Every birth brings with it pain, suffering and death. Are life's joys and pleasures worth its costs? This book examines a set of perspectives - religious, philosophical, and literary - which find human existence deeply flawed and unacceptable. Its modern expression by philosophers Benatar and Zapffe as anti-natalism needs to be taken seriously in our choice whether to procreate or not.

This Red Mole Guide gathers two foundational documents of the mid-1960s British workers'-control revival. The Nottingham 1966 Conference report (The Week / Centre for Socialist Education) collects seminar findings on industrial democracy across mining, docks, steel, buses, aircraft, and health and safety, alongside Ken Coates on definitions and a study of Poland's workers' councils. The Hull University Socialist Society symposium (Spring 1967, ed. Tom Fawthrop) argues the case in four part...

The Arctic that emerged over the past forty years became one of the most innovative policy environments in the world. The region developed impressive systems for intra-regional cooperation, responded to the challenges of rapid environmental change, empowered and engaged with Indigenous peoples, and dealt with the multiple challenges of natural resource development. The second edition of The Palgrave Handbook on Arctic Policy and Politics draws on scholars from many countries and academic d...

Bringing together the work of sixteen international Japan specialists and scholars, this book analyzes Japan’s culture and history to reflect on the critical policy decisions and national commitments required for the country to continue to succeed.Comparing the current situation with the uncertainties of the late nineteenth century, this book investigates the possibility and desirability of a "New Meiji Transformation" in Japan. Set in the context of perceived demographic, ecologic...

The multiple and diverse forces of globalization have, indeed, affected Japan significantly over the past decades. But so, it must be said, has Japan influenced a variety of critical global developments - globalization is not a one-way street, particularly for a nation as economically influential and technologically advanced as Japan. The chapters in this collection examine the impact of globalization on Japan and the impact of Japan on the forces of globalization from the various discipli...

THE PHENOMENAL BESTSELLER'Fantastic, timely, eye-opening' Armando Iannucci, New Statesman, Books of the Year'Captures a collective sense of anger and awakening' Matt Haig, Observer, Books of the YearBehind our democracy lurks a powerful but unaccountable network of people who wield massive power and reap huge profits in the process. In exposing this shadowy and complex system that dominates our lives, Owen Jones set...

Starting with the publication of their seminal bestseller, Future Shock, Alvin and Heidi Toffler have given millions of readers new ways to think about personal life in today’s high-speed world with its constantly changing, seemingly random impacts on our businesses, governments, families and daily lives. Now, writing with the same rare grasp and clarity that made their earlier books classics, the Tofflers turn their attention to the revolution in wealth now sweeping the planet. A...

The acclaimed account of post-Brexit British politics: a must-read for understanding how we've got to where we are today.'Richly argued and brilliantly written... a deeply thoughtful analysis that should be mandatory reading for anyone seeking to understand where we have gone wrong.' - FINANCIAL TIMESIn WTF? Robert Peston draws on his years of experience as a political, economics and business journalist to show us what has gone bad...

The distinguished sociologist Richard Sennett surveys major differences between earlier forms of industrial capitalism and the more global, more febrile, ever more mutable version of capitalism that is taking its place. He shows how these changes affect everyday life-how the work ethic is changing; how new beliefs about merit and talent displace old values of craftsmanship and achievement; how what Sennett calls the specter of uselessness” haunts professionals as well as manual workers;...

'A witty, lucid investigation into one of the great mysteries of our time' JONATHAN COE‘Should be read and enjoyed by readers on the left, right and centre’ David Edgerton, TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT________________________________________________Why do British politics so often play out on the Tories’ terms? What does this say about our democracy?In his revelatory book, Samuel Earle explores the root...

Following a crushing defeat in World War II, Japan rose like a phoenix from the literal ashes to become a model of modernity and success, for decades Asia’s premier economic giant. Yet it remains a nation hobbled by rigid gender roles, protectionist policies, and a defensive, inflexible corporate system that has helped bring about political and economic stagnation. The unique social cohesion that enabled Japan to cope with adversity and develop swiftly has also encouraged isolationism, giv...

'I strongly agree with the central message of [the] book...that we need a sense of moral compass in politics... Put together it's pretty shocking' Rory Stewart on The Rest is Politics: LeadingAs Prime Minister and Home Secretary, Theresa May came face-to-face with a series of issues in which the abuse of power led to devastating results for individuals and significantly damaged the trust in public institutions and politicians. From the Grenfell tragedy to ...