This book challenges the notion that strategic narratives, which carry soft power significance, are seamlessly projected to audiences. It offers the first book-length critical analysis of the non-linear dissemination of strategic narratives in the digital age, focusing on social media.

Through a case study of a Chinese state-aligned outlet's mediation of Russian broadcaster RT's videos and their remediation by Chinese social media users' danmu comments on Bilibili, it reveals disruptions by participatory media agents, including outlets and audiences. These multilayered mediations, driven by political and commercial agendas or online practices, yield unexpected benefits and challenges for narrative producers. The book's main argument is that state actors have little control over the dissemination of the strategic narratives they project in the digital age. The dissemination paths of these narratives are non-linear and involve multilayered mediations imposed by other political actors for their own political and commercial agendas, as well as mediations introduced by participatory audiences who impose their own online practices, conventions, and rituals onto the narratives.

A major intervention in the study of soft power projection through public diplomacy in the online era and the emerging geopolitical alliance between Russia and China, this interdisciplinary book will be of interest to researchers in the fields of Media Studies, Russia-China relations, Political Communication, Digital Culture, and Studies of Russian politics and Chinese politics.

We live in an age of counterrevolution. Liberal elites around the world are weaponising their fascistic narratives, creating political enemies of the 'other' as a means of consolidating even more power and wealth. While scapegoating minorities is nothing new, we have never seen it happen quite like this before.

Today, global capitalism is financialised, tech-driven and violently mercantilist. This collection of essays from leading researchers reveals new forms of the radical right, neo-nationalism, authoritarian neoliberalism, illiberalism and democratic backsliding.

Looking beyond the simplistic headlines, they reveal the deep systemic shifts that have been building for decades. Exploring India, Eastern Europe, the US, Argentina, Germany and more, Backlash draws the systemic connections between these seemingly nationalist movements, providing crucial information for those on the left looking for weaknesses in the terrifying rise of the right.

This cutting-edge collection of essays analyzes the pivotal year of 1989 and the transformation processes that resulted from a historical perspective. It takes the events of that momentous year as a pivot to explore longer-term processes of economic, social, political, and cultural transformation linked to the rise of neoliberalism and globalization since the 1970s and enduring until now.

Referencing the work of Karl Polanyi, the handbook advances four main arguments: that the "great transformation" presented here started earlier than 1989; that its legacies linger in spaces, practices, and objects; that in order to grasp the scale of what happened around 1989, it is important to bring Eastern and Central Europe into conversation with other global regions; and that the former Eastern Bloc served as an important node in a larger, global transformation. Insisting on the "Second World's" place in the global history of the past five decades, this handbook challenges straightforward core-periphery dichotomies. The contributions to this volume provide different case studies-some national, some comparative, some international or global-each illustrating particular trends and developments.

The handbook is directed at students and scholars of contemporary history of East Central Europe, of global and economic history, and at scholars of sociology, anthropology, and political science interested in post-1989 transformation, neoliberalism, and globalization.

Media Literacy and E-Democracy in the EU examines the crucial role of media literacy in strengthening e-democracy within the European Union (EU).

In an era where digital media increasingly shape democratic processes, the EU faces both new opportunities and challenges in promoting active citizenship and transparent governance. This book explores how media education aimed at advancing digital media literacy can serve as the foundation for informed and responsible civic engagement, helping to build a more resilient democratic society. Drawing on a comprehensive analysis of current e-democracy initiatives in the EU, the book offers a fresh perspective on the relevance of media education to advance citizens' digital media literacy. It focuses on the EU due to its unique governance features and distinct digital policy framework. However, its insights and best practices are relevant globally, as media literacy and democratic engagement are universal challenges. The interplay between fast advancements of digitalisation of communication, media literacy and citizens' ability and willingness to participate actively in public affairs is examined in depth.

Interdisciplinary in approach, this book will interest students and scholars in political science, media studies, sociology and European studies, as well as policymakers and civil society actors focused on digital governance and civic engagement. Media professionals, journalists and educators will also find it valuable for understanding and shaping democratic participation in the digital age.

Leading scholars review a broad body of existing literature, outlining how the effectiveness of international bureaucracies is profoundly shaped by the capacity of international bureaucracies to operate independently of member-state governments. They illustrate the extent and restraints of bureaucracies' autonomy, covering key theories including bureaucratic politics, public service bargains, institutionalism, organization theory, organizational learning and social constructivism. Ultimately, the Research Handbook advances theoretical and empirical research in the field while establishing agendas for future study.

This is a necessary read for scholars and students of politics and public policy, particularly those in the fields of regulation and governance and public administration and management.

Guillaume Fontaine and Iris Geva-May assess the range of research designs employed in CPA, drawing on examples from different policy areas and countries to investigate the main challenges of using multi-methods for comparison. Their analysis advances understanding of comparative analytical studies, overcoming the divide between quantitative and qualitative approaches. Chapters cover the epistemology and methodology of CPA, the methods associated with probabilistic frameworks, and those aligned with deterministic frameworks. The book ultimately connects research and practice to provide guidance on how best to study contemporary policy at the cross-national, national and sub-national level.

Comparative Policy Analysis is an essential resource for students and academics interested in public policy design, analysis and administration. It is also an important read for policy-makers seeking insight into evidence-based decision making.

Editors Maria Schiller and Peter Scholten bring together global experts in public policy, governance, and political science to examine the challenges facing policymakers. They explore the interrelationship between international and national migration policy and politics, the variations in policies when considering different types of migration, and the diverse actors and dynamics in migration policymaking. The Handbook concludes with a reflective section on the field's development and its significance for public policy studies.

This Handbook is a vital reference for scholars and researchers in the fields of public policy and governance, political science, and migration and integration studies. Policymakers and practitioners from NGOs and international organizations will also benefit from this Handbook's theoretical and practical insights.

Bridging the gap between theory and practice, chapters explore whether blockchain can truly transform public governance and under what conditions its adoption can be successful. It examines blockchain's potential to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in areas such as public finance, healthcare, education, identity management, and regulatory compliance. Contributors analyze both the opportunities and challenges of integrating blockchain into governance structures, addressing key managerial, regulatory, and technical considerations. Through real-world case studies, chapters investigate the specific institutional, technological, and organizational conditions required for meaningful impact. They detail a roadmap for leveraging blockchain effectively in public governance, ultimately helping decision-makers to navigate its complexities and maximize its potential.

Multidisciplinary in scope, this Handbook is a crucial resource for scholars and students of public policy, innovation and technology, and governance. It is also a beneficial read for policymakers and practitioners in public administration and management for its discussion of the pressing policy challenges associated with the use of blockchain in the public sector.

'Compelling .. a very interesting, challenging read' - Alastair Campbell, co-host of The Rest Is Politics

'Brilliant ... this is such a crucial book, and it's a book that had to be written. Everyone go and get it' - Owen Jones

'I cannot recommend it enough. A stunning work of data analysis proving the genocide incitement perpetrated by legacy liberal media' - Matthew Remski, co-author of Conspirituality

As bombs rained down on Gaza in October 2023, images of mass death and destruction gripped the world, and openly genocidal statements from Israeli leaders foretold the magnitude of horrors to come. But the US media was quick to downplay, obscure, and repackage an emerging campaign of extermination into a slick "war on terror" framework.

How to Sell a Genocide is a thorough indictment of US corporate media's role in enabling-and, at times, directly inciting-one of the most devastating campaigns of mass killing in modern memory. Johnson unpacks how major news outlets like The New York Times, CNN, and MSNBC systematically sanitized Israel's war crimes, hid the US's central role, and dehumanized the Palestinian people.

Drawing from deep, original data-driven analysis, Johnson dissects the mechanics of propaganda, from the selective empathy, strategic omissions, overt racism and repetition of state-sanctioned falsehoods, to the demonization of humanitarian workers and dishonest coverage of campus protests. With clarity and moral force, Johnson argues that the genocide could not have been sustained without the active, sustained complicity of the US media.

All royalties from the book will be donated to the Middle East Children's Alliance.

As myths of progress and modernisation collapse in the relentless polycrisis of our time, how do we strengthen other plots-in community, practice and struggle? How do we come together as movements for earthcare?

This book weaves stories, proposals, and analyses around a key domain of living reproduction in crisis: agriculture. Looking at peasant, indigenous, and transecofeminist practices, it formulates another plot on how we want to sustain life collectively-beyond progress, plantation, and patriarchy.

Recovering and repurposing old and new technologies, and breaking down the division between rural and urban, the ground is made fertile for growing other futures. Alongside writers like Ursula Le Guin and Octavia Butler, this work of radical political theory raises critical questions about technology and storytelling, as matters of care and community.

The Philosophy of Role-Playing Games: Art, Inquiry, and Ritual explores how role-playing games (RPGs) serve as immersive laboratories for exploring identity, ideology, and self-discovery. By weaving together interdisciplinary insights from current RPG scholars with the theories of philosophical giants in fields such as pragmatism, aesthetics, epistemology, and metaphysics, Albert R. Spencer sheds light on the unique aesthetic of this medium and the transformative moments that generations of players have experienced. Combining thought-provoking analysis with practical case studies, Spencer explains how the agency of the players and the authority of the Gamemaster (GM) cooperatively interact with the rules and dice to simulate the immersive collaborative worlds that they build and explore.

The Philosophy of Role-Playing Games appeals to GMs, players, designers, students, and scholars interested in how RPGs operate not only as entertainment but as transformative spaces for self-exploration, philosophical insights, spiritual experiences, and the fostering of close-knit communities

The New Public Bureaucracy investigates the growing number of organisational professionals whose primary role is the management of internal functions, such as quality control, audits, performance review and organisational branding. The book examines and verifies this growth by drawing on public sector workforce data and case studies from New Zealand and Sweden concerning transport agencies, police forces and higher education sectors. Loefgren and Hall also identify patterns of growing attention to accountability through the expansion of managerialism, politicisation and professionalisation. They explain the development of a new type of bureaucratisation as the result of the tension between politics and public administration.

This book is an essential resource for students and academics in management, human resources and public administration. The New Public Bureaucracy is also beneficial to government professionals working in management to resolve internal organisational issues.

Contributors highlight several opportunities presented by the increased use of digital co-production, such as reducing information asymmetry, improving co-design, making participation more inclusive, and enhancing scalability. They also draw attention to various risks, from the potential reduction of physical interaction to the rejection of responsibility and reinforced inequalities. Chapters explore the challenges and contradictions of digital co-production as a distinct mode of interaction between public services and citizens. Synthesising key insights, the book ultimately recommends ways in which digital co-production can be managed most effectively by discussing a range of tools and methods, including artificial intelligence, behavioural nudging and digital platforms.

This book is a valuable resource for scholars and students in the fields of public administration and management studies. Practitioners, especially those in public administrations experimenting with digital participation, will also greatly benefit from this book.

While global justice is a hot topic in political philosophy, the place of children and children as a particular group of agents has been largely ignored. This book explores global justice for children from the perspective of the capability approach.

The capability approach provides a fruitful normative foundation for exploring the issue of global justice for children. To spell this out, it is necessary to address the questions of the currency of justice, its principles, and the allocation of responsibility, and to show that all children have a moral claim to the capabilities and functionings they require for a sufficiently good life. The first chapters are devoted to the status of children in political philosophy and to methodological considerations. The next chapters then argue that developing capabilities and functionings constitute the appropriate currency of global justice. The discussion then turns to the question of the principle of global justice, advocating a sufficiency principle that recognizes different thresholds in order to secure a sufficiently good life for all children. Finally, the concluding chapters address the question of responsibility for justice. Here, the book develops a theory of differentiated responsibility, which distributes responsibilities among various agents.

Global Justice for Children will be of interest to researchers and students working in social and political philosophy, ethics, philosophy of childhood and development studies.

More than 40 contributing authors present crucial pedagogical reflections, practical insights, and approaches across a wide range of contexts, providing educators with a toolkit to navigate the challenges of teaching political communication in this political climate. Across two parts, Teaching Political Communication first explores foundational political issues to lay a foundation for navigating politics in the classroom, then focuses on practical applications to aid teaching and learning. This includes the use of collaborative inquiry, experiential learning, public speaking, simulations, digital technology, and much more.

This is an essential resource for those teaching higher education courses in political communication, and politics and public policy more broadly. It is also an enlightening read for students and academics interested in research methods, teaching methods, international relations, and sociology.

The Originary Structure (La struttura originaria) (1958) is the foundation of Italian philosopher Emanuele Severino's thought, the starting point that establishes and recognizes the essential tenets of the incontrovertibility and necessity of the 'truth of being'.

The first book written by Severino, it lays out the logical structure that underlies the philosophical development of his thought for the next six decades. According to Severino himself, it constitutes 'the ground as part of which all his subsequent writings receive their own meaning' - first and foremost because it aims to articulate the structure of the appearing and meaning of everything that is and appears, according to a logic that should prove itself to be unable to be refuted by any (non)philosophical discourse. This book presents the fundamental determinations of a philosophical discourse that cannot be refuted, to the extent that any such refutation would itself be grounded in the discourse to be refuted. It is on the basis of this logical structure that Severino is able to exhibit the necessity of his most challenging claim - that of the eternity of every being.

One of the most singular philosophical works written in the 20th century, this book plays an irreplaceable role in the system of Severino's writings.

Published with the kind support of SEPS (Segretariato Europeo per le Pubblicazioni Scientifiche).

In this book, Henry A. Giroux addresses the attacks on student protesters speaking up against the war on Gaza, and connects this with wider attacks on critical education and democracy. He details the ongoing scholasticide taking place in Palestine, the systematic attacks by the Israeli military on schools, teachers and museums, and argues that they represent the extreme endpoint of a broader, insidious campaign aimed at crushing dissent across universities in the United States, Europe, and beyond. Books are banned, student protesters face police brutality, faculty are purged, history is whitewashed, and faculty are restricted from teaching certain content in the classroom.

Throughout the book he draws links between authoritarianism and education, the war on youth, the politics of higher education, the politics of mass media, as well as what he has termed "organized forgetting". He closes the book by arguing that we live in an era where historical amnesia has been weaponized, where many young people are denied the histories that allow them to narrate their own experiences and assert modes of self-reflection they can claim as their own.

A guide for both everyday readers and policymakers on using creativity and knowledge to imagine the best, prepare for the worst and live with surprise.

Widespread pessimism and fear of the future are everywhere. With times to come often seeming threatening and uncertain, this book offers new perspectives and fresh ways of thinking. Futurologist Florence Gaub shows that everyone can influence what lies ahead--in their personal or professional life, or in society. Her ideas are for those who refuse to be paralysed by fear, instead seeing the future as a space full of possibilities.

Gaub explores how humanity's visions of tomorrow have changed throughout history; she explains what the future is, how it works, what disruptions may arise and how to fix them. She draws on insights from neuroscience, psychology and philosophy to show how humans conceive and construct the future, as individuals and as a society.

A bestseller in Germany, this smart, snappy handbook of ideas is an antidote to passive fatalism. It challenges our lack of faith in our own ability to shape what is to come, or how it will affect our lives. After all, we're the only beings who can imagine the future in such detail that we can actually create it. Gaub is a brilliant guide to rediscovering that gift.

Leading international scholars explore the meta-theoretical presuppositions of social research, along with entries spanning diverse topics including among others the role of art, artificial intelligence, digitalization and oral history. The Encyclopedia traces the evolution of historical research within the field, while highlighting contemporary digital, longitudinal, militant ethnography and other innovations. It promotes methodological pluralism and multi-method research, combining quantitative and qualitative strategies in its investigation of social phenomena and processes.

This Concise Encyclopedia is a valuable resource for scholars, students and researchers across the social sciences looking to orient themselves in this important field.

Key Features:

• Adopts flexible and interdisciplinary perspectives
• Contains 46 accessible and highly informative entries
• Engages with constructive debates about different methodological approaches
• Covers both broad and specialized topics