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Peace and Security in Indo-Pacific Asia is for the informed, the interested, and the engaged. Sorpong Peou brings together the skills of the pedagogue with the knowledge of the scholar. -Dr. David Dewitt, University Professor Emeritus, Senior Scholar, York University, Toronto, Canada. Peou's excellent book provides both the lay reader and the specialist with six important theoretical frameworks which should provide the basis for better appreciation of what a security community in Indo-Pacific Asia means in our world today. There are very few scholars who understand the region like Peou. -Dr. W. Andy Knight, Professor of Political Science, the University of Alberta, Canada. Sorpong Peou's extraordinary breadth of knowledge, of both International Relations theory and the key trends in Indo-Pacific Asia, shines through in this authoritative analysis. -Dr. Richard Stubbs, Professor of Political Science, McMaster University, Canada. A pedagogical approach of the textbook thatis appreciated is how the author respectfully engages with the theories of IR and is not pushing an agenda of denouncing some theories and trying to persuade the reader of others. We live in such polarizing times that it is truly refreshing to read scholarly work that avoids sensationalistic attacks on theories that have been debated for decades. Each theory in this manuscript is explored on its own terms, and the reader is encouraged to figure out where they stand on these enduring debates in the context of Indo-Pacific security. The approach will lead to compelling classroom discussions of the theories and the politics of the region. This book is a must-read for any student or observer of security trends in the region. -Dr. Mark Williams, Chair and Professor of Political Studies, Vancouver Island University, B.C., Canada.

This paper deals with the role of science in large scale ecosystem projects, in particular bioregional assessment, in the United States and Europe. Bioregional assessment is a relatively new approach to ecosystem management that involves a scientific assessment of a so-called bioregion - an area that is demarcated by ecological instead of political boundaries. Scientists play an important role in this approach which is closely related to policy. The goal of this paper, therefore, is to examine new roles of science in natural resource policy and to study the reflection of these roles in bioregional assessment or similar approaches in the U.S. and Europe. The author developed her research design in accordance with grounded theory, which is a methodological approach to generate theory from qualitative data. The research was based on case studies that were used to develop general categories describing the role of science in ecosystem projects. The cases were examined by interviewing scientists as experts who had participated in the projects or activities . ; Thema dieser Arbeit ist die Rolle der Wissenschaft in Ökosystemmanagementprojekten, vor allem Bioregional Assessment, in Europa und in den USA. Bioregional Assessment ist ein relativ neuer Ansatz des Ökosystemmanagements, bei dem Wissenschaftler eine sogenannte Bioregion untersuchen, ein Gebiet, das nicht aufgrund politischer sondern aufgrund ökologischer Grenzen definiert wird. Wissenschaftler spielen eine wichtige Rolle bei diesem Ansatz, der sie oft in die unmittelbare Nähe politischer Entscheidungsfindung stellt. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, neue Rollenmodelle der Wissenschaft in der Ressourcenpolitik zu untersuchen und diese mit den Aufgaben der wissenschaftlichen Beratung im Ökosystemmanagement in Europa und den USA in Beziehung zu setzen. Bei ihrem wissenschaftlichen Vorgehen orientierte sich die Autorin an der Grounded Theory, einem methodischen Ansatz, der es erlaubt, Theorie auf der Basis qualitativer Daten zu entwickeln. Die Daten wurden anhand von Fallstudien erhoben, die als Grundlage zur Entwicklung allgemeinerer Kategorien dienten. Dazu wurden Wissenschaftler, die an den entsprechenden Projekten oder Organisationen beteiligt waren, in offenen, leitfadenorientierten Experteninterviews befragt .

"This book presents a comprehensive and incisive exploration of the intricacies of the Italian political system. Written in a lucid and informative style, the work features: an examination of Italian political history from 1943 to the present day; an analysis of the governmental system, the constitutional framework, the core institutions, the electoral system and the key parties; analysis of the role of contemporary pressure groups and social movements including environmental, labour and institutional organizations; discussion of important topical issues such as corruption and organized crime; an exploration of Italian foreign policy towards the EU, the US and the wider world; illustrated with a wide range of examples, tables and figures. Italian Politics: Exploring the Dynamics of Political Change is an indispensable resource for students and scholars delving into Italian politics, Italian studies, European politics/studies, political systems, and comparative politics"--

Objective: In this study, we analyzed self-reported computer use, demographic variables, psychosocial variables, and health and well-being variables collected from 460 ethnically diverse, community-dwelling elders to investigate the relationship computer use has with demographics, well-being, and other key psychosocial variables in older adults. Background: Although younger elders with more education, those who employ active coping strategies, or those who are low in anxiety levels are thought to use computers at higher rates than do others, previous research has produced mixed or inconclusive results regarding ethnic, gender, and psychological factors or has concentrated on computer-specific psychological factors only (e.g., computer anxiety). Few such studies have employed large sample sizes or have focused on ethnically diverse populations of community-dwelling elders. Method: With a large number of overlapping predictors, zero-order analysis alone is poorly equipped to identify variables that are independently associated with computer use. Accordingly, both zero-order and stepwise logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the correlates of two types of computer use: e-mail and general computer use. Results: Results indicate that younger age, greater level of education, non-Hispanic ethnicity, behaviorally active coping style, general physical health, and role-related emotional health each independently predicted computer usage. Conclusion: Study findings highlight differences in computer usage, especially in regard to Hispanic ethnicity and specific health and well-being factors. Application: Potential applications of this research include future intervention studies, individualized computer-based activity programming, or customizable software and user interface design for older adults responsive to a variety of personal characteristics and capabilities.

In the paper ethnic identity, concepts of ethnic identity and strategies of those concepts in Lithuanian Exile are analysed. Usually in Lithuanian Exile surveys ethnic and national identities are handled as systematized and relatively stable forms of nationalism. In this paper ethnic identity is analysed on the basis of internal contradictions within diaspora and power relations (on the basis of gender, racial, ethnic groups' relations). In the paper we predicate that forms and practices of national collectivity are and can not only be transferred to emigrant community but are constantly transformed while changing boundaries and carrying other shifts in relation to other ethnic communities, and is a part of political formation of identity. In ethnic identity surveys collective identity and ethnic culture were handled as coherent unity, whereas ethnic identity is a part of constantly constructed and shifting processes. Hence in the topic not acculturation theory is chosen either but broader analytical model – through discursive practices, taking into account newspapers' analysis and organizational network in diaspora. Empirical material in the survey chosen is diaspora press and institutions in diaspora. Analytical model – newspapers' content analysis, analysis of strategies, making presumption that linguistic meanings and structural realization are bound together, analysis of practises of implementation – through diaspora institutions and family model. Tasks in the paper – to identify existing perceptions of Lithuanian identity, narratives and discourses of "lithuanianess", to analyse dominant strategies and forms (practices of exclusion and admission of group members, internal group contradictions). Particular attention is committed to youth organizations and role of women in Lithuanian diaspora in implementing political identity formation strategies. The paper conclusion is that Lithuanian intelligentsia had an access in constructing ethnic identity, on the basis of conservative discourse constructed by intellectuals complete social network of diaspora was established which functioned for implementing ethnic identity and ethnic culture. To sustain collective ethnic identity mechanisms of excluding group members were employed, as a result – ethnic continuity was not preserved.

In the paper ethnic identity, concepts of ethnic identity and strategies of those concepts in Lithuanian Exile are analysed. Usually in Lithuanian Exile surveys ethnic and national identities are handled as systematized and relatively stable forms of nationalism. In this paper ethnic identity is analysed on the basis of internal contradictions within diaspora and power relations (on the basis of gender, racial, ethnic groups' relations). In the paper we predicate that forms and practices of national collectivity are and can not only be transferred to emigrant community but are constantly transformed while changing boundaries and carrying other shifts in relation to other ethnic communities, and is a part of political formation of identity. In ethnic identity surveys collective identity and ethnic culture were handled as coherent unity, whereas ethnic identity is a part of constantly constructed and shifting processes. Hence in the topic not acculturation theory is chosen either but broader analytical model – through discursive practices, taking into account newspapers' analysis and organizational network in diaspora. Empirical material in the survey chosen is diaspora press and institutions in diaspora. Analytical model – newspapers' content analysis, analysis of strategies, making presumption that linguistic meanings and structural realization are bound together, analysis of practises of implementation – through diaspora institutions and family model. Tasks in the paper – to identify existing perceptions of Lithuanian identity, narratives and discourses of "lithuanianess", to analyse dominant strategies and forms (practices of exclusion and admission of group members, internal group contradictions). Particular attention is committed to youth organizations and role of women in Lithuanian diaspora in implementing political identity formation strategies. The paper conclusion is that Lithuanian intelligentsia had an access in constructing ethnic identity, on the basis of conservative discourse constructed by intellectuals complete social network of diaspora was established which functioned for implementing ethnic identity and ethnic culture. To sustain collective ethnic identity mechanisms of excluding group members were employed, as a result – ethnic continuity was not preserved.

The introduction of a single currency in Europe was a radical economic change. The introduction of a single Constitution seems to be even more radical political change. The negative votes of France and Holland show the fears which people have about the proposed Constitution. This article offers an historical explanation of these fears and their socio-political significance. From the point of view of the economic fears, the challenge of globalization is seen through the eyes of Marx and Engels; from the point of view of the ideal society, Maquiavelo and Keynes are our guides. Finally, a short consideration is presented about the moral and political problems possed by the new circumstances to the moral and political doctrine of social contract and general will. ; La introducción del euro como única moneda europea supuso un cambio económico radical. Introducir una única Constitución parece ser un cambio mucho más radical. Los votos negativos de Francia y Holanda muestran los miedos que la sociedad tiene respecto de la Constitución que se les propone. Este artículo ofrece una explicación histórica de estos miedos y su significado sociopolítico. Desde el punto de vista de los miedos económicos, el desafío de la globalización es visto a través de los ojos de Marx y Engels; desde el punto de vista de la sociedad ideal, Maquiavelo y Keynes nos sirven de guías. Finalmente, el artículo se cierra con una breve reflexión sobre los problemas políticos que plantean las nuevas circunstancias a la doctrina moral y política del contrato social y la voluntad general.

The need to analyse labour market mechanisms in post-industrial Western societies is urgent. Despite laws and policy measures being developed at the European, national and local levels, job-seeking immigrants and ethnic minorities still suffer unequal access and ethnic discrimination. This volume endeavours to understand why. Four chapters dealing with discrimination, gender, equity policies and diversity management present a lively discussion of the current scientific debate. Besides providing empirical evidence, the authors recommend methods for conducting further research in the field and evaluate the actual effects of discrimination-combating policies. One conclusion is that systematic analysis of the labour market and its subsequent equity policies must be supported by hard data, such as statistics. With its state-of-the-art scope and unique thematic exploration, this volume transfers knowledge from social science studies to a more operational realm. From here, both scholars and practitioners can help make equal opportunities more accessible than ever. - De noodzaak om de arbeidsmarkt mechanismen in postindustriële westerse samenlevingen te analyseren is urgent. Ondanks wetten en beleidsmaatregelen die op Europees, nationaal en lokaal niveau worden ontwikkeld, lijdt het zoeken van werk door immigranten en etnische minderheden nog steeds onder ongelijke toegang tot de arbeidsmarkt en etnische discriminatie. In dit boek proberen de auteurs te begrijpen waarom dit zo is. In vier hoofdstukken over discriminatie, gender, eigen beleid en diversiteitmanagement presenteren de auteurs de levendige discussie rond het huidige wetenschappelijke debat. Naast het verstrekken van empirisch bewijs, bevelen de auteurs methoden aan om verder onderzoek te verrichten en de werkelijke effecten van de bestrijding van discriminatiebeleid te evalueren. Een conclusie is dat de systematische analyse van de arbeidsmarkt en het daaropvolgende eigen beleid moet worden ondersteund door harde gegevens, zoals statistieken. Met zijn reikwijdte en unieke thematische exploratie, kennis van sociaalwetenschappelijk onderzoek beoogt dit boek een verschuiving te laten plaatsvinden naar het meer operationele domein. Zowel wetenschappers en professionals krijgen hierdoor de mogelijkheid het streven naar gelijke kansen meer bereikbaar te maken dan ooit.

What role has religion played in social protest movements? This important book examines how activists have used religious resources such as liturgy, prayer, song and vestments with a focus on the following global case studies: The mid-twentieth century US civil rights movement. The late twentieth century antiabortion movement in the United States of America. The early twenty-first century water protectors' movement at Standing Rock, North Dakota. Indian independence led by Mohandas Gandhi in the early 1930s. The Polish Solidarity movement of the 1980s. The South African anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s and 1990s. Prayer as a sacred act is usually associated with piety and pacifism; however, it can be argued that those who pray in public while protesting are more likely to encounter violence. Drawing on journalistic accounts, participant reflections, and secondary literature, Religion and Social Protest Movements offers both historical and theoretical perspectives on the persistent correlation of the use of public prayer with an increase in conflict and violence. This book is an important read for students and researchers in history and religious studies, and those in related fields such as sociology, African-American studies, and Native American studies.

1. Narrating the Field, Narrating Life -- 2. Kurdish Women as Political Agents: Kurdish Political Movement, Gender Equality and Women's Freedom -- 3. Kurdish Women in Political Organizations: The Kurdish Movement and pro-Kurdish Political Parties -- 4. Kurdish Women Talk: Narrations through Everyday Life -- 5. Conclusion

Part I: Women, Tradition and Social Change -- 1. Women as Bearers of Modernity and Tradition; Melanie Krebs -- 2. 'Supra is not for women': Hospitality Practices as a Lens on Gender and Social change; Costanza Curro -- 3. Women against Authoritarianism and Patriarchy: Agency and Political Protest in Armenia; Ulrike Ziemer -- Part II: Experiencing War and Displacement -- 4. Between Love, Pain and Identity: Armenian Women after World War I; Anna Aleksanyan -- 5. 'We are strangers among our own people': Displaced Armenian Women; Shushanik Ghazaryan -- 6. Vulnerability and Resilience: Women's Narratives of Forced Displacement from Abkhazia; Nargiza Arjevanidze -- 7. The Politics of Widowhood in Nagorny Karabakh; Nona Shahnazarian and Ulrike Ziemer -- 8. Invisible Battlefield: How the Politicization of LGBT Issues Affects the Visibility of LBT Women in Georgia; Natia Gvianishvili -- 9. Exploring Two Generations of Women Activists in Azerbaijan: Between Feminism and a Post-Soviet Locality; Yuliya Aliyeva Gureyeva -- 10. Feminism in Azerbaijan: Gender, Community and Nation-Building; Sinead Walsh

Gender inequality in sciences is an ongoing unsolved issue. Many studies have been carried out to tackle the gender specific problems in scientific communication and scientific careers. The EU-Statistics ("She Figures") document the still dominant pattern of lower female presence in higher academic ranks in almost all European Union member states. There are discrepancies between EU science policy and national social policies. The prevailing "publish or perish" attitude, atypical employment as accepted norm and the forced international mobility are factors which hamper the young and female academics' scientific careers. How open for women are the so called "open initiatives"? Women are sceptical towards FLOSS (free/libre open source software), they feel intimidated by the male dominated "chilly" working climate. Only 13 percent of the international Wikipedia writers are female. Only articles on traditionally male topics as soccer are considered as relevant in the German Wikipedia and are allowed to "survive". There is almost no open access publishing in German gender studies. Generally the surveys of attitudes and practices of scholars on open access publishing ignore the gender variable. The only exception is a larger survey of the DFG. In this study women more often than men wish more training in open access publishing techniques.

Coming-out stellt insbesondere für lesbische und schwule Jugendliche und junge Erwachsene eine relevante Aushandlung mit Umfeld und Welt dar. Der Beitrag untersucht das Erleben und Gestalten dieser Praxis. Die Sekundäranalyse 19 problemzentrierter Interviews zeigt, dass Coming-out als Problem des Spektakels hervorhebender Dramatisierung und des unausweichlichen Drucks gedeutet wird. Strategien der Heteronormalisierung, der Usurpation und der Aussetzung der Seinsrelation reagieren auf diese Problematisierungen und setzen sie teilweise außer Kraft. Die Fallstricke der Sichtbarkeit als Politikum, Authentizitätsanforderung und unhintergehbare Tatsache verweisen dabei auf eine gesellschaftliche Wandlung - eine Transformation der Ökonomie der Sichtbarkeit. Trotz - oder gerade wegen - der Vielzahl sich outender Stars und Aktivist_innen, Familien- und Freundschaftserzählungen sind nicht Lesbisch- und Schwul-Sein selbstverständlicher geworden, sondern die Praxis des Comingouts. Der Akt der Herstellung von Sichtbarkeit hat eine Eigenständigkeit entwickelt und ist nun selbst Zeichen der Homosexualität.

This open access book is the first book that attempts to treat the notion of articulation as an important concept to be added to the lexicon of communication studies and social science. It constitutes the first comprehensive and systematic discussion of 'articulation' in English, providing an introduction of its usages and what has occurred on its 'travels' from one theoretical realm to another in political philosophy, structural linguistics, new economic anthropology, cultural studies and post-Marxist discourse theory. The proposed research takes a relational approach to society and social action in a way that recognises their relative autonomy. It entails an introduction of the 'discursive turn' in the imagery of society and social change, thereby proving that the relational concept of articulation/Gliederung has potential to consider society as both a structured, complex whole and a product of human interaction.