Blackwell History of the Contemporary World – serie

Using new research and considering a multidisciplinary set of factors, Contemporary China offers a comprehensive exploration of the making of contemporary China.  Provides a unique perspective on China, incorporating newly published materials from within and outside China, in English and Chinese.  Discusses both the societal and economic aspects of China’s development, and how these factors have affected Chinese elite politicsIncludes coverage of recent political scandals such as the dismissal of Bo Xilai and the intrigue surrounding the 18th National Congress elections in late 2012Discusses the reasons for—and ramifications of—the gap that exists between western perceptions of China and China itself

Using new research and considering a multidisciplinary set of factors, Contemporary China offers a comprehensive exploration of the making of contemporary China.  Provides a unique perspective on China, incorporating newly published materials from within and outside China, in English and Chinese.  Discusses both the societal and economic aspects of China’s development, and how these factors have affected Chinese elite politicsIncludes coverage of recent political scandals such as the dismissal of Bo Xilai and the intrigue surrounding the 18th National Congress elections in late 2012Discusses the reasons for—and ramifications of—the gap that exists between western perceptions of China and China itself

The second edition of this comprehensive study of recent Japanese history now includes the author's expert assessment of the effects of the earthquake and tsunami, including the political and environmental consequences of the Fukushima reactor meltdown. Fully updated to include a detailed assessment of the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunamiShows how the nuclear crisis at Fukushima was an accident waiting to happenIncludes detailed discussion of Japan's energy policy, now in flux after the mishandling of the Fukushima crisisAnalyzes Japan's 'Lost Decades', why jobs and families are less stable, environmental policies, immigration, the aging society, the US alliance, the imperial family, and the 'yakuza' criminal gangsAuthoritative coverage of Japanese history over the last two decades, one of the country's most tumultuous periods

Provides a balanced historical narrative of the contemporary causes of conflict in the Middle East, ideal for students and scholars The recent history of the Middle East has involved unprecedented violence and war. Contemporary Middle East: Foreign Intervention and Authoritarian Governance Since 1979 explores the causes of the sustained turbulence of the region by focusing on three separate yet intersecting factors: constant foreign political and military interference, failed authoritarian governance, and the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict. With a clear and accessible style, this student-friendly text presents a concise account of the region’s history, starting from the dramatic events of 1979 including the toppling of the Shah of Iran, the return of Ayatollah Khomeini, the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, the ascendency of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, armed insurrection in Mecca, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Succinct chapters, organized chronologically, guide students through key events and help students develop a cohesive picture of the sequence of historical developments which have shape the contemporary Middle East. This valuable work: Covers a broad range of topics with a focus on the geopolitical and geostrategic aspectExplores the Middle East's connections to broader global shifts such as Cold War rivalry and American unipolarity Examines the underlying causes and geopolitical consequences of the Palestinian-Israeli conflictDescribes the evolution of the wide variety of Islamist opposition movements Provides background for the 2011 popular uprisings against authoritarian and corrupt ruleAssesses how counter revolutionary forces have resorted to political repression, sectarian division, and regional conflictDelivering invaluable insights into the factors underlying the region's ongoing geopolitical disorder, Contemporary Middle East: Foreign Intervention and Authoritarian Governance Since 1979 is an excellent resource for undergraduate courses in history and political science, and a valuable text for general readers looking for a succinct survey of the last four decades of Middle Eastern history.

This history of America’s recent past focuses on the importance of the United States’ interaction with the outside world and includes detailed accounts of the presidencies of Reagan, Clinton and George W. Bush. Provides a substantial account of the dramatic history of America since 1980, covering the Reagan years, the Clinton presidency, the impact of 9/11, the War on Terror, and the election of Barack ObamaBased on both secondary and primary resources, and includes research taken from newspapers, magazines, official documents, and memoirsWritten by a distinguished contemporary historian and a leading historian of the United StatesDiscusses the growing fragmentation of American society and the increasing distance between rich and poor under the impact of public policies and global forces

This history of America’s recent past focuses on the importance of the United States’ interaction with the outside world and includes detailed accounts of the presidencies of Reagan, Clinton and George W. Bush. Provides a substantial account of the dramatic history of America since 1980, covering the Reagan years, the Clinton presidency, the impact of 9/11, the War on Terror, and the election of Barack ObamaBased on both secondary and primary resources, and includes research taken from newspapers, magazines, official documents, and memoirsWritten by a distinguished contemporary historian and a leading historian of the United StatesDiscusses the growing fragmentation of American society and the increasing distance between rich and poor under the impact of public policies and global forces

Contemporary Latin America presents the epochal political, economic, social, and cultural changes in Latin America over the last 40 years and comprehensively examines their impact on life in the region, and beyond. Provides a fresh approach and a new interpretation of the seismic changes of the last 40 years in Latin AmericaIntroduces major themes from a humanistic and universal perspective, putting each subject in a context that readers can understand and relate toFocuses on ‘Ibero-America'--Brazil and the eighteen countries that were formerly Spanish possessions- while offering valuable comparative views of the non-Iberian areas of the CaribbeanEmphasizes the global, regional and national dimensions of the region's recent past

Contemporary Latin America presents the epochal political, economic, social, and cultural changes in Latin America over the last 40 years and comprehensively examines their impact on life in the region, and beyond. Provides a fresh approach and a new interpretation of the seismic changes of the last 40 years in Latin AmericaIntroduces major themes from a humanistic and universal perspective, putting each subject in a context that readers can understand and relate toFocuses on ‘Ibero-America'--Brazil and the eighteen countries that were formerly Spanish possessions- while offering valuable comparative views of the non-Iberian areas of the CaribbeanEmphasizes the global, regional and national dimensions of the region's recent past

The Contemporary Global Economy provides a lively overview of recent turbulence in the world economy, focusing on the dynamics of globalization since the 1980s. It explains the main drivers of economic change and how we are able to discern their effects in the world today. A lucid and balanced survey, based on extensive research in data and documents, accessible to the non-specialistWritten by a renowned specialist in international economic relations with academic and government credentialsOffers clear and engaging explanations of the main motors of economic change and how we are able to discern their effects in the world todayThe author assumes little knowledge of economic theory or financial marketsIdentifies the challenges for sustainable recovery and economic growth in the years ahead

The Contemporary Global Economy provides a lively overview of recent turbulence in the world economy, focusing on the dynamics of globalization since the 1980s. It explains the main drivers of economic change and how we are able to discern their effects in the world today. A lucid and balanced survey, based on extensive research in data and documents, accessible to the non-specialistWritten by a renowned specialist in international economic relations with academic and government credentialsOffers clear and engaging explanations of the main motors of economic change and how we are able to discern their effects in the world todayThe author assumes little knowledge of economic theory or financial marketsIdentifies the challenges for sustainable recovery and economic growth in the years ahead