This book studies the approach Thomas Ritchie's Richmond Enquirer took on the Haitian Revolution. It focuses on the paper's coverage of two major events that most historians have overlooked: Haitian ruler Jean-Jacques Dessalines' massacres of French colonists in 1804 and President Jean-Pierre Boyer's invasion and annexation of Santo Domingo (the present-day Dominican Republic) in 1822 and its aftermath. Using archival evidence, the book shows that the Enquirer was objective and even relatively friendly to the Haitian Revolution. Even in reporting such seemingly egregious acts as the massacre of the white population in 1804 and the invasion and annexation of a militarily weak neighbour eighteen years later, it avoided the use of implicitly or explicitly racist pejoratives toward the Haitian revolutionaries. The book contributes new perspectives on the Haitian Revolution's final stages, particularly on these two important events in its evolution, as well as the Southern US press's observations and reactions toward them. After briefly analysing other scholars' treatments of US newspaper reports on the Haitian Revolution, which invariably ignored the Richmond Enquirer, the essay discerns that Northern newspapers paradoxically expressed greater fear of the Haitian Revolution's impact on slave revolts and social stability than the Southern press did.

This book examines the cultural encounter and conflict that arose during the French occupation of Egypt (1798-1801) by analyzing mutual perceptions of the French and Egyptians. It investigates how the image of Egypt, originally shaped by the writings of late eighteenth-century French travelers, was transformed in the minds of those who participated in the French campaign, and how it was used in Napoleonic propaganda. The book demonstrates that French impressions of Egypt contributed to broader generalizations about the imagined Orient and analyzes how these attitudes were linked to French colonial policy. It includes the Arab perspective on the occupation, challenging the one-sided narratives found in French sources. Evgeniya Prusskaya argues that French perceptions of 'Oriental' society directly influenced French policies in Egypt, reinforcing a framework of violence and fostering the development of a colonial mindset, which later evolved into the dominant narratives of nineteenth-century imperialism. The book also examines the legacy of the Egyptian campaign during the French occupation of Algeria in the early 1830s.

This book delves into the vibrant and dynamic cultural landscape of Latin America, exploring the creative frictions that arise from the coexistence among, and tensions between, diverse cultures. Inviting readers to think through critical questions about cultural and textual adaptation, this book examines how stories, texts, genres, and cultural practices develop into configurations that are both distinct and intimately connected to their progenitors. The metaphor of the "edge effect," borrowed from ecology, serves as a lens to understand these productive tensions. This book addresses a wide range of topics, including cultural change in the Americas, intertextual relationships, and adaptive histories. Ideal for scholars in Latin American studies, film studies, and adaptation studies, this book offers a novel analytical framework that enriches current academic practices and theories of hybridity, contact zones, and rhizomatic connections. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the complex interrelations between Latin American cultures and their textual and artistic expressions.

This book offers an invaluable introduction to Integrative Transdisciplinarity (ITD). Integrative Transdisciplinarity (ITD) prepares scholars to contextualize, interpret, integrate, and develop new perspectives and approaches. It is grounded in complex thought, frames inquiry as a creative process and embraces the full humanity of the researcher. Its goal is to provide a conceptual context for conducting meaningful research with the greatest amount of freedom and creativity, while doing justice to the complexity of both researcher and research topic. ITD presents 5 interrelated dimensions that serve as a conceptual context and precondition for transdisciplinary inquiry: Inquiry-based, Complex Thought, Creativity, Meta-paradigmatic, and Integration of the Inquirer.

Fosters deep inter-faith understanding through shared scriptural study and mutual religious hospitality

Scriptural Reasoning: Abrahamic Inter-faith Practice provides an accessible and practical introduction to a unique form of inter-faith engagement centered on shared sacred text study. Rather than minimizing deep commitments to one's own faith, this approach encourages participants to enter more fully into their own traditions while offering and receiving hospitality across religious boundaries. Focusing on the Abrahamic faiths-Judaism, Christianity, and Islam-this book equips students and lay practitioners to participate meaningfully in Scriptural Reasoning (SR) groups, where members of different faiths read and reason together from their respective Scriptures.

The authors-scholars and practitioners from the three traditions-guide readers through the origins, aims, and methods of SR while offering theological context, practical guidance, and real-world examples. Chapters explore common questions about the nature of Scripture, revelation, interpretation, and the challenges and promises of inter-religious study. Designed for classroom use, religious institutions, or community initiatives, this concise and clear resource helps participants "hit the ground running." By grounding the practice in deep respect, conviction, and curiosity, the authors position Scriptural Reasoning as a tool not only for dialogue, but for healing and reconciliation across difference.

Encouraging cross-faith understanding in a world marked by religious plurality and social fragmentation, Scriptural Reasoning:

• Provides the foundation for understanding, practicing, and reflecting on Abrahamic Scriptural Reasoning
• Contains tools and texts for launching SR in classroom, religious, and civic settings
• Includes foundational background on the Scriptures and interpretive traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
• Addresses common questions and misconceptions about inter-faith engagement and religious pluralism
• Features real-world examples of SR used in diverse contexts, from prisons to hospitals to inter-faith dialogue programs

Combining theological reflection with practical instruction for first-time SR facilitators and participants, Scriptural Reasoning: Abrahamic Inter-faith Practice is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students in theology, religious studies, and interfaith engagement programs. It can be used in courses such as Interfaith Dialogue, Comparative Religion, and Abrahamic Traditions, and is appropriate for degrees in divinity, religious studies, and civic leadership.

As the first monograph to specifically focus on the positive evaluation of belief (doxa) as a crucial concept in Plato's epistemology, this work contributes significantly to scholarly research by offering a fresh perspective that deepens our understanding of Plato's theory of knowledge. It shows that doxa is indispensable to the acquisition of knowledge in the human life, thus disproving the long-held notion that Plato was a mere idealist in this respect.
The author examines the nuanced, multifaceted role of belief in a well-chosen selection of Platonic dialogues (Meno, Republic, Theaetetus, Philebus, and Timaeus), challenging traditional as well as modern interpretations by letting belief step out of the shadow of knowledge. By offering detailed analyses of relevant arguments, engaging with previous research and providing an innovative interpretation, it is shown that doxa is not only a central but a highly versatile concept in Plato.
This study appeals especially to scholars of ancient philosophy and epistemology as well as to all students of philosophy interested in Plato and epistemology.

This book explores the intricate relationship between humans and animals in the context of modern Turkish history. From drafted animals in war, to urban stray dogs and the role of cattle in the Kurdish conflict, the cases developed in this book show how animal lives are deeply entangled with human affairs, including complex social organisations such as families, states and nations. In doing so, the book exposes power dynamics, exploitative practices, and the discursive regimes that underpin development, nationalism, and urban growth.

This important book offers a timely exploration of human-animal relations, critically revising a number of concepts such as human rights, productivity, health and efficiency from a multispecies perspective.

Ancient African Futures provides a creative and critical account of the history and form(s) of systemic constellations practice (SCP) applying a decolonial lens, emphasizing the profound significance of Zulu epistemology on its origins.

The volume opens with an autoethnographic account of the author's African diasporan / European identity and its bearing within the SCP profession. It offers a summary introduction to SCP as a discrete modality of Western psychotherapy, commonly accepted as the creation of Anton Hellinger, a German national. Hellinger was a Jesuit missionary priest in South Africa during the 1950-1960s. The author argues that this colonial phenomenon and Hellinger himself, are emblematic of the European Imperial project. The volume scrutinises this historic-contemporary dynamic in relation to more-than-Western indigenous epistemologies, advocating for a pluriversal reckoning, considering European colonial histories and indigenous forms of cultural resistance.

Having interrogated the asymmetric dynamic exchange between Africana and Western cultures, the volume then explores a 'speculative manifesto'. This manifesto proposes numerous concrete actions regarding future curriculum design and faculty representation within professional SCP trainings, championing a recalibration, decentring whiteness, making SCP a profession more open to and representative of diverse global communities. Honouring their historic, cultural, colonial, postcolonial and political experiences, alongside their contemporary narratives of migration, settlement and resistance to Western neocolonialism. Ultimately, advocating for an empathetic and celebratory, Black / Global Majority Heritage-inclusive SCP practice model.

Winner of the 2026 Nautilus Gold Award in World Cultures' Transformational Growth & Development and the Nautilus Special Honors Award:Transformative Systems Vision. Winner of an International Impact Book Award, April 2026.

This groundbreaking open access volume introduces eco-social contracts as a bold and actionable vision for addressing the major, interconnected crises of our time-climate change, biodiversity loss, rising inequality, and the erosion of public trust and democratic legitimacy.

At its heart lies a fundamental realization that can no longer be ignored: the social contract has been broken for billions of people. As a result, the bonds between people, planet, and power must be rewoven.

Increasingly recognized by the UN, global assessments such as the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment, and by a growing international community of civil society leaders, youth movements, and NGOs, eco-social contracts call for renewed solidarity, systemic equity across generations and communities, inclusive governance, and a fundamental transformation of economic systems.

They challenge dominant economic paradigms and present a holistic and compelling alternative-one that rebalances our relationships with nature, institutions, and one another. This book captures that momentum, blending visionary thinking and grounded inspiration with hard-won lessons on unlocking and mobilising collective agency.

Rooted in diverse knowledge systems-from Indigenous cosmologies and feminist and care-based economics to regenerative development and post-growth thought-it brings together contributions from leading scholars, practitioners, artists, and activists across the globe. Bridging theory and practice, it offers vital insights into how regenerative, inclusive, and just futures can be co-created.

For changemakers, students, and all those seeking hope, direction, and clarity in a time of global uncertainty, this book is both a call to action and a guide for transformation-inviting readers to imagine and co-create sustainable and just futures our hearts and minds know are possible.

Selected Endorsements

Inger Andersen - Executive Director, UNEP: "This volume is a progressive and constructive contribution to building societies in harmony with nature."

Mary Robinson - The Elders, and Former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner: "This book makes clear that a new eco-social contract must be built on structural justice, intergenerational equity, and inclusive governance."

Jayati Ghosh - Club of Rome, and UN High-Level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs: "An incredibly timely and significant book that could not be more relevant for our current planetary emergency. Some light in the seeming darkness!"

Kumi Naidoo - President, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative: "This book convincingly shows why and how we must transition from systems that devalue life to economies that cherish well-being and shared prosperity."

Karen O'Brien - Co-Chair, IPBES Transformative Change Assessment: "This book shows how we can recognize ourselves as agents of change. When we do, new realities become thinkable and actionable."

Daan Zieren, Chair Youth Climate Movement (The Netherlands), part of the We Are Tomorrow Global Partnership (WAT-GP): "Young people feel the urgency of the climate crisis, but they lack the perspective of a structural solution. For a shared vision of the future, we need new forms of involvement. The eco-social contract offers an inspiring example of how we can build a sustainable future together."

This book distils thirty years of creative practice into a rigorous inquiry that bridges artmaking, somatic intelligence, and systems thinking. Rooted in the author's concept of Embodied Matter Exploration (EME), it positions creativity as cultural metabolism, where material, memory, and body co-compose meaning. Each chapter unfolds around an artwork as theory, method, and intervention. Resisting fragmentation, the book integrates autoethnography, semiotics, and living systems thinking.

Academic literature is treated as a dialogical companion. By participating in meaning making and interpretation, readers gain new perceptions of self, nature, and society, and develop critical reflections to challenge pressing issues such as social injustice, environmental sustainability, and technology's shaping impacts. A thought-provoking read for those interested in systems theory, anthropology, health psychology, neuroscience, and ecology, this practice-led and autoethnographic work opens new paths to possibility studies and creative research.

This book explores the impact of digital technology on the preservation and transmission of intangible cultural heritage and the evolution of cultural industries. The first section highlights the crucial role of digital technology in the protection and dissemination of intangible heritage. The second section theoretically analyzes the multifaceted relationships in the development of digital and cultural industry and examines the characteristics of cultural consumption in the digital economy era and its guidance, the role of 5G technology on driving innovation and advancing development in the cultural industry, and issues related to artificial intelligence and the digital cultural industry. The third section primarily discusses issues including the media revolution triggered by the development of new technologies, online communication and public opinion guidance, cyber-communities and social networking, as well as the construction of violence evaluation indices in video gaming. This book represents considerable theoretical and practical significance for advancing the digital protection and dissemination of intangible cultural heritage and enhancing the competitiveness of cultural industries through the application of digital technologies.

This book invites readers into a space of reflection, emotion, and ethical inquiry. In an age defined by technological disruption, this groundbreaking book explores how journalists are emotionally and ethically navigating the complex integration of AI in their work. Moving beyond the binary of resistance versus blind acceptance, it introduces the concept of Imperfect AI: a human-centered, critically reflective approach that embraces ambiguity, fosters dialogue, and acknowledges both the potential and the limits of emerging technologies. Drawing on theoretical insights and cross-cultural interviews, this book situates journalists' reactions within broader sociocultural and epistemological frameworks. It is essential reading for scholars, practitioners, and students interested in media ethics, emotional labor, and the future of journalism. Imperfect AI isn't just a technological concept, it's a call to rethink our relationship with machines, each other, and the truth.

The goal of this book is to advance our understanding of how "high-stakes information", including religious information, will be presented by AI systems and the implications to our sense of identity, how we see the world and how we treat others.To do this, it explores the potential influence of AI on the way people across multiple religious and non-religious backgrounds experience spirituality. The book explains how data was gathered through qualitative field research with participants and their interactions with AI entities on existential questions. These experiences presented religious information from various sources (e.g. insider, outsider) in a variety of media forms (e.g. search engines, SMS and web chatbots, voice assistants). The findings suggest that artificial intelligence has the potential to exercise significant influence on our spirituality, personal worldviews and interaction in society.

Presents a transformative journey through Christian doctrine

William Lane Craig's Systematic Philosophical Theology is a multi-volume explication of Christian doctrine in the classic Protestant tradition of the loci communes as seen through the lens of contemporary analytic philosophy. Uniquely blending the disciplines of biblical theology, historical theology, and analytic theology, these volumes aim to provide readers with a biblical and philosophically coherent articulation of a wide range of Christian doctrines.

In Volume III, Craig continues his ambitious project of constructing a comprehensive, interdisciplinary theological system by exploring the doctrines of creation and humanity. Building on the metaphysical groundwork laid in the preceding volume concerning the existence and nature of God, Volume III investigates the implications of divine reality for everything that exists apart from God-particularly creation and human nature. Here, theology is not approached in isolation but in dialogue with contemporary philosophical reflection and cutting-edge scientific research, resulting in a work that speaks both to traditional theological concerns and modern intellectual contexts.

Volume III is distinctive in its integration of theological loci-De creation and De homine-with insights from disciplines often underrepresented in systematic theology, including organic chemistry, evolutionary biology, neurology, and paleoanthropology. The treatment of topics such as divine providence, human origins, and the Imago Dei is shaped not only by philosophical rigor and biblical exegesis but also by a robust Molinist framework.

• Promotes a synoptic Christian worldview that speaks to both faith and reason
• Bridges the gap between historical theological method and modern empirical inquiry
• Contributes to a diverse theological landscape with fresh perspectives on traditional concepts
• Provides a unique resource for theologians, philosophers, and scholars interested in science-faith integration
• Includes excursuses on the origin and evolution of life and the historical Adam

Offering a clear and structured exposition of complex theological and philosophical topics, Systematic Philosophical Theology, Volume III, is ideal for graduate and advanced undergraduate students studying philosophy of religion, theology, or apologetics. It serves as a core or supplementary text for courses in systematic theology, philosophical theology, and Christian doctrine, and is an invaluable reference for scholars, theologians, and religious philosophers seeking a deeper understanding of the rational foundations of Christian theism.

This book provides a synthesis of Late Neolithic / Early Chalcolithic imagery from South-Central Anatolia, encompassing both Central Anatolia and the Lake District. It explores the nature of transformations and continuities in imagery during the period between 6500-5500 BC. The author examines three main categories of artifacts - pottery, figurines and stamp seals - to trace the presence and transformation of particular images in time.

The Neolithic site of Catalhoeyuek (7100- 5950 BC) in Central Anatolia is renowned for its elaborate art found inside the houses. A wide variety of anthropomorphic, zoomorphic and geometric motifs and themes were reproduced on wall paintings, reliefs and mobile objects. The author addresses the question of what happened with the repertoire of motifs in the upper levels of Catalhoeyuek and after its abandonment, and what circumstances might have been related to this transformation. To reassess the imagery, data was collected from Late Neolithic levels at Catalhoeyuek investigated by the Polish team since 2001, as well as from four intensively excavated sites from the Lakes region: Hacilar, Kurucay, Hoeyuecek and Bademagaci. The author applies the semiotic perspective of American philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce, which they argue is a useful framework for discussing the imagery and its transformation over time. The analytical model used is the so-called replication, which allows grasping the diachronic changes. It has never been applied to studies on Neolithic / Chalcolithic imagery.

This open access volume offers a timely and original contribution to scholarships in the Middle East and North Africa by focusing on governance and public policy in post-conflict contexts. Unlike works that center primarily on conflict and geopolitics, Governance without Government examines how authority is exercised in fragmented and transitional settings. Drawing on diverse case studies, the book explores informal governance, hybrid institutions, and the evolving roles of state and non-state actors across the MENA region.
Each chapter of the book delves into specialized and focused realms, presenting a lucid, cohesive, and compelling narrative. Tailored to cater to upper-level undergraduates and postgraduates specializing in the politics, international relations, and political economy of the MENA region, it also offering valuable insights for research degrees homing in on country-specific or thematic case studies. The interdisciplinary and international appeal ensures its relevance on reading lists globally, extending beyond North America and the United Kingdom.
Setting itself apart in terms of originality and composition, this book stands out amid a decade since the Arab Spring, distinguishing itself from a limited pool of comparable titles. The amalgamation of empirical and theoretical approaches enhances its worth, rendering it an indispensable resource for policy-oriented graduate students, researchers, and professionals immersed in or focusing on the MENA region and Africa. The chapters carve out new territory, both conceptually and empirically, offering insights that are not only groundbreaking but also highly applicable in navigating the intricate landscapes of governance in conflict-affected areas.
As the MENA region confronts novel policy challenges, our book encapsulates a snapshot of case studies and the wellspring of policy-relevant concepts and ideas. Addressing lingering issues post-2011, it lays the groundwork for these regions to progress in a more sustainable manner. "Governance without Government" transcends by being a mere book; it evolves into a guide for comprehending and shaping the future of governance within the ever-changing landscape of the MENA region.

About the Editor: Moosa Elayah is Associate Professor of Public Administration at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. His work focuses on governance, civil society, and post-conflict institutional development in the MENA region.

This book investigates how authoritarian regimes extend repression beyond borders by targeting diaspora communities. Focusing on the strategic fusion of soft, sharp, and hard power, it introduces the concept of hybrid transnationalism to explain Turkey's deployment of cultural diplomacy, religious outreach, surveillance, abductions, and legal manipulation-such as the misuse of Interpol Red Notices. These mechanisms are shown not as isolated acts but as part of a coherent strategy to suppress dissent, enforce ideological loyalty, and consolidate authoritarian rule transnationally.

The book draws on rich empirical data, including institutional case studies and cross-border repression incidents, revealing how Turkish institutions like the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) serve dual roles-facilitating cultural ties while enabling surveillance and community control.

Situated within the broader landscape of global authoritarianism, the book offers comparative insights, highlighting shared tools of diaspora surveillance and the manipulation of international institutions. It emphasizes how Turkey's position within liberal internationalism allows it to exploit democratic norms and mechanisms while undermining them from within.

Timely and theoretically innovative, the book contributes vital understanding of how authoritarianism becomes mobile, adaptive, and emotionally resonant in the 21st century. Readers will benefit from an in-depth understanding of how authoritarian regimes operate across borders and the vulnerabilities in global governance systems they exploit. This book is essential for scholars, policymakers, human rights advocates, and diaspora members seeking to understand and counter the challenges posed by transnational repression. It offers actionable insights into safeguarding democratic values, protecting vulnerable populations, and reforming international institutions. The book fills a critical gap in the literature on authoritarianism, diaspora studies, and international law, making it a timely and indispensable resource.

This book explores how small states can wield significant influence in international relations through strategic diplomacy and smart power. It challenges the traditional perception of small states as passive or powerless, offering a compelling case for their agency in global affairs. The chapters examine how Qatar combines mediation, alliance-building, and selective deterrence to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes. Drawing on real-world cases, including Qatar's role in international negotiations and conflict resolution, it demonstrates how small states can shape regional and global outcomes. It critically engages with dominant international relations theories, highlights the limitations of Eurocentric narratives, and offers an alternative lens for understanding global power dynamics. This accessible and timely study is essential reading for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in foreign policy, Gulf politics, or small-state diplomacy. It reveals how smart power strategies redefine the possibilities available to smaller nations in today's multipolar world.

The book revolves around narrative as an intriguing, as well as intricate object of analysis and demonstrates how theoretically sound and empirically founded narrative research can look like. Migration is imbued, motivated, and shaped by imagination. Based on the everyday language around migration in Cameroon, the author is exploring social narratives about migration and their relationship with the global. Migration storytelling is a cultural force which speaks about people and their lives to the fullest: What they aspire to, the risks they take, and the stories they tell about all of it.

This book explores how Africa can assert its sovereignty amid intensifying global power struggles. As tariff disputes, trade wars, and geopolitical rivalries fracture the international order, Africa finds itself navigating a dangerous and rapidly shifting landscape. These bellicose tensions threaten to undermine the continent's developmental ambitions unless countered by a bold and unified strategy. The book traces Africa's institutional evolution, from the Lagos Plan of Action to the African Continental Free Trade Area, arguing that Agenda 2063 must now move from vision to implementation. Through detailed analysis of African Union frameworks, economic integration efforts, and global trade dynamics, the text underscores the urgency of building resilient, inclusive, and independent systems. Africa must not remain a passive bystander in the emerging multipolar world. It must seize the moment to strengthen multilateralism, deepen regionalism, and champion a new era of Pan-African agency.

In recent decades, Latin America has grappled with crises, conflicts, and inherent contradictions deeply rooted in the capitalist fabric of social relations. In his groundbreaking research, author Daniel Felipe Lopez Perez delves into the historical foundations of enduring capitalist hegemonies across the region.

Central to Lopez Perez's exploration is the notion of "hegemonic vehicles"-a powerful lens for comprehending global politics. He redirects the focus of hegemony strategy, emphasizing how local bourgeoisies skilfully create, adapt, and perpetuate social institutions to mold social interactions in their favor. These institutions, often arising from significant historical, political, economic, and cultural milestones, underpin the current social order. Drawing on a class analysis spanning Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Mexico, Lopez Perez sheds light on the resilience of capitalist systems even amidst conflicts and crises. By tracing the historical trajectory of capitalist dominance, his work equips critics, scholars, activists, and the working class with tools to scrutinize the existing social system and strategically strive for a more equitable society.

Through an exploration of historiographies, a contextual class analysis, and critiques of underlying ideologies, Lopez Perez challenges conventional interpretations of Latin American history. His deep dive into the nuanced relationships between power, social orders, and capitalism is essential reading for scholars in the fields of Latin American studies, political economy, and sociology.

This book offers a novel approach to the new science of conservation biogeography, for the more effective assessment and management of human-animal relationships, supported by natural and social science perspectives and technological developments. Conservation biogeography offers a deeper understanding of the modern context of rapid environmental change, politicized and polarized opinions on conservation, and the role for computational technology. Conservation biogeography includes individual perspectives within conservation psychology and group-based issues in broad social, economic, and political contexts. Concepts examined include intersections between wildlife charisma and conservation, perspectives on trophy hunting and human-environment relationships, environmental applications of geomatics, and computerization. This book contributes to the interests of academic researchers, students, practitioners and policymakers, and general readers.

Megaprojects are not merely transformative, but rather, they are inherently disruptive. They are incompatible with any approach to urban sustainability that prioritizes the well-being of urbanites and the boundaries of the Earth system. In fact, megaprojects undermine efforts to tackle the global impacts associated with both the destructive creation of capitalism and the new climate regime.

The reason for this state of affairs is not cost overruns and poor megaproject management, but the disruptive impacts that megaprojects have on urban areas. This book emphasizes the impacts imperative in megaproject planning: the importance of identifying disruptive impacts as a prerequisite for critically assessing whether megaprojects should be built.

Drawing on 18 megaprojects in 16 cities around the world (inter alia, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, Barcelona, Boston, New York and Shanghai), Contesting Megaprojects illustrates urban-regional trajectories over the past fifty years. These trajectories show the coexistence of property development, culture, and iconic architecture, together with a more recent interest in science and technology, innovation, and sustainability as strategies to foster urban competitiveness.

Megaprojects cause massive disruptions everywhere, and the book offers a typology of megaproject impacts: socioeconomic, environmental, spatial, political and geopolitical, financial, cultural and systemic. As a response to this emerging complex web of interrelated megaproject impacts (disruptive complexity), the book develops the concept of complex sustainability, a transdisciplinary approach to urban sustainability, through socioeconomic sustainability and deep sustainability.

The critical outlook of this book contributes to fundamental debates around capitalist development: trickle-down urbanism, spectacularization, high-tech innovation and AI, planetary boundaries, global risks, resilience, the right to the city, geopolitics, democracy, prosperity, and power. Contesting Megaprojects can help urban scholars and analysts, practitioners, policymakers, and residents of cities better understand the complex impacts of urban megaprojects, their magnitude and consequences, and identify pathways of analysis and action toward a more sustainable and just future.

This edited volume contains contributions from scholars from all over the world that outline their version of relational sociology, situate it within the relational landscape and indicate how it might contribute to the development of a relational paradigm. This book aims to open a variety of perspectives on relational sociology and to bring them into a fruitful, frictional dialogue. These chapters draw on the canonical authors of the relational turn, present relational perspectives in the neighbouring disciplines, integrate divergent approaches, solve important conceptual problems, articulate the relations between the core concepts of relational sociology, and apply the relational perspective to subfields of sociology. The first part of the book considers structuralism, post-structuralism and the new institutionalism. The second part is concerned with the "hard core" of relational sociology and takes the work of Pierre Bourdieu and Harrison White in another direction. The third part is the most innovative one and contains texts that add another turn to the relational turn. The final part lifts the veil on non-human relations and brings the Anthopocene to the fore.

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of digital communication, catering to scholars, career starters, and individuals seeking to enhance their online skills. It navigates the dynamic digital landscape, providing updated strategies for thriving in the digital age. Tailored for language learners, this book equips readers with tools for effective communication in target languages, addressing foundational concepts, cultural contexts, and practical guidelines. It delves into netiquette, social inclusion, microblogging, and social media strategies, alongside discussions on opinion negotiation and content moderation. Emphasizing cross-cultural awareness, critical thinking, and media literacy, the chapters transcend practical skills. By integrating theoretical insights with actionable advice and case studies, it prepares readers to engage responsibly with the complexities of the digital world. It is a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners, and students in digital, corporate, public, and development communication-within India and beyond.

This book examines the extent to which the practices of television's past are shaping its online future. Challenging industry and scholarly claims of digital disruption, it demonstrates how streaming giants like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video, alongside public service broadcasters like the BBC and Channel 4, maintain deep continuities with television history, adapting established industry practices online rather than abandoning them. The authors look at how media institutions have applied conventional broadcast television practices around live transmissions, linear scheduling, commercial interruption, and episode release cadences to streaming platforms; how narrative and genre norms continue to underpin American television drama and British TV sitcoms in online contexts; and how globalised streaming services cultivate country specific programming and retain close ties to traditional practices of national broadcasting systems in South Korea.

This book explores the often-overlooked experiences of Black NASCAR fans, challenging the sport's traditional image as a stronghold of Southern white conservatism. Through a narrative inquiry approach, the book examines how Black fans navigate and transform NASCAR's cultural and spatial landscapes. Divided into three sections, it delves into Black placemaking within NASCAR, the impact of pervasive whiteness in the sport's geographies, and offers practical recommendations for fostering greater inclusivity within NASCAR. The presence and influence of Black fans within this space have largely been ignored in academic discourse, media coverage, and the sport's own self-representation. This book seeks to address this significant gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive and in-depth examination of how Black fans engage with, navigate, and transform the cultural and spatial landscapes of NASCAR while providing actionable insights for creating more equitable and inclusive environments in American sports.