David Farrell - Böcker

How relevant and vital are political parties in contemporary democracies? Do they fulfill the functions that any stable and effective democracy might expect of them, or are they little more than moribund anachronisms, relics of a past age of political life, now superseded by other mechanisms of linkage between state and society? These are the central questions which this book aims to address through a rigorous comparative analysis of political parties operating in the world's advanced industrial democracies. Drawing on the expertise of an impressive team of internationally known specialists, the book engages systematically with the evidence to show that, while a degree of popular cynicism towards them is often chronic, though rarely acute, parties have adapted and survived as organizations, remodelling themselves to the needs of an era in which patterns of linkage and communication with social groups have been transformed. This has enabled them to remain central to democratic systems, especially in respect of the political functions of governance, recruitment and, albeit more problematically, interest aggregation. On the other hand, the challenges they face in respect of interest articulation, communication and participation have pushed parties into more marginal roles within Western political systems. The implications of these findings for democracy depend on the observer's normative and theoretical perspectives. Those who understand democracy primarily in terms of popular choice and control in public affairs will probably see parties as continuing to play a central role, while those who place greater store by the more demanding criteria of optimizing interests and instilling civic orientations among citizens are far more likely to be fundamentally critical. Comparative Politics is a series for students and teachers of political science that deals with contemporary issues in comparative government and politics. The General Editors are Max Kaase, Vice President and Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, International University Bremen, and Kenneth Newton, Professor of Government at Southampton University. The series is published in association with the European Consortium for Political Research.

How relevant and vital are political parties in contemporary democracies? Do they fulfill the functions that any stable and effective democracy might expect of them, or are they little more than moribund anachronisms, relics of a past age of political life, now superseded by other mechanisms of linkage between state and society? These are the central questions which this book aims to address through a rigorous comparative analysis of political parties operating in the world's advanced industrial democracies. Drawing on the expertise of an impressive team of internationally known specialists, the book engages systematically with the evidence to show that, while a degree of popular cynicism towards them is often chronic, though rarely acute, parties have adapted and survived as organizations, remodelling themselves to the needs of an era in which patterns of linkage and communication with social groups have been transformed. This has enabled them to remain central to democratic systems, especially in respect of the political functions of governance, recruitment and, albeit more problematically, interest aggregation. On the other hand, the challenges they face in respect of interest articulation, communication and participation have pushed parties into more marginal roles within Western political systems. The implications of these findings for democracy depend on the observer's normative and theoretical perspectives. Those who understand democracy primarily in terms of popular choice and control in public affairs will probably see parties as continuing to play a central role, while those who place greater store by the more demanding criteria of optimizing interests and instilling civic orientations among citizens are far more likely to be fundamentally critical.

This volume looks at the political events and discusses the major issues of 1994, most notably the European parliament elections.

Designed to sit along the 2008 set, Electoral Behaviour, this collection brings together leading electoral systems experts from either side of the Atlantic. The last 25 years have seen this initially underdeveloped discipline in political science grow exponentially in level and range of output. Examining and mapping these rapid developments this collection covers the following general themes:- electoral system design and reform- indices relating to electoral systems, such as proportionality, effective number of parties- Duverger′s Laws- electoral systems, stability and other consequences- particular electoral systems.

Bringing together ten leading researchers in the field of deliberative democracy, this important book examines the features of a Deliberative Mini-Public (DMP) and considers how DMPs link into democratic systems. It examines the core design features of DMPs and their role in the broader policy process and takes stock of the characteristics that distinguish them from other forms of citizen participation. In doing so, the book offers valuable insights into the contributions that DMPs can make not only to the policy process, but also to the broader agenda of revitalising democracy in contemporary times.

Heart disease, cancer, diabetes metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity - the diseases of western civilisation. What’s gone wrong? The Industrial Revolution and our staggering technological and economic development have provided us with unprecedented amounts of food, but is it any good? Renowned nutrition specialist David Farrell is convinced that much of it is not. Evolutionary, we are much the same hominid as our ancestors who first strode the plains of Africa, spear in hand. Our abundant but deficient diet (insufficient roughage, omega-3 fats, too much salt) is inconsistent with our evolutionary heritage.In this common sense and easy-to-ready treatise, David explains where we have gone wrong, and how we can get back on the right track. We have developed marvellously efficient agricultural techniques, such as factory farming of animals and genetically-engineered crops, but do they produce unhealthful, deficient food? Using a few simple dietary changes suggested by David Farrell, we can adapt our modern diet to reclaim the good health benefits enjoyed by our fit forebears.

What you do really does matter! This book is a must read for nursing home administrators, directors of nursing, and others in leadership positions in long-term care. It offers practical, commonsense, easy-to-implement approaches that will yield immediate positive results. It also serves as a wake-up call to leaders who doubt their impact and as an affirmation to leaders who struggle daily to do a good job. Let Meeting the Leadership Challenge in Long-Term Care open the door to new possibilities and set your organisation on a better course.Too often long-term care leaders feel overwhelmed by regulatory, financial, and corporate constraints and succumb to the myth that staff turnover is an inevitable cost of doing business. This book debunks this myth, revealing the powerful link between staff satisfaction and successful organisational performance that delivers high quality, high census, good surveys, and a healthy bottom line.Based on extensive on-the-ground experience with implementing and guiding hundreds of nursing homes through successful organisational transformations, the authors offer advice and wisdom that can make your organisation more successful, efficient and stable, whether it is currently struggling or thriving. Just a few of the take-home lessons from your this constructive guide include how toGet and keep the right staff, including how to identify ""triple crown winners""Reduce staff stress and promote solid teamworkBuild a positive chain of leadership that brings out the best in the staffConvert money now spent on turnover into resources to support stabilityImprove corporate support with an instructive ""Stop Doing List""Use quality improvement and culture change practices to achieve high performanceIncrease staff, family, and resident satisfactionMake a meaningful impact as a leader Watch these benefits unfold right before your eyes in one of the most unique features of this book: a journal documenting administrator David Farrell’s experience turning around a nursing home that was by all measures doing poorly. Through his difficulties, triumphs, tragedies, and everyday experiences, see how better outcomes are attainable by focusing on leadership practices that make a difference.Widely recognised as experts in the long-term care field, the authors of Meeting the Leadership Challenge in Long-Term Care combine their years of experience in nursing home leadership and management to create a resource that can transform how long-term care facilities are run.2012 National Mature Media Award (Bronze Award Winner)