Clara Egger - Böcker

This book challenges the idea that representative democracy is the pinnacle of political development.The authors argue that when citizens can directly initiate and veto constitutional changes, democracy enters a new phase – direct democracy – as a distinct political system. Using original data and comparisons across six countries and 15 U.S. states, the book shows that direct democracies foster legitimacy, stability and engagement. Combining historical, institutional and empirical insights, the book reframes democracy’s future and offers a timely guide for expanding citizen power in the 21st century.This book is of key interest to scholars and students of democratic regimes, reform and democratization and, more broadly, comparative politics.

While humanitarians generally present themselves as ‘do-gooders’ and use this image to gather support and funding, this edited volume addresses hierarchies and exclusions in humanitarianism – an issue that has gained increased attention. Contributions analyse how hierarchies, power asymmetries and exclusion emerge, are maintained and can ultimately be challenged in humanitarian governance. Leading scholars on humanitarianism coming from a variety of disciplinary fields such as international relations, philosophy, organisational science and management, and sociology analyse exclusion dynamics at the individual, organisational and structural levels. Authors thereby combine data from a diverse range of methods, including ethnography, survey and statistical analysis. The volume informs current efforts to increase inclusiveness and equity in humanitarian practice.

This open access book examines the diverse strategies implemented by national and local European governments to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. The book will appeal to scholars and students of public policy, crisis-management, public administration, international relations and comparative law.