The Decentralization Delusion challenges the narrative that decentralization leads to enhanced democratic practices and higher levels of economic and social development.Instead, the book argues that decentralization theory tends to rely on assumptions which are idealistic and mostly inappropriate to non-Western contexts. Diving into over 50 case studies from around the globe, the book extensively assesses the intended and unintended outcomes of different types and levels o...

This book examines the UN 2030 SDGs Agenda and its comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach to achieving a more human rights-based and environmentally sustainable development process. More crucially, it provides a much needed and innovative analysis of the role of Monitoring and Evaluation in this Agenda and the challenges that evaluators will face due to the Agenda's inherent weaknesses, coupled with the practice and limited culture of evaluation in general. The authors look to actively ...

This book reassesses performance legitimacy in the context of statebuilding and identifies the paradox between state institution building and state legitimacy by looking at the interplay between state legitimacy and leaders’ legitimacy The author reviews the significant weaknesses associated with the current measures of state legitimacy and uses this to demonstrate the incompatibility of these measurements with the reality faced by conflict and post-conflict countries. The author uses the ...

A Dictionary of Human Resource Management contains more than 2,000 precise and easy-to-understand definitions that are used in the fields of Human Resource Management and Employment Relations. The dictionary covers all areas of HRM, including recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, reward, industrial relations, and the design of work and organizations. Theoretical terms and concepts are clearly explained and the main institutions, legal terms, ...

A Political Economy of the Middle East is the most comprehensive analysis of developments in the political economy of the region over the past several decades, examining the interaction of economic development processes, state systems and policies, and social actors in the Middle East.The fourth edition, with new authors Melani Cammett and Ishac Diwan, has been thoroughly revised, with two new introductory chapters that provide an updated framework with which to understand and study the ma...

While the booming humanitarian sector faces daunting challenges, humanitarian economics emerges as a new field of study and practice--one that encompasses the economics and political economy of war, disaster, terrorism and humanitarianism. Carbonnier's book is the first to present humanitarian economics to a wide readership, defining its parameters, explaining its utility and convincing us why it matters. Among the issues he discusses are: how are emotions and altruism incorporated within ...

Collusion between business communities and the state can lead to a measure of security for those in power, but this kind of interaction often limits new development. In Syria, state-business involvement through informal networks has contributed to an erratic economy. With unique access to private businessmen and select state officials during a critical period of transition, this book examines Syria's political economy from 1970 to 2005 to explain the nation's pattern of state intervention ...

In the fast-paced world of global business, success is marked by the ability to stay on top of currents events, to recognize new trends, and to react quickly to change. This book offers contributions by global marketing authorities to help you understand this rapidly changing international environment and respond to opportunities and perils.Editors Michael R. Czinkota and Ilkka A. Ronkainen use their years of experience in policy, business, and academia to provide these readings no...

The Egyptian protests in early 2011 took many by surprise. In the days immediately following, commentators wondered openly over the changing situation across the Middle East. But protest is nothing new to Egypt, and labor activism and political activism, most notably the Kifaya (Enough) movement, have increased dramatically over recent years. In hindsight, it is the durability of the Mubarak regime, not its sudden loss of legitimacy that should be more surprising. Though many have turned t...

Presenting an empowerment-oriented management approach, this ground-breaking how-to guide covers the most recent innovations and current theories you need to create a successful social service organization.This all-in-one guide to service organization management best practices will help you gain the skills you need to effectively lead and empower your staff. Expert authors provide a comprehensive approach and tackle every important issue related to this complex management field inc...

Despite vast efforts to build the state, profound political order in rural Afghanistan is maintained by self-governing, customary organizations. Informal Order and the State in Afghanistan explores the rules governing these organizations to explain why they can provide public goods. Instead of withering during decades of conflict, customary authority adapted to become more responsive and deliberative. Drawing on hundreds of interviews and observations from dozens of villages across Afghani...

This collection of essays by leading academics offers an alternative approach to the study of today's Arab states by focusing on their participation in neo-liberal globalization rather than on authoritarianism or Islam. The effects of the restructuring of traditional state power engendered by globalization are analyzed separately, through updated empirical research in the political, economic and security processes of each country considered. Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco and Saudi Arabia are the...