During the Nuremberg Medical Trial (1946-1947), the perpetrators of the Nazi euthanasia program were barely prosecuted. The program, also known as Aktion T4, was essentially a campaign of mass murder, designed to cleanse society of individuals who were deemed undesirable: incurably ill, physically or mentally disabled, or simply old. Emmeline Burdett's close reading of the trial transcript and her careful parsing of the legacy of Aktion T4 are the genesis of this revealing book. Set against the backdrop of the experiences of people with disabilities during the Nazi era and then the unfolding of the medical trial, at the heart of Burdett's book is an exploration of the subsequent impact of the program—how it has influenced debates about euthanasia and related ethical issues across decades. In a sweeping narrative, she shows how both the dismissive attitude that many commentators have had to the program and the assumption by many disability activists that it is relevant to every disability-related ethical issue (i.e., the Nazi analogy) continue to have harmful, even catastrophic, repercussions.

In September 2013, Xi Jinping announced the launch of a Chinese-led megaproject, the Belt and Road Initiative, that would transform Asia's position within the global economy. Some ten years on, the BRI, while facing significant obstacles, has gone from strength to strength. How has China’s BRI diplomacy affected its image across Asia? What does the BRI mean for Sino-US competition? Will Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and footprint in the region hinder the BRI’s success? Addressing these questions and more, the authors of China Moves West offer a critical appraisal of how the BRI is progressing, how it is being perceived, and how it is navigating challenges in the geopolitically sensitive regions of Central, South, and West Asia.

"Ridge explains why scholars so often misread the political desires of people in the Arab world.” —Choice"Combines theoretical insights with impressive empirical evidence..

“The author masterfully pieces together and presents a comprehensive examination of the history and evolution of the war on drugs in the region and its inadvertent consequences..

“A much-needed contemporary foundation for understanding police reform in Latin America..

"Timely, topical, and thought-provoking…. This is a terrific analysis of how states have tried to bend finance to their will over the ages." —Randall Germain, Carleton University"An important contribution to our understanding of the relationship between finance and national security, exploring how the financial sector itself offers opportunities to exert influence. " —Thomas Oatley, Tulane University"The sinews of war," posited Cicero, "are infinite money." Can the same be said of security? Tackling this thought-provoking question, the authors of Waging War with Gold show how states across the centuries have weaponized the global finance domain—a constellation of economic, legal, and monetary relations—in order to exert influence and pursue national interests.

“Thoughtful political history of a much-neglected country.” —Nicolas van de Walle, Foreign Affairs "A rare feat of analysis and insight on Djibouti…. Samson gives an astute account of this 'freak-of-history' state and the often dubious maneuvering of its leaders since independence in 1977. His book is an absolute must for all those interested in Northeast Africa and its place in the world." —Jon Abbink, Leiden University."An eloquent and comprehensive analysis of past and present developments in Djibouti." —Leif Manger, University of Bergen."Interweaving national and international issues, Bezabeh's book contrasts social and political realities with the discourse proclaiming that independence brought freedom, equality, and well-being for Djibouti's population." —Simon Imbert-Vier, Institut des Mondes AfricainsWedged between Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia, at the intersection of the world’s busiest shipping routes, Djibouti has long been a global geostrategic hub. Samson Bezabeh traces the tortuous political history of this tiny country since its independence from France in 1977.Bezabeh challenges much conventional wisdom as he dissects Djibouti's trials and tribulations. Focusing on the internal, external, and historical factors that drive its domestic politics, his work exposes the troubling dynamics that have allowed the state to survive despite, or perhaps because of, the fragmentation of its society.

What causes widespread abuse of the electoral process? How do political elites choose and weigh the relative costs and benefits of differing kinds of electoral manipulation? How and why have patterns of electoral conduct changed over time? The authors of Electoral Malpractice in Asia answer these questions and more as they systematically compare the quality of elections across eleven democracies and electoral autocracies. Covering a range of regimes and practices, they highlight not only the varying ways that electoral integrity is violated, but also the consequences for the quality of democracy across the region.

“Offers valuable insights into personal and political aspects of Xi’s China and how he has shaped the country.” —Junchen Zhang, Asian Studies Review "A very good introduction to recent Chinese history and politics.… [Xi] is still a man of mystery, but this book is a good first step toward demystifying him. " —Dagens NæringslivWith steely determination, Xi Jinping has forged his way to absolute power at home, consolidated China's role as a global superpower, and promoted instrumental myths about his life. All the while, in many ways he has remained a mystery. Which is a problem, assert Stig Stenslie and Marte Kjær Galtung, because to understand China today, it is essential to understand Xi.Who is he? What is his vision for China? What explains his rise? How is he perceived by the masses? These are among the questions that gave rise to this book. Using Xi as a lens with which to examine China’s political development over the past decade, the authors succeed in shining new light on the innermost circles of Chinese politics and on the authoritarian leader himself.

"A unique and timely study of the political economy of small states in Asia Pacific in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, economic (de)globalization, and US-China rivalry." —Gang Guo, University of MississippiBoth the spread of Covid-19 and the intense US-China rivalry have been sources of stress for national economies throughout Asia Pacific. The authors of Asia-Pacific Small States, eschewing the usual focus on the region's powerhouses, turn their attention instead to the coping strategies of the smaller economies. Showing how these smaller states have been navigating the current turbulent times, they shed light not only on national experiences and recovery strategies, but also on the importance of so-called marginal players in today's geopolitical competition among major powers.

“Highly recommended.” —Choice"A most insightful, well-structured, and readable book that comprehensively explains the Western reaction to China's Belt and Road Initiative." —Klaus Larres, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillBy March 2022, a remarkable 144 countries had signed onto the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—China's massive investment and infrastructure development program—with significant implications for US foreign policy. Edward Ashbee explores how the US has reacted to this global expansion of Chinese power, tracing the arc of policy responses to the BRI from its inception in 2013 through early 2022.

“The holistic approach of this book provides precious insights not only for students and scholars but also for policymakers.” —Elena Potitò, International Spectator "Multifaceted, rigorously researched, and thoughtful..

“The authors conduct an expert autopsy of some of the most fraught gender issues in US politics.” —Anna Mahoney, Perspectives on Politics "The authors document U.S. public policy in a way that contextualizes the progression of women’s rights from the early 1800s through the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade.... they offer an accessible text for navigating the evolution of public policy.” —Liz Grauel, Resources for Gender and Women’s Studies“Especially valuable for students.... The authors are able to cover substantial policy ground in their exploration of both the historical origins of policies impacting women’s rights and contemporary developments.” —Sara Chatfield, Political Science Quarterly"Offers keen insights on contentious public policy issues that affect the status of women. The focus on the 'revolving door' toward progress highlights the complicated interactions among all three branches of government in the policymaking process." —Laura van Assendelft, Mary Baldwin UniversityDespite women's many gains in the political, economic, and social spheres, equality remains elusive—and in some areas, ground is being lost. Why? Why does the pay gap between women and men persist? Why is sexual harassment and assault so prevalent in schools and universities? Why are efforts to diminish women's individual autonomy, restricting their access to reproductive health care, succeeding?Susan Mezey and Megan Sholar address these disturbing questions, tracing the struggle for women's equal rights and opportunities in the US across more than a century.

“A concise, thoughtful and surprisingly helpful addition to the literature.” —Herman T. Salton, International Affairs "Historically rich, detailed, and practice focused. ... Provides an in-depth account of all the important issues that the UN is engaged in, as well as a discussion of how these emerged over time." —Matthias Hofferberth, University of Texas at San Antonio"Unique in both its breadth and depth of coverage of the United Nations.... An invaluable resource."—Rebecca McCumbers Flavin, Baylor UniversityThe United Nations has a vast outreach through its many agencies, funds, and programs—but that very fact can make it difficult for "outsiders" to understand.Among the questions that arise: How can the UN promote human rights when its charter prohibits its intervention in the domestic affairs of sovereign states? Why do the five permanent members of the Security Council have veto power? Can a dysfunctional Security Council be circumvented? How is consensus on policy ever reached? Where does the money to run this enormous system come from? The list goes on. In response, this new text clearly explains the UN's history, functions, and day-to-day operations.Ranging from development to disarmament, from electoral assistance to finance, the authors unveil the processes involved as diplomats and practitioners navigate the challenges of serving the common good while balancing opposing interests.

“A worthwhile and important contribution.” —Amber R. Reed, African Studies Review “A masterful study of policy successes in Africa…. This book is much more than a specialized monograph—it is a model for the application of the comparative method…. Highly recommended.”—Choice"Hern provides a robust analysis of key questions in African politics and development…. Well written and engaging, her book pushes conventional thinking about the region. Students and scholars alike will benefit from its insights." —Amy Patterson, University of the SouthWhat does it take for African countries to achieve political and economic successes? Scholarship on Africa tends to focus on the barriers to reaching desired outcomes. While recognizing that these barriers are very real, Erin Hern takes a contrary, unabashedly optimistic approach: rather than treating countries that perform well as "miracles," she seeks to normalize their success, analyzing the performance of those that have made good choices in the face of adverse circumstances.Hern shows how most-similar and most-different cases can be used to test major explanatory theories. Making the topic accessible to nonexperts, in each of five issue chapters she highlights two countries that have performed well, evaluates which theories can best explain their successes, and then turns to two shadow cases (countries that have not performed as well) to evaluate whether those theories remain plausible. Including an opening chapter that introduces the theory and methods of comparative politics, this provocative book is ideal for classroom use.

“An indispensable primer on the ‘aid industry’ for anyone working in international development or conducting research on the topic. .