Paul Rich - Böcker

Far from being an anachronism, much less a kit-bag of techniques, people’s war raises what has always been present in military history, irregular warfare, and fuses it symbiotically with what has likewise always been present politically, rebellion and the effort to seize power. The result is a strategic approach for waging revolutionary warfare, the effort “to make a revolution.” Voluntarism is wedded to the exploitation of structural contradiction through the building of a new world to challenge the existing world, through formation of a counterstate within the state in order ultimately to destroy and supplant the latter. This is a process of far greater moment than implied by the label “guerrilla warfare” so often applied to what Mao and others were about. This volume deals with the continuing importance of Maoist and post-Maoist concepts of people’s war. Drawing on a range of examples that include Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, the Caucasus, and Afghanistan, the collection shows that the study of people’s war is not just an historical curiosity but vital to the understanding of contemporary insurgent and terrorist movements.The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Small Wars & Insurgencies.

At the end of the Cold War, a renewed interest in civil society emerged. Today, civil society, trust, democratization, social capital, and volunteerism are a primary focus among the social sciences. The end of the Cold War meant such issues in the social sciences, neglected during many years of military confrontation, came back into prominence. Voluntary groups are being given large roles, and the state is being challenged by them.

The search is on for ways to encourage democracy. Free trade and globalization are part of the equation, but much attention is being focused on the role of NGOs (non-governmental organizations). The claim is that without a healthy voluntary sector, the long-term survival of a democratic society is doubtful.

Civil Society and Democratization, a special issue of THE ANNALS, features articles written by both domestic and international scholars on this ever growing area of discussion. Articles in this issue cover these important topics:

· Debates on civil society both in the United States and abroad · Civil society and political elections · Religion and civic engagement · Civil society and volunteerism

This special issue is a comprehensive discussion of how political confidence is built and eroded in a world that unimaginable only ten years ago. It is an indispensable guide to the problems of sustaining the gains made by democracy since the collapse of the Soviet Union and will be of great interest to academics and professionals concerned with processes of social change.

At the end of the Cold War, a renewed interest in civil society emerged. Today, civil society, trust, democratization, social capital, and volunteerism are a primary focus among the social sciences. The end of the Cold War meant such issues in the social sciences, neglected during many years of military confrontation, came back into prominence. Voluntary groups are being given large roles, and the state is being challenged by them.

The search is on for ways to encourage democracy. Free trade and globalization are part of the equation, but much attention is being focused on the role of NGOs (non-governmental organizations). The claim is that without a healthy voluntary sector, the long-term survival of a democratic society is doubtful.

Civil Society and Democratization, a special issue of THE ANNALS, features articles written by both domestic and international scholars on this ever growing area of discussion. Articles in this issue cover these important topics:

· Debates on civil society both in the United States and abroad · Civil society and political elections · Religion and civic engagement · Civil society and volunteerism

This special issue is a comprehensive discussion of how political confidence is built and eroded in a world that unimaginable only ten years ago. It is an indispensable guide to the problems of sustaining the gains made by democracy since the collapse of the Soviet Union and will be of great interest to academics and professionals concerned with processes of social change.

Higher education plays a significant role in shaping our cultural identity. Yet, in this ever-changing world, it's important to consider what adjustments American universities are making-or need to make-to meet the dynamic societal requirements.

Change is often challenging for large institutions, and academia is no different. The contributors to this issue of The Annals take a hard look at current changes in higher education and propose further modification for the American university in the coming decades.

The issue opens with a blueprint for change that looks at the impact of current social concerns and ways that universities can respond to those concerns. The remaining articles include topics on land-grant universities, urban universities, the corporatization of the university, the focus on institution management, equal opportunity for higher education, the influence of fraternities and sororities, trends in postsecondary science, distance learning, the social context of applied science, tertiary education in Europe, reengineering of education, and a review of literature of higher education.

It's fitting that this issue of The Annals, which examines the transformations of higher education, includes some changes of its own. Beginning with this first issue of 2003, The Annals has launched a new layout and design. Readers will find the journal easier to use; and the design changes also signify undergoing transformations within the academy itself. The academy has renewed and reinvigorated its commitment-as its 1891 charter proclaims-to "promote the progress of the political and social sciences."

Victor Hugo has been attributed with the quotation, "Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots." This issue is devoted to change in the American university; and the improvements to the design and layout of The Annals reflect the academy's dedication to its core philosophy.

Higher education plays a significant role in shaping our cultural identity. Yet, in this ever-changing world, it's important to consider what adjustments American universities are making-or need to make-to meet the dynamic societal requirements.

Change is often challenging for large institutions, and academia is no different. The contributors to this issue of The Annals take a hard look at current changes in higher education and propose further modification for the American university in the coming decades.

The issue opens with a blueprint for change that looks at the impact of current social concerns and ways that universities can respond to those concerns. The remaining articles include topics on land-grant universities, urban universities, the corporatization of the university, the focus on institution management, equal opportunity for higher education, the influence of fraternities and sororities, trends in postsecondary science, distance learning, the social context of applied science, tertiary education in Europe, reengineering of education, and a review of literature of higher education.

It's fitting that this issue of The Annals, which examines the transformations of higher education, includes some changes of its own. Beginning with this first issue of 2003, The Annals has launched a new layout and design. Readers will find the journal easier to use; and the design changes also signify undergoing transformations within the academy itself. The academy has renewed and reinvigorated its commitment-as its 1891 charter proclaims-to "promote the progress of the political and social sciences."

Victor Hugo has been attributed with the quotation, "Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots." This issue is devoted to change in the American university; and the improvements to the design and layout of The Annals reflect the academy's dedication to its core philosophy.

Far from being an anachronism, much less a kit-bag of techniques, people’s war raises what has always been present in military history, irregular warfare, and fuses it symbiotically with what has likewise always been present politically, rebellion and the effort to seize power. The result is a strategic approach for waging revolutionary warfare, the effort “to make a revolution.” Voluntarism is wedded to the exploitation of structural contradiction through the building of a new world to challenge the existing world, through formation of a counterstate within the state in order ultimately to destroy and supplant the latter. This is a process of far greater moment than implied by the label “guerrilla warfare” so often applied to what Mao and others were about. This volume deals with the continuing importance of Maoist and post-Maoist concepts of people’s war. Drawing on a range of examples that include Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, the Caucasus, and Afghanistan, the collection shows that the study of people’s war is not just an historical curiosity but vital to the understanding of contemporary insurgent and terrorist movements.The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Small Wars & Insurgencies.