State Legitimacy and Development in Africa

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful and Insightful.......2003-11-24

This wonderful and insightful work by Pierre Englebert is one of the best works out there on the political economy of Africa. His thesis is that Africa's wide range of economic experiences (despite the general malaise) has its roots in the varying levels of historical legitimacy exhibited by African states. He backs this argument up with impressive quantitative data and a qualitative look into how illegitimacy retards growth and development. His most controversial claims come as he questions that sanctity of the state boundaries bestoyed on Africa by colonialism. Brilliant, insightful and accessible!

An excellent book........2002-11-01

I learned a lot from reading this book. It provides both a very thorough and detailed account of Africa's mixed development fortunes and an original theory of development and underdevelopment. It is very well written.

Englebert gets it!.......2001-01-03

This book provides a sophisticated and nuanced theory of African underdevelopment, which also explains African success stories! It represents one of the most important theoretical advances in African studies in a long time, and it is not dogmatic at all. This book incorporates historical, sociological, political and economic insights to derive a general theory of the determinants of poverty and weak state capacity in Africa. It is very well written and will be accessible to undergraduates as well as advanced readers. Rich in statistical evidence, the text always remains clear, even to the quantitative novice, and is full of real life examples. A compelling argument and a real "tour de force."

Re-Defining Legitimate Statehood:International Law and State Fragmentation in Africa (Developments in International Law, Vol 36)

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Re-Defining Legitimate Statehood:International Law and State Fragmentation in Africa (Developments in International Law, Vol 36)
Obiora Chinedu Okafor
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Law | Subjects | Books

General | International Law | Law | Subjects | Books

International Law | Law | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

African Studies | Africa | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 9041113533

Book Description

The purpose of this volume is dual. The first is to provide information about the question of the role that doctrines and practices of international law have played in the emergence and persistence of the phenomenon of socio-cultural fragmentation, and therefore of inter-group conflict, within African states. The second is to provide original thought about the ways in which, prompted by the emergent turn in our time to minority and group rights, international law and multilateral African states have begun the long journey toward modifying those doctrines and practices that have led to such unfortunate results, and have thereby begun to make very valuable contributions to the effort to prevent and/or reduce the incidence of inter-group strife in specific African contexts. The book is not, however, limited in scope by its utilisation of Africa as a case study. The book's core is based on analysis of traditional and contemporary international legal doctrines and practices, their effects in specific contexts, as well as on the role of multilateral institutions in the prevention of internecine conflict within established states. It is hoped that, with the use of African states as case studies, the book will be a contribution to the advancement of scholarly knowledge regarding the general question of the relationship among the doctrines of international law, the activities of multilateral institutions, and the management of the problems of fragmentation and internecine strife within established states the world over. This volume is relevant to international lawyers, specialists in international politics, diplomats, theorists, minority and group rights scholars, historians, and human rights activists in general. It is particularly relevant to the African studies specialist, the statesman and the diplomat.

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Fully balanced and based on the right perspective

How to Never Be "Broke" Again!

set me free to study on my own

Tithing and Still Broke
Niral Burnett
Manufacturer: Eternal Word Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Stewardship | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Similar Items:

Tithing: Low-Realm, Obsolete & Defunct

Should the Church Teach Tithing? A Theologian's Conclusions about a Taboo Doctrine

Pagan Christianity: The Origins of Our Modern Church Practices

Tithing in the Age of Grace

Tithing Tithing

ASIN: 0971755116
Release Date: 2006-02-18

Book Description

Tithing and Still Broke answers the most pressing questions concerning the reason why Christians suffer lack. This life changing book will open your eyes to a new way of looking at God's desire for how we should live.

Customer Reviews:

Fully balanced and based on the right perspective.......2007-08-24

A very well balanced. I highly recommend it for the library on this subject. It covers the primary areas:
1. Biblical background of ALL tithe scriptures and the Christian's proper relationship to them. (90% of tithers have no idea what scripture says)
2. Biblical perspective on giving in a post-resurrection era.

As good as the writing is, the Holy Spirit is still significantly missing from the subject.
As cessationist theology continues to successfully blur distinction between the Holy Spirit and cerebral piety, again He gets left out of the equation. Understandably so, as money is so highly coveted. What ministry would want the Holy Spirit in charge of it?

Just think of it, would the **MANY** workers-of-iniquity Jesus warns about, want believers to be led by the Holy Spirit in their giving? Not on your life! They'd be broke! No they depend on that guaranteed monthly revenue from all the sincere worshipers (especially the widows)who, whether they can afford it or not, want to obey God and avoid that terrible curse they've been forever told about.

Do a little research and you will find out this is exactly the reason Jesus cleaned the temple. And believe it, the Holy Spirit would do it again, in a heart beat!

Having said that, buy the book. You won't regret it.

How to Never Be "Broke" Again!.......2007-07-18

This book challenges the popular Christian myth that monetary tithing guarantees that one will be financially blessed and never broke. The myth fails to consider the more important reasons why Christians suffer lack. Although the book rejects the popular teaching that monetary tithing is a biblical mandate for Christians under the New Covenant, one will not find the excessive biblical detail and arguments one gets from certain other books that refute the tithing message. Some may consider this the book's greatest weakness. However, even if those other books free Christians from the monetary tithing message, leaving them with a freedom to give gracefully as they purpose in their hearts (2 Cor. 9:7), do they seriously address why Christians suffer lack regardless of whether or not they "tithe"? Many Christians have sinful habits that waste their resources on frivolous things such as excessive entertainment. Some of their financial debts are caused by carnal living. Although they may like the idea of being free from the obligation of monetary tithing, are their spending habits putting them in financial bondage? Here's a good quote out of Chapter Two: "One of the greatest reasons why so many Christians are tithing and still broke is the abundance of, and addiction to, leisure." I would also add that many Christians need to learn financial intelligence in terms of budgeting, saving, and investing.

There is, however, something more important to consider: one's stewardship of God's resources for the purpose of fulfilling one's God-given vision or calling, the ministry (and/or vocation) God wants to accomplish through you. Beware of investing only in the ministries/vocations of other Christians without investing in your own! This emphasis makes this my favorite book in the contra-tithing genre. It wisely recognizes that if one is fulfilling God's satisfying purpose for one's life, then one is truly prosperous in all the ways that matter most, regardless of any temporary external adversity. In Appendix A [Q & A on Giving & Tithing], in answer to the question of "What is God's will for my finances?," Burnett wisely answers: "God's will is that we have absolutely everything we need for everything He has called us to do. As we walk out our calling, He blesses us with the desires of our heart." I doubt that it could have been said any better.

Although there are excellent lessons to be learned from this book, there are some weaknesses. I've already mentioned what some may consider a weakness: a lack of a more detailed biblical exposition on Old Testament tithing and how it does not apply to New Covenant Christians and actually differs from the mandatory tithing message taught by many today. Some may also consider the primary use of the King James Version of the Bible a weakness, although I don't have a problem with it. Another weakness involves the potential inconsistency of correctly defining prosperity in terms of spiritual abundance and affirming that "poverty is the lack of vision, not of money" but then focusing on obtaining money such as in Appendix B [I am Not Poor], Day 5, which affirms: "All the money that I have given to others shall be brought back to me again." There is a right way to understand this, but one must be careful not to make spiritual abundance the guaranteed means to physical or monetary abundance this side of death. Some Christians suffer to the point of death without ever receiving a monetary return on their financial giving, although they are spiritually abundant and have fulfilled God's will. In terms of the affirmations (or "confessions") in Appendix B, some would question the use of the negative in an affirmation or denial such as "I am NOT Poor" which draws attention to the poverty. They would say that it should be turned into the positive affirmation of "I am Rich". Lastly, I'd like to point out an interpretive weakness. In Chapter 3, Romans 8:1 - 2 with verse 4 is quoted and the "law of sin and death" is referred to as "the Old Testament law of Moses". Actually, the law of sin and death refers to the Adamic curse on the entire human race as taught in Romans Chapter 5 which makes it impossible to fulfill the righteousness of the Mosaic Law.

In spite of the above mentioned weaknesses, I want to again reiterate that this is my favorite book within the contra-tithing genre. I would also recommend Burnett's sequel to this one: From Broke to Broken: Embracing a Life that Lacks Nothing. It addresses how adverse circumstances in general, not just being financially broke, can be successfully overcome through our becoming "broken". As our carnal selves are broken, who we really are in Christ shines forth, allowing God's spiritual abundance within us to flow out in blessings that overcome all evil with good (Romans 12:21). See my review of this book for additional comments.

set me free to study on my own.......2006-04-10

I'd been in the church my whole life and had always heard one message on the tithe. This book gave me a new perspective. Burnett writes that God wants a lot more of us than a tenth of our monetary income. Reading his point of view set me free to do some investigation of the Word on my own.

Book Description

Professional Ethics have become fashionable during the past two decades. This proliferation of various professional ethics bears witness to a need to introduce ethical concerns in the exercise of various professions. In order to answer this need, each profession attempts to develop its own code of "ethics". In this respect, questions such as the following arise: Are the various ethical problems faced during the exercise of a profession different in kind from those ethical problems faced in everyday life? Or, are they ethical problems of the same kind, requiring in addition knowledge of the specific area of human endeavour in order to tackle them? The book deals with these and similar questions and points to the need for a different approach to professional ethics.

Book Description

The book describes the state of the art in fundamental, applied and device physics of nanotubes, including fabrication, manipulation and characterization for device applications; optics of nanotubes; transport and electromechanical devices and fundamentals of theory for applications. This information is critical to the field of nanoscience since nanotubes have the potential to become a very significant electronic material for decades to come. The book will benefit all readers interested in the application of nanotubes, either in their theoretical foundations or in newly developed characterization tools that may enable practical device fabrication.

Applied Physics of Carbon Nanotubes: Fundamentals of Theory, Optics and Transport Devices

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Applied Physics of Carbon Nanotubes: Fundamentals of Theory, Optics and Transport Devices
Slava V Rotkin
Manufacturer: Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MV0QDS

Book Description

Set amid the exquisitely rendered landscape of the Rocky Mountains, LAST YEAR'S RIVER is the compelling story of the romance between a young New York debutante, sent off to Wyoming to bear a child, and a cowhand recently returned to the family ranch from the trenches of World War I. In graceful, spare prose, Allen Morris Jones reveals the thoughts of these two unlikely lovers, ultimately unfolding a love story as grand as the American West. With a rare eye for detail, Jones delivers a debut novel infused with an extraordinary sense of history, drama, and the West.

Customer Reviews:

Last Year's River.......2006-07-11

I was hoping for so much more than this book turned out to be. Enjoyable but nothing profound.

This year's downer.......2002-02-10

I enjoyed this book, but expected more from it than I got. The characters were well developed but seem to sleep walk through the story. There was no real heat between the main characters, they seemed to seek each other out for warmth and comfort not because they truly cared about each other, which is OK, I guess, if you're into that sort of thing. Some of the scenes in the book were brutal, like the West is (was) back then. But the characters seemed to hold back their emotions from everyone, including us.

Last Year's River: A+.......2002-01-04

Last Year's River contains an excellent use of contemporary thoughts blended with an honest and accurate representation of yesterday's 'pioneer' culture. Like Shakespeare's best works, this novel's base is one of love, drama, spite and hate and will warmly accomidate the interests of male and female readers alike. A real page turner based on feelings of personal involvement and attachment, by the reader, to the characters. This no doubt stems from excellent writing and an obvious concern for detail. The overall structure of the novel is meticulously broad-based that allows the reader to mentally expand and explore beyond the book's cover. A very fluid novel that I recommend to other readers looking for a change from the standard 'stamped and printed' novel. I am looking foreward to this new writer's next novel.

If You Enjoyed "All The Pretty Horses" Then Read This Book!.......2001-12-19

Well.
I heard this was a good book.
You heard that? You heard about Allen Morris Jones?
I heard.
And you think I should read it? You think it's worth my time?
I say it is.
Well. Cough.
All right then.

Does this writing style remind you of anyone? How about Cormac McCarthy, Kent Haruf, or Annie Proulx? "Last Year's River" is an impressive debut novel and one that will appeal to a large audience. It is full of amazing passages about the West (specifically Wyoming and the fringes of Yellowstone), dialogue that leaves you wanting (to throttle the various characters at one time or another), and thankful to live in present times (versus back when an out-of-wedlock pregnancy meant social death). My only criticism (and reason for the three-star rating) is that the plot is somewhat predictable -- especially with the flashbacks told in Virginia's voice at the beginning of the chapters. That said, this is a hugely readable story -- gritty, closely observed, and vivid. Add Allen Morris Jones to your list of serious western novelists!

This year's surprise.......2001-12-07

This really is a wonderful book, but not accurately described, I think, by the editorial reviews and book jacket, which lead you to believe that it is plot-driven. It's more of a character-driven and introspective novel with a richness of detail that is very evocative of the time and location. It was hard for me to believe that a man wrote this, inasmuch as the protagonist is a woman and his characterization resonated so profoundly with me. The careful attention to detail does not weigh down the storyline, though; this must have been very hard to accomplish! One side note (that shows my ignorance about this form of writing): why does the author not use quotation marks when writing dialogue? I found this a little disconcerting, but then it also contributed to the feeling that so much of the converstion mirrored the characters' internal dialogue(...)

Book Description

Great technological advances were made in almost every area of maritime military activity between 1793 and 1914. At the beginning of the nineteenth century the Napoleonic wars marked the zenith of fighting sail and wooden hulls. By the dawn of the twentieth century, heavily armed iron-hulled warships, powered by oil-fired burners and driven by screw propellers, pointed to the shape of things to come. Spencer Tucker's heavily illustrated narrative account of this crucial transition phase in naval history focuses on the evolution of ships and their ordnance. Tucker opens with a summary of technology, tactics, and strategy in the early 1800s, followed by accounts of the wars of the Napoleonic period and the factors that led to British naval supremacy. He then describes the revolutions that followed in naval ordnance, propulsion, iron hulls, and underwater warfare and reviews the naval situation before the First World War, showing how changes played out in the Sino-Japanese, Russo-Japanese, and Spanish-American Wars. He concludes with an explanation of the world naval balance on the eve of the World War I.

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The Dandy: Brummell to Beerbohm
Ellen Moers
Manufacturer: University of Nebraska Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | World | History | Subjects | Books
Social History | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books
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General | Criticism & Theory | History & Criticism | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0803281013

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THE DANDY: BRUMMELL TO BEERBOHM.
Ellen. Moers
Manufacturer: Secker & Warburg,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000SKXP0E

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The Dandy: Brummell to Beerbohm

Manufacturer: Viking Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IG82A6

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THE DANDY; BRUMMELL TO BEERBOHM

Manufacturer: Secker & Warburg London
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IB1RZS

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Danger! Icebergs Ahead!
Lynn Poole
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0394901215
Release Date: 1961-09-12

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