Sociology Books

Philippine observers are often baffled by the economic and political turmoil that dominates headlines about the country. Yet, at the same time, the Philippines continues to hold the potential for successfully combining political freedoms with sustained economic growth and, thus, improving the lives of its people. In this book, a team of distinguished scholars examines these seemingly contradictory trends in order to gain a sense of the country's prospects.

Recommended for those interested in thought-provoking political plays. Alfian Saat's masterpiece challenges censorship and exposes the complexity of human nature. The characters' motivations and the themes of the play will leave readers questioning their moral compass.

If you're intrigued by the intricate crossroads of free expression and cultural sensitivity, "The Tyranny of Silence" is a thought-provoking exploration that demands your attention. Rose's personal experiences provide a unique lens on the global debate, enriching your understanding of democracy’s delicate dance with diversity. It's especially timely in a world where the boundaries of speech are constantly tested and redefined.

Albion's Seed is a great read for a history enthusiast, particularly those interested in the formation of America's regional cultures. Fischer's work effectively outlines the folkways and cultural differences between early British settlers in America, and how they have persisted to varying degrees in different areas of the country. This book is a valuable resource for understanding American cultural history, and would be a particularly good fit for those studying the social sciences or anyone with a keen interest in American regionalism.

Microtrends is a great read for those interested in understanding the small shifts occurring in America's culture. Author Mark Penn expertly analyzes the nation's emerging groups, highlighting trends such as people retiring but still working, and dads spending more time with their kids. Through the use of data and statistics, Penn shows readers how to identify these microtrends and harness their power to transform businesses, influence politics, and change lives. This book is most suited for individuals who want to stay informed and ahead of the curve.

Can we trust France? Apparently not. After more than 200 years of shared history and interests, the U.S.-France marriage looks as if it's ending in an acrimonious divorce. Here is the shocking insider account.In the wake of French behavior at the United Nations, where Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin systematically undermined the efforts of Secretary of State Colin Powell to convince the Security Council to authorize force against Iraq, Americans have at best come to suspect our ally of double dealing, and at worst come to view them as the enemy. Almost daily over the past year, new stories have emerged of how the government of French President Jacques Chirac has sought to undermine the U.S. war on terror, publicly sniping at America and inciting other countries to do the same. What's wrong with France? What's behind their recent perfidy? According to bestselling author Kenneth R. Timmerman, the American public doesn't know half the story. After they read The French Betrayal of America , American anger at France will turn to outrage.Timmerman, who worked as a journalist in France for eighteen years and knows the players on both sides, lifts the veil of Jacques Chirac's scandalous love affair with Saddam Hussein, beginning in 1975, when he took him on a tour of top-secret French nuclear facilities. The French attitude toward the dictator, which seemed to baffle American politicians, was in fact entirely predictable. Put bluntly, it was all about money, oil, and guns. Chirac needed Saddam's oil and Saddam's money, and Saddam needed French weapons and French nuclear technology.Despite this, the relationship between France and America was not only amicable but at times very mutually beneficial. That was until the most recent war on Iraq, where France turned the tables, engaging in dirty diplomacy and helping to sway other European countries to their side. French war coverage was not merely It was viciously inaccurate, skewed, and openly anti-American. Timmerman also presents incredible new evidence of France's duplicity, including the fact that the French stood to gain $100 billion from secret oil contracts they had concluded with Saddam Hussein.The French Betrayal of America raises questions of whether the nuclear cooperation agreements still in force with the French today should be canceled in light of France's behavior. Our security interests no longer converge, and our economic systems increasingly appear to be at loggerheads. The war in Iraq harshly exposed French treachery and their desire to do business with the worst of international tyrants, putting their economy, their international standing, and their relationship with a 200-year-old friend in severe jeopardy.Shocking new revelations in The French Betrayal of AmericaThe French president lied to Bush and to the public about the war in Iraq.President Jacques Chirac had personally told President George W. Bush well ahead of time that France would be at America's side.France urged Saddam to commit genocide.Saddam launched his genocidal campaign against the Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq to make their region "safe" for French oil engineers.France helped build Saddam's long-range missiles and nukes.Based on exclusive access to new documents, provided by Iraq to the United Nations -- that French defense companies were key partners in helping Saddam Hussein perfect the long-range missiles that killed U.S. soldiers in Saudi Arabia in 1991 and rained terror onto Israel.Chirac has blocked cooperation on a high-profile terrorism case.France's top counter-terrorism judge was ordered to stop cooperating with the United States in the prosecution of Zacarias Moussaoui despite mounds of documents that would have helped the United States to convict Moussaoui of conspiracy to commit mass murder.France illegally sold U.S. military secrets to Saddam Hussein.A prominent French defense company shipped U.S.-designed laser designator pods to Iraq in the 1980s that compromised the most high-tech weapons in the U.S. arsenal.President Mitterrand, a Socialist, became Ronald Reagan's best ally in Europe.The French Betrayal of America reveals the extent of French strategic and intelligence cooperation with the United States at the peak of the Cold War, in areas that will surprise readers on both sides of the Atlantic. The French ran a key agent inside the KGB, whose "cosmic" reach -- right up to the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union -- hastened the collapse of the Soviet Union.President Chirac almost went to jail for corruption.Chirac was on the verge of getting indicted on corruption charges in 1999 until he cooked up an immunity deal with the head of the French Supreme Court, former Socialist foreign minister Roland Dumas. While the French corruption scandals are well known in France, they have rarely been reported in the United States and will alternately shock and amuse American readers.The Bush administration is now offering France the secrets of our national missile defense.The French Betrayal of America reveals the hitherto top secret missile defense cooperation between the United States and France that has taken off at precisely the same time the Chirac government was undermining the United States on Iraq. Meanwhile, United States and French nuclear weapons designers continue to meet to exchange secrets of maintaining our respective nuclear arsenals.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and impact of educational policies in the United States. The authors provide a thorough analysis of the motives behind neoliberal and managerialist approaches and their consequences for public education. They offer a vision for a better future of education beyond the current limits of No Child Left Behind policy. The book's most unique and distinctive feature is its exploration of the psychology of NCLB advocates, which helps readers understand the forces driving education policy. Overall, Reclaiming Education for Democracy is a thought-provoking and informative read that offers an alternative perspective on public education.

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the different issues surrounding American education in the 1980s. It covers a wide range of topics, including school funding, standardized testing, and the debate between public and private education. It would be a great read for those interested in the history and politics of education in America.

If you're keen on understanding the broader geopolitical maneuvers and their impacts on a personal and national identity, "China is Messing with Your Mind" could intrigue you. Kausikan's experience as a diplomat enriches this book with authenticity and provides a non-conventional perspective on the tensions between global powers and their subtle cultural influences, particularly for Singapore. It's an especially relevant read if you're interested in international affairs, identity politics, or the dynamics of Asian geopolitics.

What on Earth is Going On? is a perfect read for those who want to stay up to date with the most important news events happening around us. This book provides a comprehensive and easy-to-understand alphabetical glossary of the key issues of our times, from climate change to the credit crunch, and from Darfur to Devolution. With amusing trivia, historical background, and deep insights, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to stay informed and understand what's happening in the world.

The End of History and the Last Man is an insightful read for those interested in understanding the fundamental changes that have taken place since the Cold War. Fukuyama's argument that liberal democracy has emerged as the ultimate global ideology still holds weight, making it a must-read for those seeking a deep understanding of contemporary global politics.

This book is an eye-opener for American Jews who are concerned about the future prospects of their community. Scott Shay presents a platform of ten mini-manifestos that can reinvigorate American Jewry as a whole. The author challenges conventional wisdom and deals with the most controversial and essential issues facing American Jews in a practical, doable fashion. The book is inspiring and will force readers to rethink their own pre-conceptions and conclusions about the state of American Jewry and its place in the world.

This book is a collection of inspiring stories of ordinary Americans who persevered with determination and hard work to achieve their American Dream. It shows that the American Dream is still alive and well, and accessible to anyone who is willing to work for it. The book emphasizes the inclusive nature of the American Dream, highlighting the wide range of aspirations and ambitions that it encompasses. It is a must-read for anyone looking for inspiration to follow their dreams and realizing their fullest potential.

Recommendation: "This book is a good read for anyone interested in the rapidly changing dynamic of news media. With contributions from prominent figures in the field, Global News offers a unique perspective on the impact of the digital age on journalism, making it essential reading for journalists and academics alike."

If you're fascinated by the interplay of cultural identities and how they influence national narratives, "The Chinese Question" could resonate with you. Caroline S. Hau delves into the evolving concepts of race, class, and ideology within the Philippines, framing it through the lens of the local Chinese community. This book might particularly appeal to those interested in ethnicity and regional dynamics in Southeast Asia, as it offers a profound exploration of what it means to belong and how heritage can shape an entire nation's perspective.

For most of the twentieth century, people with disabilities have been regarded as ‘victims’ of their condition and a ‘burden’ on society. More recently, however, disabled people and their organizations across Europe and North America have challenged conventional explanations for their individual and collective disadvantage, calling for policy measures to change the image and status of disabled people in the Western world.In this new book, Barnes and Mercer provide a concise and accessible introduction to the concept of disability. Drawing on a burgeoning ‘disability studies’ literature from around the world, and from a range of disciplinary perspectives, the authors explore the evolution of this concept and offer a wide-ranging critique of established academic, policy and professional orthodoxies. The book highlights disabled peoples’ exclusion and marginalization in key areas of social activity and participation across different historical and cultural contexts, such as family life and reproduction, education, employment, leisure, cultural imagery and politics.The analysis concentrates on disability as a distinctive form of social oppression similar to that experienced by women, minority ethnic and ‘racial’ groups, and lesbians and gay men. Key issues addressed theorizing disability; historical and comparative perspectives; experiencing impairment and disability; professional and policy intervention in the lives of disabled people; disability politics, social policy and citizenship; and disability culture.This will be essential reading for those studying sociology, social policy, social work, health studies, disability studies, and those in the therapy and nursing professions.

This book could be a good read for those interested in exploring the intricacies of governance in a rapidly changing world. With captivating metaphors like the 'black elephant' and concepts like the 'dialectic of governance', Peter Ho offers a systematic and insightful approach to understanding the future and building resilience. Whether you are a government official or simply curious about the dynamics of governance, this book provides valuable insights that can help navigate the complexities of our world.

"We live in paradoxical times. Traditionally, the West has led the world in theory and practice. Yet, recent developments, from COVID-19 to the storming of the US Capitol, show how lost the West has become. This loss of direction has deep roots. In their usual thoughtful and incisive fashion, Lim Mah-Hui and Michael Heng Siam-Heng, draw out the deeper origins of our current crises and show us a new way forward. A must-read for anyone who wants to understand our strange times." -- Kishore Mahbubani, founding Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, is the author of Has China Won?"A powerful and compelling critique of neoliberal globalization and its potentially devastating, but long underestimated, consequences for financial stability, the environment, social equity and democracy. COVID-19 has laid bare these dysfunctions and stresses. But this is not a pessimistic book. The authors argue, correctly, that we may be on the cusp of another Great Transformation. The choices we make today to make markets more resilient, improve social protection, and preserve our freedoms could lay the foundations for a sustainable globalization that works for future generations." -- Donald Low, Professor of Practice in Public Policy and Director of the Institute for Emerging Market Studies, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology"This fascinating book highlights the interplay between financial and health crises that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed. Financialized capitalism is bad for the planet, bad for human health, and creates more unequal and insecure societies. The authors make a strong and convincing case for re-embedding markets into society and finance into the real economy." --Jayati Ghosh, Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, USA"Lim and Heng's ambitious volume argues that 2020 was the year of the global 'perfect storm' of multiple crises, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating financial, economic, socio-political and environmental breakdowns. They extend Karl Polanyi's original insights to appeal for a sustainable global New Deal. While the reader may not agree with all their theses, the scope of their coverage and ambition will set the stage for debates over the annus horribilis." -- Jomo K.S., Founder-chair, IDEAS www.network.ideas; former United Nations Assistant Secretary General"This book provides plenty of food for thought for many pondering if the COVID-19 crisis could lead to a major transformation of the global economic system shaped by unfettered market forces and policies of governments in their service."-- Yilmaz Akyuz, former Director, UNCTAD, Geneva

Rethinking Globalization is a great read for teachers and educators who want to incorporate social justice into their curriculum. This book offers a wide range of lessons and activities that cover topics related to globalization and its impact on different communities. The book's unique and distinctive feature is its focus on teaching global justice in an accessible manner. Users who are interested in teaching social justice to their students would find this book to be an excellent resource.

In the struggle for women's equality, there is one subject still shrouded in silence - women's compulsive pursuit of beauty. The myth of female beauty challenges every woman, every day of her life. The author exposes the tyranny of the beauty myth through the ages and its oppressive function today, in the home and at work, in literature and the media, in relationships between men and women, between women and women. With examples, she confronts the beauty industry and its advertising and uncovers the reasons why women are consumed by this destructive obsession.

This book explores the complex relationship between feminism and development, presenting a range of perspectives from leading feminist thinkers. It highlights the challenges faced by feminists in bringing about social transformation and offers hope for dialogue and exchange in addressing inequality and injustice in developing countries. A must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of feminism and development.

Recommendation: American Resistance is an insightful and timely read, illuminating the ways in which grassroots movements have shaped US politics in recent years. Drawing on detailed data analysis, Dana R. Fisher charts the course of protests against the Trump administration, revealing the dynamic interplay between on-the-ground activism and broader political currents. This book stands out for its unique blend of quantitative and qualitative research methods, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in contemporary protest culture.

Integrity by Stephen Carter is an insightful book that explores the importance of integrity in American politics and everyday life. Carter weaves together philosophy, theology, history, and law to present a compelling vision of integrity that has implications for marriage, politics, and even professional football. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the role of integrity in society and the difficulties involved in trying to legislate it. The personal experiences and real-life examples make the book engaging and applicable in everyday life.

If you're intrigued by the tapestry of human experiences and reflections, you'll appreciate "The Birthday Book 2017". Each writer delves into a facet of Singapore's identity, challenging readers to consider what is fundamentally important to remember as a society grows. Their combined narratives form a compelling mosaic, revealing the resilient and aspirational spirit of a nation through personal and professional lenses.