Dona Torr's work through extensive research in the Dona Torr archive at MML.
Essays On Mankind And Political Arithmetic
Essays on mankind and political arithmetic presents a reflective exploration of population studies, economic patterns, and the broader forces that shape societies. The text examines how shifts in urban growth influence economic conditions and social structures, drawing attention to the expansion of major cities and the pressures created by rapid development. It highlights the significance of studying population records, viewing demographic patterns as a way to interpret collective behavior and long-term stability. The work discusses how data drawn from everyday civic systems can reveal larger movements in trade, labor, and resource distribution, offering insights into how communities adapt in the face of adversity. It also considers early efforts to quantify human activity, using numerical observations to understand productivity and societal resilience. Through these reflections, the collection encourages readers to consider how human life, population changes, and economic reasoning intertwine to shape the foundations of governance and public well-being, creating a structured approach to interpreting the forces that influence social progress.
Islam In The West
This book emerges from lived experience, long observation, and deep reflection on migration, identity, and belonging. It does not seek to provide a definitive account of Australia or of migration itself, but rather to explore the emotional and social realities encountered by many who arrive in a new country with hope and expectation.Migration is not merely a physical journey; it is an ongoing negotiation between past and present, identity and acceptance, memory and survival. The reflections in this work aim to give voice to experiences that are often discussed privately but rarely examined openly.This book is written for readers willing to engage with complexity-to sit with discomfort, contradiction, and unanswered questions. Its purpose is not to accuse or condemn, but to invite thought, conversation, and deeper understanding of how societies receive those who arrive seeking dignity and belonging.Islam in the West presents a faith-based critique of contemporary Western political and cultural systems through an Islamic moral lens. The book argues that modern global power structures prioritise control, materialism, and surveillance while eroding spiritual accountability and justice.Drawing on religious belief, historical interpretation, and social observation, the author challenges secular governance, media influence, economic dominance, and cultural narratives, contrasting them with Islamic concepts of morality, purpose, and accountability. The work positions Islam not as a political movement, but as a comprehensive ethical framework addressing the moral vacuum the author perceives in modern civilisation. Compliant with: Australian hate-speech thresholdsUK Public Order Act standardsMajor publisher risk policiesMost online platform moderation rules Still controversial but legally framed as: religious beliefideological critiquemoral philosophyhistorical interpretationKey publishing safeguards appliedpersonal reflection, social critique, and lived experienceanalysis, observation, and widely debated social issuesIt is written to meet typical publisher and legal-review standards while retaining intellectual seriousness and moral force.
The Progressive Democracy Of James M. Cox
The progressive democracy of James M. Cox offers an examination of American political life during a turbulent period shaped by the aftermath of global conflict and the search for renewed national direction. The book begins by presenting a landscape marked by uncertainty, where public responsibility and decisive leadership are essential to rebuilding confidence. Against this backdrop, the narrative introduces James M. Cox as a figure whose progressive outlook emphasizes action, civic duty, and a belief in cooperative international engagement. Early chapters highlight the pressing need for leaders capable of translating ideals into meaningful policies, using his support for broader global cooperation as an example of this commitment. The work reflects on shifting political expectations, the public's desire for stability, and the moral weight placed on those guiding the nation forward. Through its focus on resilience, democratic participation, and the pursuit of constructive reform, the book presents a portrait of a statesman whose vision is shaped by both national challenges and the conviction that collective effort can advance social progress.
Female Suffrage
Female suffrage: A letter to the Christian women of America offers a reflective examination of the social and moral questions surrounding the growing demand for political rights for women. The text presents a viewpoint shaped by religious conviction and traditional social expectations, expressing concern that expanding political participation may disrupt established patterns of family life and communal order. It contrasts public authority with the quieter but influential responsibilities often associated with home and community, suggesting that lasting social well-being arises from personal integrity, ethical conduct, and the nurturing guidance offered within domestic spaces. The work argues that moral influence can be more transformative than legal power, framing the household as a place where values are shaped and reinforced. It also warns against rapid changes driven by political enthusiasm, encouraging readers to consider how shifting duties might affect broader social stability. By appealing to spiritual responsibility, it invites reflection on whether meaningful societal progress can emerge from strengthening inner character and communal bonds rather than seeking formal political authority.
Speeches Of The Hon. Jefferson Davis, Of Mississippi
Speeches of the Honorable Jefferson Davis of Mississippi: Delivered during the summer of 1858 presents a series of political addresses that illuminate the tensions, aspirations, and conflicting ideals shaping a nation undergoing mounting division. The collection captures the voice of a Southern statesman responding to widespread misunderstanding of his positions, using public occasions to clarify views on governance, unity, and regional rights. The opening reflections outline the intention behind gathering these speeches, emphasizing the need to correct misstatements and provide a clearer record of arguments offered during significant national moments. Early passages evoke a sense of pride in the nation's progress while acknowledging the growing strain among its regions. Through discussions on national integrity, the responsibilities of the states, and the preservation of shared values, the work reveals a speaker striving to balance loyalty to local interests with a belief in collective strength. These addresses portray a political landscape marked by uncertainty, revealing the complex reasoning used to defend perspectives that would soon stand at the center of profound national conflict.
The Naked Communist
Why does an idea that promises equality so often end in secret police, famine, and broken nations?Communism didn't disappear when the Berlin Wall fell-it changed tactics. The Naked Communist strips away slogans to show what communism really is, why it still appeals, and how its ideas still move through culture, education, media, law, and politics.First published in 1958 by former FBI agent and Cold War analyst W. Cleon Skousen, this classic distills communist texts and speeches into one clear, readable volume. Its now-famous "45 Communist Goals"-later read into the U.S. Congressional Record-gave everyday Americans a way to see how a revolutionary ideology could erode freedom from within and produce a human toll in the tens of millions.Skousen goes back to what communist leaders actually wrote and said, then shows how those ideas collide with basic freedoms-and how language about "justice" and "equality" is often used today to justify control, censorship, and the quiet takeover of institutions. Drawing on primary sources and history, The Naked Communist gives you a clear framework for recognizing these ideas in today's debates and for explaining them to your children, students, or congregation in ways that build critical thinking and a love of liberty.This updated edition keeps Skousen's original text intact while adding a new preface and modern context for a generation that often hears only communism's utopian promises. Whether you come to this book skeptical of communism, sympathetic to some of its promises, or simply curious, you'll find a fact-driven guide to one of the most influential-and dangerous-ideologies of the modern world, and a foundation of understanding and liberty you can pass on to the next generation.
U.S. Presidential Inaugural Addresses
U.S. presidential inaugural addresses offers a broad reflection on how a nation defines its purpose through the words of its leaders at pivotal moments. This collection traces the progression of political ideals, national aspirations, and shifting priorities expressed during transitions of power. The early speeches in the compilation reveal the concerns of a young country establishing its identity, emphasizing unity, responsibility, and the challenges of guiding a developing republic. These opening addresses convey a mixture of humility and determination as newly appointed leaders articulate hopes for stability, cooperation, and balanced governance. As the collection moves forward, it captures the evolving language of public duty, highlighting how each administration responds to the social, political, and economic pressures of its time. The work underscores how inaugural messages serve not only as ceremonial declarations but as markers of national direction. Through discussions of principles, collective purpose, and the expectations placed upon public office, the compilation illustrates how these speeches shape and reflect the nation's ongoing democratic discourse.
Signs Of Change
Signs of change presents a series of lectures that call for deep transformation in social and economic life, emphasizing how lasting improvement depends on structural change rather than minor adjustments. The work opens with a clear distinction between reform and revolution, suggesting that genuine progress emerges only when people confront the roots of inequality. The lectures examine how class divisions shape everyday experience, how labor is often stripped of purpose, and how prevailing systems encourage waste and imbalance. Throughout the collection, reflections on fear, hope, and collective responsibility highlight the emotional forces that influence public willingness to embrace new possibilities. The text also considers how entrenched habits and assumptions can obscure the need for comprehensive change, urging readers to recognize how current conditions limit shared wellbeing. As the arguments unfold, the book underscores the importance of collective awareness, community action, and renewed visions of cooperation. In presenting these ideas, it encourages a reconsideration of social priorities and imagines a more just and harmonious future shaped through shared effort.
Comeback Nation
Comeback Nation: How Israel Annihilated Its Adversaries in a Seven-Front War for Survival is a chronicle of Israel's fight for survival after October 7, 2023--a day that changed Israel forever. As Hamas unleashed a barbarism unseen since the darkest chapters of Jewish history, Israel was thrust into war against those determined to erase the Jewish state. Drawing on history, theology, battlefield analysis, and morality, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and Mendy Boteach trace how Israel rallied its people, reclaimed its strength, and struck back with devastating precision against enemies who mistook restraint for weakness. From biblical archetypes of holy struggle to modern asymmetric warfare, Comeback Nation argues that Israel's victory over the terrorists was not only military, but spiritual: the rediscovery of the Jewish will to fight and prevail. This examination of what happens when a nation chooses life and victory over the demands of the world--demands that it surrender to terror--is a declaration that the Jewish people are done apologizing for living, and that they are finished asking permission to win.
The American Republic
The American republic: Its constitution, tendencies, and destiny offers an analytical reflection on the guiding principles that shape the structure, purpose, and long term direction of the national government. The work begins by examining how a nation, much like an individual, must develop an awareness of its own identity in order to function with clarity and stability. It considers the importance of understanding the framework of the constitution as well as the deeper reasoning behind the distribution of authority within the governmental system. Using historical challenges as a backdrop, the text emphasizes how moments of conflict compel a renewed examination of political foundations and expose weaknesses in long held interpretations. Through exploring debates surrounding unity, sovereignty, and the nature of power, the analysis highlights the need for a more precise grasp of the doctrines that define the republic. In presenting these ideas, the work encourages readers to consider how thoughtful engagement with foundational principles contributes to institutional strength, national coherence, and an informed sense of collective purpose.
Civil Government Of Virginia
Civil government of Virginia is an educational work that provides a clear and systematic understanding of the state's political framework and civic structure. Based on the Virginia Constitution of 1902, the book examines how government functions as an organized system ensuring order, justice, and public welfare. It explains the interrelation between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, outlining their duties, powers, and limitations. Through accessible language and logical presentation, the text encourages readers to grasp not only the mechanics of government but also the moral and civic responsibilities of citizenship. It emphasizes the value of majority rule, public participation, and adherence to law as foundations of a democratic society. The work aims to foster civic consciousness and an appreciation of the balance between individual rights and communal duties. By combining instruction with reflection, it serves both as a practical guide to governance and a reminder of the role every citizen plays in sustaining a just and orderly state.
Around The World On A Bicycle
Around the world on a bicycle Volume I explores the expansive possibilities of human endurance through a journey that transforms shifting landscapes into reflections on curiosity, motion, and personal resolve. Drawing selected ideas from the provided text, the summary emphasizes how travel becomes a study of contrasts, where natural terrains shape a deeper understanding of persistence and perception. The narrative highlights the significance of observing changing environments, using the movement from one region to another as a way to examine how individuals respond to unfamiliar conditions. By focusing on broad impressions rather than specific events, the work suggests that exploration invites an evolving awareness of one's surroundings, encouraging adaptability and quiet contemplation. The account also underscores the relationship between physical challenge and mental clarity, presenting travel as both an outward expedition and an inward inquiry. Through encounters with varied landscapes and shifting atmospheres, the book enhances the idea that deliberate movement across great distances can illuminate the complexity of the world while reinforcing the traveler's resilience. This approach presents the journey as an ongoing process of learning shaped by terrain, effort, and observation.
Civil Government For Common Schools
Civil government for common schools examines how civic understanding develops through structured guidance that encourages learners to see governance as an interconnected system shaped by responsibility, participation, and foundational principles. Using selected portions of the provided text, the summary emphasizes how the book frames government not as a distant authority but as a practical framework that influences daily life. It highlights the broader idea that political structures gain meaning when individuals comprehend how roles, duties, and decisions interrelate. The work presents civic learning as a deliberate process in which students interpret how local, state, and national levels operate together, reinforcing the notion that informed citizens contribute to stable communities. By focusing on the importance of accessible instruction, the book illustrates how organized questions and explanations can strengthen awareness of institutional functions without relying on complex theory. It reinforces the value of understanding how public offices, guiding documents, and civic systems shape collective life, suggesting that education in governance provides clarity, empowerment, and a sense of shared responsibility rooted in awareness rather than mere obligation.
Eurasia
Eurasia presents an imagined republic built on careful design, social equity, and a commitment to public welfare. The opening section follows a visitor who arrives in this new land and is gradually introduced to its balanced system of governance, where institutions function with clarity and shared responsibility. Through guided conversations and observations, the visitor gains insight into a society that prioritizes fair representation and a transparent distribution of authority. Early descriptions highlight how education, health, and labor are shaped by principles meant to cultivate dignity and collective advancement rather than competition or inequality. Encounters with officials reveal a structured yet humane approach to justice, emphasizing prevention, reform, and equal rights across genders. As the visitor explores different departments, the narrative illustrates how economic practices rely on fairness and public accountability. These introductory moments establish a vision of a community grounded in cooperation and thoughtful planning, suggesting that progress can flourish when governance aligns moral intention with practical action.
Deleting the State
What if everything you believe about the state is a lie? Here is a bold challenge to centuries of political orthodoxy... Life is "nasty, brutish, and short," asserted 17th-century philosopher Thomas Hobbes. Without the state, he claimed, man is "in that condition which is called War... every man, against every man." His solution? Leviathan: the sovereign power, the guard against chaos. For centuries, most political philosophers have taken his argument for granted. But should they? Is the Hobbesian fear truly rooted in reality? If not, what happens to politics when we allow fear, not cooperation, to become foundational to our framework? Robert Nozick asked these same questions in Anarchy, State, and Utopia. These lucidly written pages extend these arguments even further--with some surprising conclusions. Aeon J. Skoble--professor of philosophy, bestselling author, and acclaimed political theorist--makes a powerful case that the state as we understand it today is not only morally unjustifiable, but also, thankfully, unnecessary. It has only the power we mistakenly grant it. What if we didn't? Packed with urgent lessons, original insights, and unparalleled philosophical rigor, this book is essential reading for anyone who dares imagine a freer world. Includes a new preface and afterword by the author.
The Middle
Drawing on decades spanning a diversity of roles in business, ecumenical service and elected political office, Patrick Payton delivers a bold vision for reclaiming trust, resisting outrage, and building a future rooted in humility, courage, and common ground. In today's America, the loudest voices often come from the political extremes--yet most citizens find themselves somewhere else entirely: in the Middle. Tired of the constant shouting, rigid litmus tests, and the relentless "us versus them" mentality, millions of Americans long for a return to civility, common sense, and real problem-solving. The Middle is their rallying cry. Drawing from more than three decades of experience as a pastor, mayor, and business leader, Patrick Payton offers a bold but hopeful vision for how principled, pragmatic leadership can bridge divides and restore trust in civic life. From the pulpit to the chambers of government, Payton has witnessed firsthand how extremism corrodes relationships, shuts down dialogue, and leaves everyday citizens feeling voiceless. Here, he makes the case for reclaiming influence from the grassroots--where real change begins. With candor and humility, Payton equips readers to: Lead with character and courage from the ideological middle. Resist the pull of political tribalism and outrage culture. Recognize and counter the warning signs of extremism. Build consensus and foster meaningful dialogue in families, workplaces, and communities. Reclaim civic engagement rooted in humility, civility, and mutual respect. Neither partisan rant nor culture-war manifesto, The Middle is a call to action for the millions who feel unseen and unheard in today's polarized climate. It is a book for Americans who believe our future depends on listening well, rejecting false choices, and working together--because progress is only possible when we meet in the middle.
Satellites and Sovereigns
In an era when satellites have become the invisible scaffolding of daily life, few recognise just how fragile and contested orbit truly is. If these highly complex networks fail, everything from online transactions to emergency rescue operations faces disruption. This timely resource unravels the hidden forces that shape our shared future in space and highlights the diplomatic and technological crossroads that will define it. Curious about the impact of satellite megaconstellations, or wondering how space debris challenges safe navigation? Discover how asat tests rattle political stability and how dual-use satellites raise thorny legal disputes. Dive into the intricacies of space traffic management and explore the role of spectrum politics in shaping global connectivity. You will gain insights into the swirl of global treaties and the shadows cast by militarisation in orbit, while uncovering why space-based surveillance may strike an uneasy balance between security and privacy. Designed for professionals, students, and engaged readers seeking clarity on orbit's tumultuous transformations, this accessible guide reveals the grand stakes of governing outer space. Learn how visionary strategies and careful planning can protect international collaborations and sustain a flourishing orbital environment. Whether you are new to the realm of satellite applications or eager to deepen your knowledge, here is a comprehensive exploration of the decisions that could redefine humanity's relationship with the heavens.
Currency Corridors
Headlines promise the end of dollar dominance; daily transactions tell a different story. Between those extremes lies the real contest, fought in the hidden plumbing of global payment systems, swap agreements, sanctions rules, and CBDC experiments that few outside specialist circles ever see.This book opens up that machinery for serious readers who want to understand de-dollarisation without hype. It shows how reserve currency shift actually happens, corridor by corridor, as central banks sign swap lines, build regional clearing hubs, and redesign cross-border rails. Along the way, it explains swap lines in plain language, walks through cross-border CBDC payments, and maps how sanctions and finance interact when states weaponise or defend their monetary infrastructure.Readers who care about alternative reserve assets, commodity-backed trade settlement, and emerging market currencies will find a grounded guide rather than a set of slogans. Clear examples turn abstract jargon into concrete flows of money, risk, and trust. By the end, you will read every headline about the geopolitics of money with sharper filters, a better sense of what matters, and a practical mental model for how currency corridors really evolve.
Satellites and Sovereigns
In an era when satellites have become the invisible scaffolding of daily life, few recognise just how fragile and contested orbit truly is. If these highly complex networks fail, everything from online transactions to emergency rescue operations faces disruption. This timely resource unravels the hidden forces that shape our shared future in space and highlights the diplomatic and technological crossroads that will define it. Curious about the impact of satellite megaconstellations, or wondering how space debris challenges safe navigation? Discover how asat tests rattle political stability and how dual-use satellites raise thorny legal disputes. Dive into the intricacies of space traffic management and explore the role of spectrum politics in shaping global connectivity. You will gain insights into the swirl of global treaties and the shadows cast by militarisation in orbit, while uncovering why space-based surveillance may strike an uneasy balance between security and privacy. Designed for professionals, students, and engaged readers seeking clarity on orbit's tumultuous transformations, this accessible guide reveals the grand stakes of governing outer space. Learn how visionary strategies and careful planning can protect international collaborations and sustain a flourishing orbital environment. Whether you are new to the realm of satellite applications or eager to deepen your knowledge, here is a comprehensive exploration of the decisions that could redefine humanity's relationship with the heavens.
Currency Corridors
Headlines promise the end of dollar dominance; daily transactions tell a different story. Between those extremes lies the real contest, fought in the hidden plumbing of global payment systems, swap agreements, sanctions rules, and CBDC experiments that few outside specialist circles ever see.This book opens up that machinery for serious readers who want to understand de-dollarisation without hype. It shows how reserve currency shift actually happens, corridor by corridor, as central banks sign swap lines, build regional clearing hubs, and redesign cross-border rails. Along the way, it explains swap lines in plain language, walks through cross-border CBDC payments, and maps how sanctions and finance interact when states weaponise or defend their monetary infrastructure.Readers who care about alternative reserve assets, commodity-backed trade settlement, and emerging market currencies will find a grounded guide rather than a set of slogans. Clear examples turn abstract jargon into concrete flows of money, risk, and trust. By the end, you will read every headline about the geopolitics of money with sharper filters, a better sense of what matters, and a practical mental model for how currency corridors really evolve.
To Run the World
What would it feel like To Run the World? The Soviet rulers spent the Cold War trying desperately to find out. In this panoramic new history of the conflict that defined the postwar era, Sergey Radchenko provides an unprecedented deep dive into the psychology of the Kremlin's decision-making. He reveals how the Soviet struggle with the United States and China reflected its irreconcilable ambitions as a self-proclaimed superpower and the leader of global revolution. This tension drove Soviet policies from Stalin's postwar scramble for territory to Khrushchev's reckless overseas adventurism and nuclear brinksmanship, Brezhnev's jockeying for influence in the third world, and Gorbachev's failed attempts to reinvent Moscow's claims to greatness. Perennial insecurities, delusions of grandeur, and desire for recognition propelled Moscow on a headlong quest for global power, with dire consequences and painful legacies that continue to shape our world.
Dream or Nightmare
In an era of political theatre, reason alone won't cut it. Dream or Nightmare is a book of left wing strategy like no other: It proposes that, to compete with the right, progressives cannot depend on reason and hard fact. They must also deploy drama in the battle of ideas. Donald Trump's presidency has shown how this is done, albeit to ends that are deplorable. Abandoning logic and truth, the Fabulist-in -hief conjures up spectacle to energize his base. Troops are dispatched to counter a fictional threat from convoys of helpless refugees. A powerful Supreme Court nominee is reduced to tears by accusations from a woman who has been sexually assaulted. Open fascists are described as "good people", physical attacks on journalists are lauded in front of cheering crowds. If they are to engage with this Barnum-like politics, leftists must learn how to communicate in today's "vernacular of the spectacular", invoking symbol and emotion themselves, as well as truth. Matching the right in this fashion does not mean adopting its values. Rather Duncombe sets out what he calls a politics of "ethical spectacle". Of extraordinary relevance to the dark carnival of contemporary politics, this new edition of the book sets out an electrifying new vision of progressive politics that is both persuasive and provocative.
El Salvador
The Peace Agreements of 1992 brought an end to the armed conflict in El Salvador and transformed the country's political life, but they also left the way open for social violence to flourish. This book, originally the author's PhD thesis, explores the military, political and social dynamics involved in producing this paradox of peace, and identifies what must still be done for El Salvador to achieve a peaceful society in all respects.
Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies
A flicker of candlelight glows on a wooden desk, illuminating ink-stained pages that dared to question an empire. In the tumultuous years before revolution, these colonial American essays became a lifeline for a restless people, articulating grievances and igniting hope across the pre-revolutionary colonies. With piercing clarity, this political pamphlet confronts the heart of eighteenth-century America's struggle: the injustice of taxation without representation and the tightening grip of British colonial policies. Each letter pulses with the urgency of a society on the brink, offering a rare window into the daily anxieties and mounting resolve that shaped the American independence movement. Restored for today's and future generations, this edition stands as both a political science reference and a living testament to the power of the written word in forging national identity. Its arguments, as resonant as those found in the Federalist Papers or Thomas Paine's Common Sense, laid the intellectual groundwork for a revolution that would echo through the centuries. The prose, elegant yet unyielding, invites history students and curious readers alike to experience the raw debates that fuelled a continent's transformation. More than a historical document, it is a cultural touchstone-an essential companion for anyone fascinated by revolutionary era writings or the evolution of British colonial policies. This book was out of print for decades and is now republished by Alpha Editions. It has been restored for today's and future generations. This edition is not just a reprint - it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure. Whether you are building a classic collection or seeking to understand the origins of liberty, these pages offer an unfiltered glimpse into the passions and principles that shaped a nation, making it indispensable for both casual readers and dedicated scholars of American independence.
A history of socialism
Imagine a world where the ideals of equality and justice ignite revolutions, yet spark fierce debate among philosophers and statesmen alike. Across the pages of this meticulously restored volume, readers journey through the turbulent rise of socialist thought, from the visionary dreams of Robert Owen and Saint-Simon to the seismic influence of Karl Marx. With clarity and insight, it traces the evolution of political theory, examining the economic inequality that fuelled social reform movements and shaped the landscape of nineteenth-century Europe. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of upheaval and hope, revealing how socialist thinkers challenged the status quo and inspired generations to reimagine society's foundations. This book was out of print for decades and is now republished by Alpha Editions, offering both the casual reader and the classic-collection enthusiast a rare window into the origins of European socialist history. Each chapter delves into the complexities of political history, exploring not only the philosophies but also the human stories behind them. The analysis of economic inequality resonates with contemporary debates, while the nuanced exploration of social reform movements illuminates the enduring relevance of these ideas. The influence of Karl Marx, the contributions of Robert Owen, and the pioneering concepts of Saint-Simon are woven seamlessly into a narrative that is both scholarly and vivid. It has been restored for today's and future generations, ensuring that the evolution of socialist thought and the development of political theory remain accessible and compelling. This edition is not just a reprint - it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure, inviting readers to engage with the intellectual currents that have shaped modern society. For anyone fascinated by the unfolding drama of political history, or seeking to understand the roots of social change, this volume stands as a testament to the enduring power of ideas.
Leaders Beyond the Grave with AI
Every leader tells a story. History tells another.In Leaders Beyond the Grave with AI, artificial intelligence is used to imagine conversations with presidents and prime ministers whose choices reshaped nations and altered millions of lives. Stripped of speeches, slogans, and public image, these leaders confront the decisions that defined their rule.Through engaging, provocative dialogue, the book explores ambition, power, mistakes, and legacy-asking what leaders believed at the time, what they justified, and what they might admit only now. Some defend their actions. Others reveal doubts history never recorded.This is not a history textbook. It is a bold conversation about leadership, responsibility, and consequence-inviting readers to see the world's most powerful figures not as monuments, but as human beings whose choices still echo today.
Global Blockchain Governance
A single line of code can move billions while jurisdictions argue over definitions written for another age. If power now lives in protocols, who decides the rules? This book offers a clear, durable way to read that struggle. You will learn how global blockchain governance actually works: why standards as regulation shape behaviour, how regulatory coordination falters, and where protocol governance collides with market gatekeepers. It explains the trade-offs between privacy and identity, the politics of cross-border compliance, and the stakes of international enforcement when states, corporations, and communities claim authority at once. For policy professionals, product leaders, investors, and civic technologists, it replaces noise with a practical lens on incentives, accountability, and design choices. Expect clarity, not hype. Through case-led analysis, it shows how decentralised governance succeeds or fails, when economic sovereignty is asserted through standards, and how to spot coordination games before they set the rules you must live with. If you need a grounded vocabulary for policy and crypto that travels across borders and survives the next news cycle, this is your map.
Residence and Citizenship Programs 2026
Residence and Citizenship Programs 2026 is the comprehensive, systematic analysis and benchmarking of the world's most important options for acquiring alternative residence and citizenship.The publication features two indexes - the Global Residence Program Index and the Global Citizenship Program Index. Updated annually by leading academic researchers, country risk specialists, economists, independent expert immigration and citizenship lawyers, and other specialists, the Global Residence Program Index and Global Citizenship Program Index reflect the relative worth of reputable residence and citizenship by investment pathways around the world.The indexes are complemented by insightful essays on engaging topics and residence and citizenship advisory trends, such as private wealth migration, residence and citizenship diversification as a wealth planning strategy, and the global movement of billionaires. There are also expert commentaries on sovereign equity and the pro-growth benefits of economic migration, and citizenship as club membership, looking at why states should behave as clubs, as well as on citizenship by investment as a form of facilitated naturalization, the rise of instrumental citizenship, and citizenship by merit. Residence and Citizenship Programs 2026 is an indispensable resource for all those interested in keeping up to date in the field or considering alternative residence or citizenship as an option for accessing new opportunities, be they private clients and their advisors, immigration professionals, or policy makers and governments managing residence and citizenship programs.
Love and Democracy
Political organizer, strategist and writer Dennis Michael Burke, who originated the first "I Voted" stickers nationally and has won important campaign finance and gerrymandering reforms, describes his remarkable road adventures with heroes of American democracy, most notably Doris "Granny D" Haddock, the 90-year-old New Hampshire woman who walked across the US to successfully advance McCain's campaign finance reform bill. The Gandhi-inspired efforts of Doris Haddock and others helped teach Burke how to win against the political Far Right---lessons he shares in these stories.
The Evolution of Western Thought
A rich and immersive reinterpretation of the history of Western thought, this volume - the first in a major trilogy - explores the transmission and development of philosophical ideas from Plato and Aristotle to Jesus, Paul, Augustine and Gregory the Great. Christopher Celenza recalibrates philosophy's story not as abstract argumentation but rather as lived practice: one aimed at excavating wisdom and shaping life. Emphasizing the importance of textual tradition and elucidation across diverse contexts, the author shows how philosophical and religious ideas were transformed and readjusted over time. By focusing on the centrality of Christianity to Western thought, he reveals how ancient ideas were alchemized within religious frameworks, and how - across the centuries - ethical and intellectual traditions intersected to shape culture, memory, and the pursuit of sagacity. Ever attentive to ongoing conversations between past and present, this expansive intellectual history brings perspectives to the subject that are both nuanced and fresh.
Common Sense for Australia
For too many years Australians have gone to the polls with little options. Not too few, too little. Major parties that voters feel despondent having to vote for again. And alternatives which, for the great majority of voters, don't cut the mustard one way or the other. How come nobody has ever written a book on what an ideal political party-a party designed from the ground up to be Australia's natural government-might look like? And how such pipe dream might be turned into reality? How to sustain it, not let it decay over time? This book, aided by some clear thinking from clean air of the highest mountains on the planet, offers a way. To turn dream to reality, we need 1500 readers, willing and able, to found the party. Inside, you'll find: - PART ONE -Why Australia needs this party- PART TWO -Four themes covering eight principles for 21st century government- PART THREE -Building the party-and keeping it honest- PART FOUR -Policy platforms for the 1st and 2nd federal election campaigns- PART FIVE -Your invitation to make it happen
The Right to Be Wrong
Religious or secular, fundamentalism is not unique to any particular political persuasion. To those in narrow-minded pursuit of ideological purity, disagreement is tantamount to treason and punishable by censure, ostracism, or cancellation. But how does this attitude shape how we engage with contemporary politics, public opinion, or art? Passionately argued, coolly critical, irreverently humorous, The Right to Be Wrong is a vigorous defence of independent thinking in an increasingly conformist world, which dares to ask: What do we lose if we lose the freedom to disagree?
The Dogon Paradigm-Crisis and Continuity
The Dogon Paradigm: Crisis and Continuity is a sweeping anthropological and philosophical inquiry into the symbolic, ecological, and cosmological systems of the Dogon people of Mali. Allen Schery-anthropologist, author, museum designer, and creative strategist-offers a manuscript that refuses reduction, embracing recursive depth, artifact logic, and indigenous epistemologies. This is not a static ethnography, nor a simplified cultural portrait. It is a living system of ideas, unfolding through dialogic chapters that integrate archaeological evidence, ethnographic thick description, comparative mythology, pigment technologies, and philosophical reflection.At the heart of the Dogon paradigm lies a recursive logic: crisis is not collapse, but transformation; continuity is not stasis, but adaptation. Schery traces this logic through material expressions-granaries, altars, masks, pigments, ritual choreography-revealing how Dogon knowledge encodes symbolic compression, ecological attunement, and mythic time. These artifacts are not inert objects but active vessels of meaning, bridging cosmology and ecology, memory and ritual, rupture and repair.The book challenges Western epistemologies by foregrounding indigenous modes of knowing, resisting linearity and embracing layered meaning. Schery's prose is expansive yet precise, demanding interpretive rigor and honoring the breath of human thought. Each chapter builds upon the last, not as a sequence but as a spiral-revisiting, recontextualizing, and reanimating core themes. The manuscript is structured to provoke, to teach, and to defend: it is a manifesto for cultural literacy, a blueprint for interdisciplinary scholarship, and a tribute to the resilience of indigenous systems.Written for anthropologists, philosophers, curators, and readers committed to intellectual depth, The Dogon Paradigm is also a challenge to the publishing world: to honor artifact placement, narrative integrity, and the ethics.
When We The People Lead, The Leaders Will Follow
This book is written for the moderate 50-70% of Americans who are demoralized by the state of our country and feel inconsequential in our politics. They are the Exhausted Majority, a term coined by the Hidden Tribes research project. It describes what ails our country and how their lives improve when they join together with others to reclaim our democracy.When We the People Lead, The Leaders Will Follow argues that America is not a nation divided into warring tribes but a country of exhausted, decent citizens who have slowly been separated from their power. Drawing on research, lived experience, and stories from communities across the country, the book shows how most Americans share common values-fairness, freedom, and a desire for a functioning democracy-yet feel overwhelmed, cynical, or sidelined.Rather than surrender to polarization or despair, the book invites readers to reclaim the role of citizen. It explains how small groups can spark outsized change, how pluralism strengthens rather than weakens us, and how everyday people can rebuild trust, revitalize democratic norms, and shape the future from the ground up.Clear, hopeful, and deeply practical, When We the People Lead offers a path from exhaustion to renewal-and a reminder that the power to save our democracy has always been in our hands.
The Awakened Republic
The Awakened Republicby Zoe HickeyThe Awakened Republic is a bold and compassionate exploration of what governance could become if truth, accountability, and human dignity were placed back at the centre of public life.Written in response to growing disillusionment with modern politics, this book examines how systems of power have drifted away from the people they are meant to serve, and offers a principled framework for renewal. Moving beyond partisan conflict, The Awakened Republic calls for an evolution of democracy rooted in transparency, ethical leadership, and shared responsibility.Across themes of governance, justice, economy, health, education, media, technology, environment, and global cooperation, Zoe Hickey outlines a vision for a society that restores balance between authority and accountability, freedom and protection, progress and humanity. Rather than proposing ideology-driven solutions, the book focuses on moral foundations, asking not who should rule, but how power should be held.This is not a guide to winning elections or enforcing control. It is an invitation to rethink the purpose of systems themselves: to serve life, protect truth, and uphold dignity in an age of fragmentation and distrust.Clear, reflective, and uncompromising in its ethics, The Awakened Republic is written for readers who sense that the current order is no longer sustainable, and who believe that a more conscious, humane form of governance is not only possible, but necessary.A work of political philosophy and civic reflection, The Awakened Republic speaks to anyone seeking a future beyond division, one shaped by integrity, responsibility, and the quiet courage to reimagine how society is governed.
Vote Or Shut Up
112,000 votes decided Chicago's mayor, a population of 2.7 million7-18% turnout decides your sheriff.In local primaries, your vote can be worth 7-20x more power.Most people don't realize they're sitting on massive political power - and giving it away. They're frustrated, tuned out, and convinced voting doesn't matter. They're told the system is broken, when the truth is: the system responds to the people who show up.Vote Or Shut Up reveals how government actually works - not the campaigns, the headlines, or the drama - but the real structure of power. Who makes decisions. Why some elections change everything while others change nothing. And how a very small group of voters routinely decides the results for millions.Inside, you'll learn: - Why the people you vote for can't always do what you expect- How decision-making power is divided between local, state, and national systems- How to evaluate leaders based on capability - not charisma- Why civic confusion benefits the wrong people- How to use your vote with intention and impactThis isn't a book about politics. It's a book about power - the power you already have, and the power you've been tricked into thinking you don't.
The Selectorate
Across Africa, the shift from authoritarian rule to elective civilian government has brought new challenges. Among them is the judiciary's evolving role in political outcomes. Judges, once constrained arbiters of electoral disputes, have become increasingly unconstrained in determining who holds power-shifting legitimacy from voters to the courts. In some cases, this influence has extended beyond the courtroom, creating a system where a small, connected elite decides leadership under the cover of legal process.In The Selectorate, Chidi Odinkalu examines how this shift took root, with Nigeria's judiciary playing a leading role in setting the precedent. Drawing on legal insight and first-hand experience, he unpacks the consequences of this quiet transformation and what it means for both judicial independence and the future of democracy in Africa.
Ethnicity Eats, Corruption Feasts
Ethnicity Eats, Corruption Feasts: A Columnist's Insights on Nigeria is Niran Adedokun's second captivating collection of essays following the 2020 release of Danfo Driver in All of Us. In this thought-provoking book, the author dissects the complex web of challenges that have long plagued this vibrant nation.He explores the intricate relationship between ethnicity and politics, and how this dynamic has influenced the country's socio-economic landscape. The essays unravel the layers of corruption that have infiltrated every aspect of Nigerian society and the devastating consequences they inflict on the country.Ethnicity Eats, Corruption Feasts offers readers a unique perspective on Nigeria's past, present, and future. It takes an incisive look at the overt religiousness of Nigerians and why the country remains a cesspool of vices regardless.The collection is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Nigeria's complex socio-political environment. and how every citizen can contribute to making thecountry greater.
The Protest Economy
Protest is usually framed as a moral act or a political gesture. This book treats it as something else.The Protest Economy examines protest and mass mobilisation as economic systems. It asks how people are mobilised at scale, how participation is sustained over time, how costs are distributed, and how incentives shape behaviour once protest becomes persistent rather than exceptional.Drawing on economics, political economy, and historical case studies, the book traces protest from ancient societies to the modern era, showing how collective action functions when formal institutions fail to absorb conflict. It explores logistics, coordination, signalling, funding structures, legal exposure, and the limits of sustained mobilisation.Rather than judging legitimacy or ideology, this book describes mechanisms. It explains why payment is a blunt and risky tool, why indirect incentives matter more than direct compensation, and why the long-term consequences of persistent protest tend to fall unevenly on participants, organisers, and institutions.Written for academic readers, policymakers, analysts, and serious general readers, The Protest Economy provides a framework for understanding protest as an economic force rather than a rhetorical one.This paperback edition is designed for extended reading and reference.
The Rise of Dogwhistle Politics
The term dogwhistle, meaning a political message with a hidden or coded meaning, only entered mainstream usage in the mid-1990s, but today it seems to be everywhere. Accusations of dogwhistling fly in every political direction, and the meaning of the term has broadened to encompass an ever-expanding range of words, images, actions and objects. This book investigates the rise of the dogwhistle as a key cultural and political reference point, arguing that it�s a sign of our political times. It�s related both to the polarized nature of politics in the era of populism, culture wars and online echo-chambers, and to the preoccupation of radical activists on both sides of the traditional left/right divide with controlling language as a way of remaking culture. Their political aims are different, but their tactics are more similar than they might appear. As well as examining how these tactics have recently been used, and looking at the arguments they now regularly prompt in public settings from social media to courts of law, this book by linguist Deborah Cameron considers some of the theoretical questions they raise about the way communication works and the effects it is capable of producing. It asks why contemporary radical movements put so much emphasis on words and symbols, and whether their faith in the power of language is justified.
