Other books that might interest you

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  Jesus Takes a Side - Embracing...

  Jonny Rashid

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  Jesus sides with the oppressed. Will you?In a world divided by left and right, red and blue, many Christians have upheld a “third way” approach in pursuit of moderation, harmony, and unity. But if Christians are more concerned with divisiveness than with faithfulness, we have failed to grasp the gospel’s political demands. We do not see Jesus taking a “third way” between oppressor and oppressed. And as followers of Jesus, neither should we.For the sake of our faith, for the sake of the least of these among us, and for Christ’s sake, Christians need to stand firmly for truth, peace, and justice. In Jesus Takes a Side, author Jonny Rashid lays out the political demands of following Jesus and offers strategies for how to engage politics practically and prophetically—even if it means taking a side. 

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  Reagan-Mondale Debate 1

  Ronald Reagan, Walter Mondale

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  The first of two debates between President Ronald Reagan and former Vice President Walter F. Mondale was held in Louisville, Kentucky on October 7, 1984. Barbara Walters was the debate moderator. James Weigart, Diane Sawyer, and Fred Barnes were the three panelists who asked questions. 
  This first debate was on the economy and domestic issues. Questions focused on the following topics: the nation’s economy, leadership qualities, religion, political issues, abortion, federal taxation, social welfare programs, the presidential campaign, and closing statements. Reagan won a landslide victory in 1984 winning every state except Minnesota and the District of Columbia. 
  Note: 43 seconds of the audio (part of Barbara Walter’s introduction) was garbled. The section from 57 seconds to 1 minute 40 seconds was omitted. This omitted section can be seen and heard in the text and video versions at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Search online for “Ronald Reagan major speeches” to see both a text version and a video version of this debate.  
  Audio recording courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. 
  aspenleafmedia.com

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  Oceans Rise Empires Fall - Why...

  Gerard Toal

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  In the last few years, it has become abundantly clear that the effects of accelerating climate change will be catastrophic, from rising seas to more violent storms to desertification. Yet why do nation-states find it so difficult to implement transnational policies that can reduce carbon output and slow global warming? In Oceans Rise, Empires Fall, Gerard Toal identifies geopolitics as the culprit. States would prefer to reduce emissions in the abstract, but in the great global competition for geopolitical power, states always prioritize access to carbon-based fuels necessary for generating the sort of economic growth that helps them compete with rival states. 
   
    
   
  The Ukraine conflict in particular exposes our priorities. To escape reliance on Russia's vast oil and gas reserves, states have expanded fossil fuel production that necessarily increases the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Competitive territorial, resource, and technological dramas across the geopolitical chessboard currently obscure the deterioration of the planet's life support systems. In the contest between geopolitics and sustainable climate policies, the former takes precedence—especially when competition shifts to outright conflict. In this book, Toal interrogates that relationship and its stakes for the ongoing acceleration of climate change.

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  Freedom of Speech - Navigating...

  Marcus Klein

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  Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of democratic societies, integral to the exercise of individual autonomy and the pursuit of truth. At its core, it is the right to express ideas, opinions, and beliefs without fear of government reprisal or censorship. This principle is enshrined in numerous legal documents, most notably the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees "the freedom of speech, or of the press," protecting the individual’s right to speak openly in the public sphere. 
    
  The origins of free speech can be traced back to philosophical and political thinkers of the Enlightenment era, who emphasized the importance of reason, individual rights, and personal liberty. Thinkers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and John Stuart Mill argued that the free exchange of ideas was essential for the flourishing of society, allowing for the progress of knowledge, the correction of errors, and the protection of political freedom. These ideas laid the groundwork for the modern understanding of free expression as a fundamental human right. 
    
  However, the right to free speech is not absolute. Throughout history, the boundaries of this freedom have been tested by a wide range of societal, political, and ethical concerns. From the regulation of speech in times of war or national security threats to the ongoing debates over hate speech, defamation, and misinformation, societies have struggled to find a balance between protecting free expression and safeguarding the common good. This tension continues to shape the debate surrounding free speech, particularly in the context of emerging technologies like social media, which have transformed the landscape of communication.

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  Movement Parties of the Far...

  Pietro Castelli Gattinara,...

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  In an era of traditional political party decline, this book explores a new phase of nativist mobilization, in which street politics plays an increasingly important role. Movement parties offer an exceptional object of study since they challenge the conventional distinction between institutional and non-institutional politics. Examining the "production structure" of ten movement parties across nine European countries, the authors identify key factors that affect their engagement in protest activity. They address the organizational capacity, decision-making processes, and external mobilization of these collective actors using unique empirical material, including quantitative data on far-right protest mobilization spanning over a decade, protest network visualizations, and qualitative interviews with high-ranking officials. 
   
   
   
  The book provides fresh insights into how the far right spreads its influence and relates to non-institutional politics, making it essential for anyone concerned about the way in which nativist collective actors transform society from the ground up. A compelling study looking at the relationship between electoral politics and grassroots activism, Movement Parties of the Far Right illuminates the complex organizational and strategic choices underlying far-right mobilization.

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  Has Populism Won? - The War on...

  Daniel Drache, Marc D. Froese

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  Has populism won? Two experts show us how and why this disturbing global political trend has taken root and what it will take to turn the tide
  		 
  From Trump’s America to Putin’s Russia, and from Poland to the Philippines, rapid change and rising inequality have fueled a retreat into tribalist nationalism fed by a fear of being left behind. Populist leaders tap into this fear, with empty promises of looking out for the little guy and promising a return to national greatness. This is happening in countries across the globe and the political spectrum, arising in the right and the left alike. So why are we so susceptible to this pernicious political style at this moment? How did we get here? Will we get back to more even-handed governments? And more importantly, how has the global insurgency captured high offices across the globe, winning election after election? And more importantly, if Putin is defeated in his unprovoked war on Ukraine, will vociferous publics turn against the insurgency? Liberal democracy is at a turning point, as system smashers aren’t about to go quietly into the night, and there are few viable alternatives in the wings.
  		 
  Political scientists Drache and Froese have turned original research into a compelling analysis of the rise of populism and reveal what it will take to douse the flames. This is an essential read for anyone concerned about the encroachments on freedom and the rule of law around the world.

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