Alasdair Blair – författare

The European Union (EU) faces immediate and long-term challenges as it responds to the changing nature of the 21st-century global order. While the EU is the world’s most successful multilateral institution that continues to attract applications from prospective member states, it faces the challenge of responding to the increasing support for populist political parties and dealing with erosion of democratic values within its member states.In this fully revised and updated third edition, Alasdair Blair examines the economic, political, personal, and social factors that have shaped the process of European integration since the end of the Second World War. Reflecting the most recent developments and presented in clear, accessible language, the book explores:The context of European integrationThe relations between the EU and its member statesThe evolution of the EU’s institutionsMethods of decision-makingKey EU policiesThe rise of populismThe crises that the EU has faced in the 21st centuryThe future direction of European integrationComprehensive and accessible, this book is an essential guide to understanding how the EU works and why it is even more important in the 21st century than when it was founded after the Second World War.

The European Union (EU) faces immediate and long-term challenges as it responds to the changing nature of the 21st-century global order. While the EU is the world’s most successful multilateral institution that continues to attract applications from prospective member states, it faces the challenge of responding to the increasing support for populist political parties and dealing with erosion of democratic values within its member states.In this fully revised and updated third edition, Alasdair Blair examines the economic, political, personal, and social factors that have shaped the process of European integration since the end of the Second World War. Reflecting the most recent developments and presented in clear, accessible language, the book explores:The context of European integrationThe relations between the EU and its member statesThe evolution of the EU’s institutionsMethods of decision-makingKey EU policiesThe rise of populismThe crises that the EU has faced in the 21st centuryThe future direction of European integrationComprehensive and accessible, this book is an essential guide to understanding how the EU works and why it is even more important in the 21st century than when it was founded after the Second World War.

This text examines how businesses and the environment interact. It is ideal for students with no previous knowledge of business studies. It examines in depth the ways in which business, industry, the physical environment, environmentalism and social change have evolved alongside each other. The authors use boxed case-studies to highlight how business practice and the environment interact at levels from local to global, with examples from multinational companies, government bodies, national charities and local enterprise. The book also contains a large number of informative diagrams. The case studies include:* Shell Oil's environmental policy* railways and the industrial revolution* the British National Trust's business enterprises* Sainsbury's approach to organic foods* Australia's landcare scheme* changing trends in retailing* Brent Spar* big game hunting and conservation.

This text examines how businesses and the environment interact. It is ideal for students with no previous knowledge of business studies. It examines in depth the ways in which business, industry, the physical environment, environmentalism and social change have evolved alongside each other. The authors use boxed case-studies to highlight how business practice and the environment interact at levels from local to global, with examples from multinational companies, government bodies, national charities and local enterprise. The book also contains a large number of informative diagrams. The case studies include:* Shell Oil's environmental policy* railways and the industrial revolution* the British National Trust's business enterprises* Sainsbury's approach to organic foods* Australia's landcare scheme* changing trends in retailing* Brent Spar* big game hunting and conservation.

This accessible, user-friendly guide provides students with all the key information and analysis on the European Union and its policies.It covers the main areas, such as the single market and budgeting, and also explores recent developments involving the introduction of the Economic and Monetary Union and the Treaty of Nice.With the accession of ten new member States, the EU is experiencing dramatic changes and this is a comprehensive and thematic guide to all the recent developments. Companion to the European Union is an essential purchase for all students getting to grips with the complexities of the EU and is also an excellent resource for lecturers and professionals.

This accessible, user-friendly guide provides students with all the key information and analysis on the European Union and its policies.It covers the main areas, such as the single market and budgeting, and also explores recent developments involving the introduction of the Economic and Monetary Union and the Treaty of Nice.With the accession of ten new member States, the EU is experiencing dramatic changes and this is a comprehensive and thematic guide to all the recent developments. Companion to the European Union is an essential purchase for all students getting to grips with the complexities of the EU and is also an excellent resource for lecturers and professionals.

This accessible, user-friendly and bang-up-to-date introduction to International Politics blends key facts and terms with strong analytical commentary, examining the debates and issues of greatest relevance to the study of the subject.Focusing on the period since 1900, the book provides detailed coverage of key events from the origins of the First World War to the post-Cold War international order. Written in a clear and jargon-free style, particular features include:*The shift from Great Powers to Superpowers in the first half of the twentieth century*The Cold War and post-Cold War order*A fresh approach to understanding the relevancy of theory*State and non-state actors*The challenge of globalization*Order, justice and security in International PoliticsThis clear and authoritative account of International Politics benefits from an exhaustive list of boxes, tables and figures, as well as extensive cross-referencing throughout. This book is an essential guide to understanding the challenges that face world peace and security in the twenty-first century.

Published in 1999. This book provides a detailed analysis of the positions and strategies adopted by Britain during the 1990-91 Intergovernmental Conference which concluded in the Maastricht Treaty on European Union. The main focus is on the questions of British policy coordination and the factors which determined the government’s position during the negotiations on European Political Union and European Monetary Union. This is the first major study which reconstructs the mechanisms of British policy making and notes the internal and external factors which shaped the construction of the government’s position on the major points of the negotiations. The hypothesis of the book is that domestic politics, primarily through the Prime Minister’s aim to maintain the unity of the Conservative Party, was the determining factor in shaping government policy. This view is based upon micro-level empirical analysis undertaken through a methodological approach of historical interpretation.

Published in 1999. This book provides a detailed analysis of the positions and strategies adopted by Britain during the 1990-91 Intergovernmental Conference which concluded in the Maastricht Treaty on European Union. The main focus is on the questions of British policy coordination and the factors which determined the government’s position during the negotiations on European Political Union and European Monetary Union. This is the first major study which reconstructs the mechanisms of British policy making and notes the internal and external factors which shaped the construction of the government’s position on the major points of the negotiations. The hypothesis of the book is that domestic politics, primarily through the Prime Minister’s aim to maintain the unity of the Conservative Party, was the determining factor in shaping government policy. This view is based upon micro-level empirical analysis undertaken through a methodological approach of historical interpretation.

This Seminar Studies title is a succinct study of modern British foreign policy, focusing on the period from 1945 to the present day. Since the end of the Second World War, Britain has been engaged in international conflicts from the Suez Crisis to the Gulf War and has actively sought involvement in transnational and global affairs. Starting with a brief overview of the rise and fall of the British Empire and continuing chronologically with detailed chapters covering the second half of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first, Alasdair Blair discusses the highs and lows of British foreign policy in an accessible yet analytical manner. Dealing with themes such as the issues triggered by decolonisation and the changing relationship between Britain and Europe, this text considers the pivotal moments in modern Britain’s engagement with the wider world.Included in this title are supporting materials, such as a chronology of important events from 1945, a Who’s Who of key government figures and a collection of relevant primary sources. Thorough yet concise, Britain and the World since 1945 is the ideal resource for students interested in the development of British foreign policy.

The European Union faces a crossroads in the twenty-first century. While there is evidence of declining enthusiasm for European integration, the EU plays an increasingly vital role in tackling problems that can no longer be dealt with at member state level. In recent years, the EU has developed a stronger foreign, security and defence policy, and has had to face up to the challenges of tackling organised crime, human trafficking and drug smuggling. In this fully updated new edition, Alasdair Blair examines the economic, political, social and personal factors that have shaped the process of European integration from the end of the Second World War until the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. Written in a clear and jargon-free style, the book explores:The context of European integration and expansionThe relations between the European Union and its member statesThe institutional evolution of the European UnionMethods of decision-makingKey policies of the European UnionThe future direction of the European UnionComprehensive and accessible, this book is an essential guide to understanding the relevance of the European Union in the twenty-first century.

The European Union faces a crossroads in the twenty-first century. While there is evidence of declining enthusiasm for European integration, the EU plays an increasingly vital role in tackling problems that can no longer be dealt with at member state level. In recent years, the EU has developed a stronger foreign, security and defence policy, and has had to face up to the challenges of tackling organised crime, human trafficking and drug smuggling. In this fully updated new edition, Alasdair Blair examines the economic, political, social and personal factors that have shaped the process of European integration from the end of the Second World War until the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. Written in a clear and jargon-free style, the book explores:The context of European integration and expansionThe relations between the European Union and its member statesThe institutional evolution of the European UnionMethods of decision-makingKey policies of the European UnionThe future direction of the European UnionComprehensive and accessible, this book is an essential guide to understanding the relevance of the European Union in the twenty-first century.

This Seminar Studies title is a succinct study of modern British foreign policy, focusing on the period from 1945 to the present day. Since the end of the Second World War, Britain has been engaged in international conflicts from the Suez Crisis to the Gulf War and has actively sought involvement in transnational and global affairs. Starting with a brief overview of the rise and fall of the British Empire and continuing chronologically with detailed chapters covering the second half of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first, Alasdair Blair discusses the highs and lows of British foreign policy in an accessible yet analytical manner. Dealing with themes such as the issues triggered by decolonisation and the changing relationship between Britain and Europe, this text considers the pivotal moments in modern Britain’s engagement with the wider world.Included in this title are supporting materials, such as a chronology of important events from 1945, a Who’s Who of key government figures and a collection of relevant primary sources. Thorough yet concise, Britain and the World since 1945 is the ideal resource for students interested in the development of British foreign policy.

Focusing on the period since 1900, Global Politics combines historical coverage of the key events that have shaped global politics from the origins of the First World War to the War on Terror with thematic chapters that examine the key structures, policies and issues of the contemporary world. New for This Edition: Completely refreshed, from the introduction to the conclusion. New chapters chart key debates in global politics such as the significance of Regionalism, the challenge of human security and the rise of new powers such as China and Brazil. New, up-to-date examples throughout the book.

As complex, large institutions, universities present unique challenges for leaders. What is the nature of leadership for the 21st century? Should universities continue to rely predominantly on recruiting from within or should university leaders be drawn from wider professional fields and industries? How should such leaders be developed and supported? What does the existing research tell us about all of these questions, and what further research needs to be done?International Perspectives on Leadership in Higher Education examines how contemporary leaders in higher education – in different disciplines, at different levels and in different parts of the world – are identified, developed and supported. Employing a mixture of theoretical, practical and personal perspectives, it shows how notions and expectations of leadership in higher education are changing, discusses the varied reasons behind these trends, and speculates on possible future developments.International Perspectives on Leadership in Higher Education is essential reading for new and aspiring leaders in higher education worldwide, as well as for those responsible for selecting and supporting leaders to thrive in a higher education environment.