Patrick Regan - Böcker

The idea of studying peace - over studying war, genocide and political violence (hereafter violent conflict) and then inferring about peace - has gained considerable traction in the past few years after languishing in the shadows of conflict for decades but how should it be studied? The Peace Continuum offers a parallax view of how we think about peace and the complexities that surround the concept (i.e., the book explores the topic from different positions at the same time). Toward this end, we review existing literature and provide insights into how peace should be conceptualized - particularly as something more interesting than the absence of conflict. We provide an approach that can help scholars overcome what we see as the initial shock that comes with unpacking the 'zero' in the war-peace model of conflict studies. Additionally, we provide a framework for understanding how peace and conflict have/have not been related to one another in the literature. To reveal how the Peace Continuum could be applied, we put forward three alternative ways that peace could be studied. With this approach, the book is less trying to control the emerging peace research agenda than it is trying to assist in/encourage thinking about the topic that we all have some opinion on but that has yet to be measured and analyzed in a way comparable to political conflict and violence. Indeed, we attempt to help facilitate a veritable explosion of approaches and efforts to study peace.

The idea of studying peace - over studying war, genocide and political violence (hereafter violent conflict) and then inferring about peace - has gained considerable traction in the past few years after languishing in the shadows of conflict for decades but how should it be studied? The Peace Continuum offers a parallax view of how we think about peace and the complexities that surround the concept (i.e., the book explores the topic from different positions at the same time). Toward this end, we review existing literature and provide insights into how peace should be conceptualized - particularly as something more interesting than the absence of conflict. We provide an approach that can help scholars overcome what we see as the initial shock that comes with unpacking the 'zero' in the war-peace model of conflict studies. Additionally, we provide a framework for understanding how peace and conflict have/have not been related to one another in the literature. To reveal how the Peace Continuum could be applied, we put forward three alternative ways that peace could be studied. With this approach, the book is less trying to control the emerging peace research agenda than it is trying to assist in/encourage thinking about the topic that we all have some opinion on but that has yet to be measured and analyzed in a way comparable to political conflict and violence. Indeed, we attempt to help facilitate a veritable explosion of approaches and efforts to study peace.

Regan argues that the militarization of a society is a complex political and sociological phenomenon, that can generate a life of its own and that feeds upon itself. Regan combines a statistical and a historical approach with an empirical analysis to serve as the basis for the development of a theory of the power of political symbolism. He examines the extent to which a violent foreign policy and societal militarization are part of a self-amplifying feedback cycle. At a time when permanent and substantial demilitarization are possible, his study reveals the factors that serve to sustain high levels of military mobilization and suggests the keys for defusing them.

AWARD: CRT Christian Life Book of the Year 2024!You probably don't need to be told that the demands of modern living are taking their toll on our wellbeing. You likely feel it.And yet, some of us feel as though we’re the only ones who are weary, overwhelmed or anxious so we don’t talk about it and try and pretend that it’s not happening.The truth is that we’re far from alone; we all have days where life feels too much, and we’ve all had times when we’re desperate to know that brighter days are ahead.Packed-full of practical tips alongside stories of struggle and strength, Brighter Days is for all of us who want tools to invest in our emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health so we can look forward to a healthier and more hopeful future.

'The Bible is way more honest than most churches about the actual levels of pain and confusion in life. That's why we need this book. It's going to provoke ten thousand honest conversations, helping to bring healing, hope and understanding to many who currently suffer in silence.' PETE GREIG, FOUNDER OF 24-7 PRAYER IT'S OK NOT TO BE OKHonesty Over Silence seeks to open up conversations around topics that many find difficult, such as trusting God when life is painful, dealing with anxiety and depression, learning to look after ourselves, developing our character, and living with thankful hearts even in tough seasons.It examines our strength in letting go of our need to be in control, as well as looking at how we can stop comparing ourselves to others, and instead live authentically and honestly as we grow into the people God has created us to be.'The power of this book is in its piercing honesty and vulnerability. It gives a voice to those issues that we as Christians sometimes want silenced: what happens when darkness falls? Where is God in mental illness? Can I ever be enough? Through Patrick's stories of his own life and those of others, he powerfully reminds us that a life of faith is smattered with, but not shattered by, dark places. This is an amazing book which will bless, encourage and comfort many.' -Tim and Rachel Hughes, Lead Pastors at Gas Street Church, Birmingham

'Nobody is immune from the storms of life. Patrick's book is a lifeboat while the waves are crashing but it is much more than that: Bouncing Forwards is a guide that helps us to navigate through tricky waters so that we become better equipped for the journey of life. It's an honest, wise and practical handbook for growing in resilience. I can't recommend it highly enough.' CATHY MADAVAN, AUTHOR OF IRREPRESSIBLEBouncing Forwards offers hope to those who're facing battles such as mental or physical health challenges, bereavement, the loss of cherished dreams or recovery from trauma.Patrick Regan reveals his vulnerability as he shares that making peace with his own ongoing anxiety only came after a period of intense physical, emotional and spiritual pain.There is always the temptation to wait for the day when all will be well. Yet becoming preoccupied with the future may well mean missing out on what's happening in our lives in the here and now. Is it possible to be OK even when life isn't? Can we thrive, not just once we've come through adversity, but right there in the midst of it?Exploring resilience, acceptance and emotional agility, Patrick encourages us to believe we can find meaning in some of life's toughest moments - and the faith to journey on.

Servants of Christ are in the transformation business.This kind of transformation will only happen if we refuse to be seduced by false idols like success, money, fame and security to become the church we were called to be. We need to take ownership of the problems around us and work with people who are suffering in order to find solutions and offer lasting change.In No Ceiling to Hope, Patrick travels the globe to find examples of this change: In Bolivia, he reports how Christian backing for education projects is allowing families to find a way out of poverty. In London, XLP is mentoring young people to turn aside from violence. In Los Angeles, a new future is being offered to gang girls. In high security prisons in the UK and US, the Spirit is turning lives around. In Belfast's Shankill Road area, a group of elderly ladies is cooking meals for men who sit all day in local pubs . . . The list is extensive, and inspiring. The common element is that, in all circumstances, Christ is offering hope.Be inspired afresh that, when it comes to what Jesus can do, there really is no ceiling to hope.

'A moving story of courage and faith in the fire'. BEAR GRYLLSWhat do you do when life falls apart and it feels as if God has left you? How do you keep going when your faith is rocked to the core?Sometimes things get so hard we're not sure where God is - or what he's up to. Patrick was facing pain, illness and loss in his family and community; then a series of excruciating operations took him to the brink - physically, emotionally and spiritually.Writing during his journey of recovery, Patrick reflects on the true nature of courage as he explores:- how we find God in times of suffering- how we can know God's peace when life is anything but peaceful - how we allow ourselves the grace to rest when we're running on empty - how we can stay fully present in the moment.In doing so, he heartens and encourages us to grasp the love of God at an ever-deeper level.

We have seen recent massive intervention by the United States and its allies in Europe in internal conflict in Bosnia and Kosovo. In Civil Wars and Foreign Powers: Outside Intervention in Intrastate Conflict, Patrick Regan systematically answers the question about the conditions under which third parties intervene in civil conflicts to stop the fighting. It uses data on all civil conflicts since 1945 to identify those conflicts that are amenable to outside interventions and the types of interventions that are more likely to be successful. Civil Wars and Foreign Powers is a book about how governments can help facilitate the end of civil conflicts. In a time when internal conflicts appear to be increasing in number, and increasingly destabilizing, governments need to know what policies work and when. Interventions are generally of two sorts -- unilateral, or when one state takes action, and multilateral, such as UN or NATO action. This book examines the conditions under which each form of intervention is most likely and most effective. The analysis suggests that three conditions associated with multi-lateral interventions will increase the likelihood of success: mutual consent of the parties involved; impartiality on the part of the intervenors; and the existence of a coherent intervention strategy. The questions are posed from the perspective of the decision maker and the answers offered are framed in a language familiar to the decision-making community. The book mixes descriptive case material with systematic statistical analysis of a unique data set of all civil conflicts since World War II, providing contemporary examples to illustrate overall trends in the data. Beyond the policy implications this work is also rich in theoretical development about issues of conflict and conflict management. This book will appeal to students of international conflict, civil war, ethnic conflict, and those who are concerned with developing policy in the post-cold war world to deal with intrastate conflict.

IT'S OK NOT TO BE OKHonesty Over Silence seeks to open up conversations around topics that many find difficult, such as trusting God when life is painful, dealing with anxiety and depression, learning to look after ourselves, developing our character, and living with thankful hearts even in tough seasons.

What do you do when life falls apart, and it feels as if God has left you? How do you keep going when your faith is rocked to the core? Sometimes things get so hard we're not sure where God is - or what he's up to. For Patrick there was pain, illness, and loss in his family and community. Then a series of excruciating operations took him to the brink physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Writing during his journey of recovery, Patrick explores how we find God in times of suffering. He wrestles with how we can know God's peace when life is anything but peaceful, what the true nature of courage is, how we allow ourselves the grace to rest when we're running on empty, and how we can stay fully present in the moment - all so we can ultimately grasp the love of God at a deeper level.

Discover practical steps to a more sustainable life, from award-winning author, speaker and activist Patrick ReganIn Small Steps for Big Change, award-winning author, speaker, activist and charity founder Patrick Regan OBE invites you to take a breath and begin again – not with grand gestures or quick fixes, but with small, practical and intentional steps that lead to lasting transformation. Drawing on his own experience of burnout and recovery, Patrick shares three simple but powerful principles that have shaped his life: Start Small, Create Space, Think Differently.Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, searching for balance or longing to live with more purpose, Small Steps for Big Change offers a compassionate roadmap towards a more sustainable way of being – one that helps you not just to survive, but to truly flourish.