Lawrence C. Reardon – författare

Chinese foreign economic policy before 1978 has been considered isolationist and centered on Maoist self-reliance. In this revisionist analysis, the author argues that the dramatic economic reforms initiated by China’s leaders in 1978 were in fact revisions and expansions of policies from the Maoist period.

Presenting case studies from sixteen countries on five continents, "The Catholic Church and the Nation-State" paints a rich portrait of a complex and paradoxical institution whose political role has varied historically and geographically. In this integrated and synthetic collection of essays, outstanding scholars from the United States and abroad examine religious, diplomatic, and political actions - both admirable and regrettable - that shape our world. Kenneth R. Himes sets the context of the book by brilliantly describing the political influence of the church in the post-Vatican II era.There are many recent instances, the contributors assert, where the Church has acted as both a moral authority and a self-interested institution: in the United States it maintained unpopular moral positions on issues such as contraception and sexuality, yet at the same time it sought to cover up its own abuses; it was complicit in genocide in Rwanda but played an important role in ending the horrific civil war in Angola; and, it has alternately embraced and suppressed nationalism by acting as the voice of resistance against communism in Poland, whereas in Chile it once supported opposition to Pinochet but now aligns with rightist parties. With an in-depth exploration of the five primary challenges facing the Church - theology and politics, secularization, the transition from serving as a nationalist voice of opposition, questions of justice, and accommodation to sometimes hostile civil authorities - this book will be of interest to scholars and students in religion and politics as well as Catholic Church clergy and laity.By demonstrating how national churches vary considerably in the emphasis of their teachings and in the scope and nature of their political involvement, the analyses presented in this volume engender a deeper understanding of the role of the Roman Catholic Church in the world.

At the core of U.S. strategy is the concept of “integrated deterrence,” a framework for working across warfighting domains, theatres of operation, and the entire conflict continuum. While the Department of Defense plays an integral role in integrated deterrence, they are not the only ones. For US-China policy to be more effective, a comprehensive approach, involving all of government, is needed. This demands a better understanding of the People’s Republic of China, the chief competitor of the United States. From strategic policymakers down to the average citizen who chooses not to click a link in an email, a greater understanding of China will help everyone make informed decisions. By considering China’s history and experiences sui generis, citizens, policymakers, and military planners can interpret Chinese actions within their own specific context, and therefore more accurately frame their actions, policies, and responses. Confronting the China Threat: Leveraging Insights for Informed Integrated Deterrence addresses the physical, cultural, cognitive, legal, and digital environments that inform China’s worldview and actions on the global stage. This will ultimately better inform readers on how China views itself, outsiders, and competition, and enable them to tailor specific responses in and through cyberspace and information operations.