Probably intending his work as a textbook for undergraduate international relations courses, Handelman (political science, U. of Wisconsin at Milwaukee) attempts to find common themes among the experiences of the roughly 150 countries he defines as the "Third World." Topics include theories of development and underdevelopment, democratic transitions, religion and politics, cultural pluralism and ethnic conflict, gender, agrarian politics, urbanization and the urban poor, revolutionary change, military politics, and political economy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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A timely book about the politics of developing nations. This book is clearly written, presenting information that is vital to understanding the sweeping changes that are taking place in the more than 150 countries that make up the Third World. In light of the recent traumatic events that have occurred in the United States, the material presented in this book lets the reader know about the phenomena of Islamic fundamentalism, ethnic warfare, and democratic transitions in developing nations, and about their key issues and socio-economic trends. Stressing democratic change, gender issues, religious, political and ethnic conflicts, the book has case studies of countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, the former Soviet bloc of nations, and southern Europe. For persons in the communications field, workers in international/multinational corporations with business in developing countries, journalists, or anyone needing up-to-date and important information regarding the socio-political dynamics of Third World nations.
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