In the past ten years, the spread of the Internet and other advanced technologies has had a dramatic effect on the way people access and perceive information. One of the most revolutionary technological novelties that characterises the modern 'digital revolution' has been the explosion of weblogs. Blogs have impacted numerous facets of international politics including elections, media reporting from zones of conflict, and corporate and congressional policies. They also have potentially significant implications for policy making of the future and for national and global security. This has led to the claim that blogs deserve the title of the 'fifth estate', following an analogy with the other four estates that influence modern policy shaping: executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the state and the media. This book methodically analyses the various facets of the modern blogosphere that led the author to support this claim and offers a number of recommendations to further the empowerment of blogs in the global policy arena.

In this era of globalisation, a multitude of threats impact the security of populations everywhere. These threats now increasingly transgress the traditional boundaries of states and are often non-military in nature, requiring more comprehensive and multifaceted approaches and policy responses. While every threat is unique in terms of its root causes and remedies, philosophical and conceptual methods exist that offer valuable tools for analysis and potential policy recommendations for states facing such threats. This book presents in a novel way eight such approaches that -- when applied against any transnational threat -- may help to enhance the effectiveness of states in their pursuit of long-term and durable security.

Sustainable global security can only be achieved when education is made a priority by states and their institutions. When properly realised, education can be a global asset to fight poverty, inequality, insecurity, and disease. This book offers an innovative new philosophy in which cultural, religious, and ideological diversity in education throughout the world is encouraged and respected. The author advocates that whenever "the other" is discussed, maximum sensitivity, respect, and tolerance must be exercised by all to prevent any possible exclusion or alienation. The author also argues that there are all kinds of moral truths that see the world from different perspectives and none of them have to necessarily be more right than the other. This book provides an alternative approach to education and outlines the ingredients that any educational system must include in order to ensure a well-educated, tolerant, and peaceful world.

In the 21st century, biosecurity has become a central part of any global policy-making agenda. With the rapid advancement of the life sciences, nanotechnology and biotechnology comes certain challenges for the scientific community and policy makers. With the potential threat of biological weapons proliferation and bioterrorism, there is a critical need for constructing a solid global governance system that is capable of addressing the complexity and multiplicity of the topics related to various aspects of biosecurity. This book outlines a new biosecurity governance model that is integrative, network-based, flexible, open, cross-cultural, transparent, and multi-disciplinary. The model emphasises the need to engage a wide variety of actors ranging from governments and non-profit organisations to private industry, science, and academia. This publication adds an up-to-date perspective and comprehensive guide to any personal or institutional library.

In the past ten years, the spread of the Internet and other advanced technologies has had a dramatic effect on the way people access and perceive information. One of the most revolutionary technological novelties that characterises the modern 'digital revolution' has been the explosion of weblogs. Blogs have impacted numerous facets of international politics including elections, media reporting from zones of conflict, and corporate and congressional policies. They also have potentially significant implications for policy making of the future and for national and global security. This has led to the claim that blogs deserve the title of the 'fifth estate', following an analogy with the other four estates that influence modern policy shaping: executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the state and the media. This book methodically analyses the various facets of the modern blogosphere that led the author to support this claim and offers a number of recommendations to further the empowerment of blogs in the global policy arena.

In this era of globalisation, a multitude of threats impact the security of populations everywhere. These threats now increasingly transgress the traditional boundaries of states and are often non-military in nature, requiring more comprehensive and multifaceted approaches and policy responses. While every threat is unique in terms of its root causes and remedies, philosophical and conceptual methods exist that offer valuable tools for analysis and potential policy recommendations for states facing such threats. This book presents in a novel way eight such approaches that -- when applied against any transnational threat -- may help to enhance the effectiveness of states in their pursuit of long-term and durable security.

Sustainable global security can only be achieved when education is made a priority by states and their institutions. When properly realised, education can be a global asset to fight poverty, inequality, insecurity, and disease. This book offers an innovative new philosophy in which cultural, religious, and ideological diversity in education throughout the world is encouraged and respected. The author advocates that whenever "the other" is discussed, maximum sensitivity, respect, and tolerance must be exercised by all to prevent any possible exclusion or alienation. The author also argues that there are all kinds of moral truths that see the world from different perspectives and none of them have to necessarily be more right than the other. This book provides an alternative approach to education and outlines the ingredients that any educational system must include in order to ensure a well-educated, tolerant, and peaceful world.

In the 21st century, biosecurity has become a central part of any global policy-making agenda. With the rapid advancement of the life sciences, nanotechnology and biotechnology comes certain challenges for the scientific community and policy makers. With the potential threat of biological weapons proliferation and bioterrorism, there is a critical need for constructing a solid global governance system that is capable of addressing the complexity and multiplicity of the topics related to various aspects of biosecurity. This book outlines a new biosecurity governance model that is integrative, network-based, flexible, open, cross-cultural, transparent, and multi-disciplinary. The model emphasises the need to engage a wide variety of actors ranging from governments and non-profit organisations to private industry, science, and academia. This publication adds an up-to-date perspective and comprehensive guide to any personal or institutional library.