Public Spending in the 20th Century: A Global Perspective

Book Description

This book discusses the changing role of government finance in the twentieth century. It documents the enormous increase in government spending throughout the 1900s across all industrialized countries. However, the authors find that the growth of the welfare state over the past thirty-five years has not brought about much additional social and economic welfare. This suggests that public spending in industrialized countries could be much smaller than today without sacrificing important policy objectives. For this to happen, governments need to refocus their role on setting the rules of the game, and the study provides a blueprint of institutional and expenditure policy reform.

Customer Reviews:

A "Must Read" for Anyone Interested in Fiscal Policy.......2003-09-04

For the first time in four decades comes a fiscal history aimed at the masses. "Vito Tanzi and Ludger Schuknecht have directed their analysis and their provocative hypotheses to a general audience, all the while detailing interesting numbers for the most part by comparing the average percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) attributed to government of seventeen wealthy countries -- the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, and so forth -- from the 1870s until today. Their finding that government's share in GDP has quadrupled in that time immediately catches the reader's attention, and they delve sufficiently deep into data of key subperiods to draw some interesting and unusual references. Unlike previous analysts, Tanzi and Schuknecht place a great deal of weight on ideological factors in conditioning public choice, but they are wholly aware of the more garden-variety factors such as "Baumol's cost disease" and Wagner's law."

"Probably the most intersting point made in the book is that although government's growth relative to the economy as a whole has been dramatic since the late Victorian era, the fraction of GDP absorbed by government has almost stopped growing since 1980 both in the United States and in other wealthy OECD countries."

Tanzi and Schuknecht "seem to be familiar with the entire range of the analytic literature, though none of the "techy" modelings underlying this literature are revealed in any detail. This sort of exposition is probably wise because such inclusions would cause the nontechnical reader's eyes to glaze over and are unnecessary for those already anointed. Tanzi and Schuknecht do develop the theoretical notions intuitively, however, which is more important, and their bibliography will be particularly helpful for the neophyte scholar. Their index is quite comprehensive, and both lay and professional readers might start their study there after a quick reading of the initial and final chapters."

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Independent Review, published by Independent Institute on March 22, 2003. The length of the article is 1159 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Public Spending in the 20th Century: a Global Perspective.(Book Review)
Author: Thomas E. Borcherding
Publication: Independent Review (Refereed)
Date: March 22, 2003
Publisher: Independent Institute
Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Page: 614(3)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Innovation is increasingly identified as the critical factor in ensuring economic competitiveness. Departments of state and quasi-governmental organizations in many countries including, Austria, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden and the UK, have issued reports and calls to action; but implementation will continue to be problematic unless the points made in this book are taken into account.Drawing on 350 in-depth interviews with senior managers, this book presents an original theory about the characteristics of managers in "good innovative organizations " and "poor innovative organizations ". It pays close attention to the attitudes, understandings, assumptions and interpretations of managers, who are often the ultimate decision-makers when it comes to innovation. The text is supported by real-life, internationally-known cases such as Hewlett-Packard, Zeneca and the BBC, as well as voluntary sector cases such as Oxfam. It is also enriched by substantial and highly revealing quotations from senior managers themselves.

Book Description

The main aim of this book is to summarize and synthesize our knowledge of the main features of the development and transmission of parasitic nematodes of vertebrates, and to place this information within the context of the modern classification of the nematodes. The volume is unique in its
comprehensive coverage, and includes nematode parasites of humans, domestic animals and wildlife, including fish. After an introductory chapter, the author systematically describes the biological characteristics of the 27 superfamilies of nematodes, followed by families, subfamilies and sometimes
genera. Altogether, some 561 particular species are reviewed (most individually) and approximately 2700 references cited. The book provides a unified zoological overview of development, life cycles and transmission, rather than emphasizing diseases caused by the parasites. It is a definitive
reference work for parasitologists, as well as for interest physicians, veterinarians, zoologist and wildlife and fisheries biologists.

Customer Reviews:

help.......2004-05-21

There has been a terrible error with this item....Paperback: 442 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.25 x 10.25 x 7.00
Publisher: Cornell Univ Pr; (February 1990)
ISBN: 0801496888

I can't be the only person this has happened to! The pages have been misbound and some are missing. At page #114 the book reverts back to page #83--leaving out what should be here. Then atp#114 it jumps to p#147 then ends on427.

There are some missing page as well.... Granted, I just realized this, but I had purchased the books well in advance of a study we had proposed. Now I am not sure how to proceed.....Please help. the pages that are there, are very helpful, but it is like living in the movie Groundhog Day when trying to key something out.....

Please contact me ASAP

Glen Buckner

Entomology Student Still Depends on Proven Text.......1998-04-14

As a student of Dr. Peckarsky's at Cornell University I used this book reguarly and with constant success. Keys are easy to use and difficult couplets always receive an illustration. While illustations lack a profession look, they are more than adequate to get the point across and this small flaw is more than compensated for with the quality of the keys. I still keep this book on my desk and consider it my first stop in any aquatic identification.

Book Description

On a muddy riverbank, a hungry dinosaur stalks her prey. From her hiding place in the nearby trees, she spies a giant, four-legged plant eater. At the right moment, she leaps from the trees and lunges at the slower dinosaur, tearing at its flanks with teeth and sharp claws.

It's an average day in southern Texas, 115 million years ago.

This dinosaur attack happened. We know for certain, because these two animals left their footprints in the mud -- and they're still there, hardened into stone for all to see. Dinosaur Hunt presents this dramatic event and brings the two combatants vividly back to life. It is the tale of a young Acrocanthosaurus, a predatory dinosaur similar to T. rex. As she grows she learns to hide, hunt, and survive in the eat-or-be-eaten age of dinosaurs.

The astounding, lifelike art of Karen Carr transports us to this strange and threatening world and re-creates one of the most gripping tales a few footprints ever told.

Animal Tracks of Texas (Animal Tracks Guides)

Average customer rating:

Animal Tracks of Texas (Animal Tracks Guides)
Ian Sheldon , and Tamara Hartson
Manufacturer: Lone Pine Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1551052482

Book Description

Concise descriptions of the animals and their tracks are combined with detailed drawings of the front and back prints, stride patterns and other important identifying aspects. Each animal is captured in accurate black-and-white illustrations, including pattern and print comparisons. A perfect guide for teachers, parents, hikers and urban adventurers.

Average customer rating:

Who Pooped in the Park? Big Bend
Gary D. Robson
Manufacturer: Farcountry Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
ASIN: 1560373881
Release Date: 2006-10-01

Product Description

This book is an ideal tool for teaching kids about animal behavior, diet, and scat and tracks identification-it's the perfect companion for in the car or in the field on your next trip to Big Bend National Park. Fun illustrations of the animals and their scat and tracks supplement the lively story, and a quick-reference chart at the back makes field identification a breeze.

Average customer rating:

Animal Tracks of Texas
Chris Stall
Manufacturer: Mountaineers Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

Natural History | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

Animal Tracks | Field Guides | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Read the book description before buying

Not at all what the title implies

Revealing

Simply useless.

Good read!

The SAS Mental Endurance Handbook
Christopher McNab
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Instructional | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
General | Martial Arts | Individual Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The SAS Tracking & Navigation Handbook

The SAS Self-Defense Handbook: A Complete Guide to Unarmed Combat Techniques

The SAS Combat Handbook (SAS)

Elite Forces Manual of Mental and Physical Endurance: How to Reach Your Physical and Mental Peak

SAS Training Manual

ASIN: 1585744425

Book Description

The essential guide to testing and improving mental agility and resilience from the world's most elite combat units.

Customer Reviews:

Read the book description before buying.......2006-04-11

I come from a background of enlisted and officer Marine Corps, working in psychiatric hospitals and counseling psychology. If you are looking for a book to strengthen your mental endurance, this ISN'T the book for you. While the book talks of improving one's mental agility, it instead talks of what some military special units do for training. General and vague, and certainly lacking do-it-yourself. Possibly the book "Art of Cross Examination" and "The Tactical Edge" are more helpful titles.

Not at all what the title implies.......2005-03-19

Potential buyers will very probably think that this book outlines a methodical training program for increasing one's mental toughness and readiness for battle or other lethal confrontations. It does no such thing. There is instead, a hodgepodge of information from military manuals about general military tactics, interspersed with a bunch of commentaries about how tough the training is for various elite military units. A serious student of military science will have seen most of this info before. I gave it two stars because a reader without any background will probably find it somewhat interesting. I haven't read any of McNab's other books, so I can't make a comparison. But if you're looking for a guide to the actual toughening process used by the SAS or any other high-speed unit, you won't find it here.

Revealing.......2002-08-21

Though this book can't really teach mental toughness, it does reveal much of interest such as: only about 15 per cent of US combat soldiers in WWII actually fired their weapons during encounters with the enemy; the best combat soldiers tend to come from stable family backgrounds; good combat soldiers generally have a higher IQ than those who buckle under fire. There is also some interesting stuff on counter-terrorist psychology and riot control. There is no other book like this on the market (I think), and it does give a detailed introduction into how the mind plays its part in winning wars. A good starting place before moving on to more academic studies.

Simply useless........2002-08-05

I've bought this book 'cause is one of the few talking about mental conditioning and training (this is also the reason for the second star on my rate!) involved in elite units. I've served the Italian Navy Spec. forces and i've passed a lot of "bad" days because i was very young and i didn't know anything about mental strenght...

NOTHING OF ALL THIS STUFF IS IN THIS BOOK! DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY, YOUR TIME AND YOUR ENERGY with this mixture of informations catched around.

A lot of commonsense sentences, big tactical mistakes, wrong names (COMBUSIN instead of COM.SUB.IN. !!)), useless relaxing techniques which make you like the fool of the village.

Search, study, experiment, try on your skin and then tell : "I'm ready to read a book to sharp my edge", and start the loop again, for all your life.

Simply another useless book.

Good read!.......2002-03-14

A good general introduction to the psychological training of soldiers for combat. Some interesting stuff on leadership and combat intelligence, and a solid profile of how realistic training prepares the mind for actual combat. Also a revealing chapter on counter-insurgency warfare which also looks into the personality of the typical terrorist as well as the character required for combatting insurgents. Recommended.

Average customer rating:

The SAS Mental Endurance Handbook
Christopher McNab
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000QYIYDA

Book Description

Do you commit apostrophe atrocities?

Are you tormented by the lie/lay conundrum?

Do you find yourself stuck between floaters and danglers?

Do your subjects and your verbs refuse to agree?

If so, you're not alone. Some of the most prominent professionals in TV broadcasting and at major newspapers and magazines-people who really should know better-are guilty of making all-too-common grammatical errors. In this delightfully amusing, clever guide, Thomas Parrish points out real-life grammar gaffes from top-notch publications such as the New York Times and the New Yorker to illustrate just how widespread these errors are. With red pen in hand, Parrish's fictional friend the Grouchy Grammarian leads the charge, examining the forty-seven most common mistakes in English and imparting the basics of good grammar with a charming mixture of fussiness and common sense. All of which makes The Grouchy Grammarian the most entertaining, accessible how-not-to guide you'll ever read.

Customer Reviews:

Grouchy Buyer.......2005-10-02

I thought this book would have been a fun-filled, easily understood education in grammar. Instead, it has turned out to be a waste of my time, money and will be useless to me as a teacher. Mr. Parrish's presentation of the subject is done in such a way that one has to read and reread to get what he is attempting to say. This is not a good resource tool for those in search of such...

A passionate guide on how-not-to write........2004-06-23

In "The Grouchy Grammarian," historian and long-time editor Thomas Parrish offers an easy-to-read, informational, entertaining and blithesome reference filled with advice on how to avoid 47 of the most common mistakes in English grammar.
Each topic is covered in a short chapter with a handy summary at the end for quick check-ups, and each is humorously presented through the point of view of the author's alter ego, The Grouch, a clever, witty, and very opinionated fictional curmudgeon who is a self-proclaimed guardian of grammar and calls errors "infelicities to be corrected."
Not only will The Grouch teach you the rules of grammar, usage and good writing, reinforcing his point by ruthlessly citing real-life examples of grammatical gaffes, careless errors, and basic mistakes taken from the blunders of some of today's best-known newspapers, magazines, and TV broadcasts, he will also make your learning experience enjoyable by having you laugh, chuckle or at least smile at his passionate remarks and his quixotic personality.
As a bonus, for those who wish to go deeper into the subject, the book includes a vast bibliography, and a thorough index for quick consultations.
Overall, this is an excellent resource that combines narrative and reference to help you learn or review the elements of precise writing that are most often forgotten, also throwing in for good measure some general and common sense advice on writing.
--Reviewed by Maritza Volmar

Like a well-furnished room..........2004-05-26

At one point, author Thomas Parrish's persnickety friend, the grammar hawk referred to in the title, likens a well-constructed sentence to an automobile engine. Others may prefer Parrish's own analogy of a well-furnished room. Automobile engines suggest a highly specialized knowledge, something intimidating for those without vocational training. Pretty much anybody can set up a room that looks nice, however, and enjoy the results. A well-furnished room is a room that has everything one might need while seeming empty and spacious. Likewise, good prose has the feel not of something dense or impenetrable, but of something easy to apprehend quickly and digest. Parrish assumes the persona of a reasonable go-between, someone moves easily between the grammatically-challenged and the scowling figure, imagined yet feared, of the lexical inquisitor. The book is entertaining and reduces a lot of the mystery of grammatical usage. I keep a copy of it, along with my Strunk & White, right on my desk.

We've Needed This Book For A Long Time.......2004-02-13

If you've ever struggled with the proper placement of an apostrophe, or the usage of "lie" or "lay", or the difference between "compliment" and "complement", this book is for you. Most English-speaking people can't speak English. Perhaps they slept through every single English class they took. Perhaps they just don't care. It's written in a very humorous, readable style that will keep you interested rather than putting you to sleep. And with all the examples of atrocious grammatical errors, it will show people just how ridiculous they sound when they can't be bothered to get it right. Every chapter has something in it that will at least get a giggle out of you. I found it especially amusing after reading his numerous bashings of editors and proofreaders, to find that his own proofreader apparently wasn't paying too much attention on page 131. This book should be required reading for anyone who speaks English and for those that only think they do. Read it, learn it, and apply it. If it doesn't actually make you smarter, at least it will make you sound smarter.

Teaches you how to speak and write clearly without mistakes........2003-04-27

Contrary to the title, this book is not some esoteric grammar book. It it a way to help you express your thoughts in writing and speech without redundancy or embarassing common errors. The writer is very reasonable and modern, not some old man just complaining about the demise of proper English, but someone truly attempting to help journalists, broadcatsers, and everyone avoid some of the simplest, but most common, mistakes made. You will also enjoy the humorous examples from the AP and New York Times.
P.S.: slightly short on correct examples or full explanations sometimes, but still a 5 STAR BOOK and a MUST-READ for anyone

Product Description

For many women of Egypt, their jewelry is their bank - they wear their wealth in their gold. But jewelry in Egypt is also more than mere assets, and its design and manufacture reveal a great array of styles and a high degree of skill and artistry. In this lavishly illustrated book, Azza Fahmy, herself a world-renowned designer of jewelry based on traditional motifs, lays before us an Aladdin's cave of jewelry made in all corners of Egypt over the last one hundred years, collected through her extensive travels throughout the country. From the farms and villages of the Nile Valley and Delta, from the oases of the Western Desert and the mountains and wadis of Sinai and the Eastern Desert, from Nubia in the south, and from the crowded traditional neighborhoods of Cairo, a cornucopia of gold and silver adornment is displayed each area with its own distinctive favored style. Personal seals have been widely employed, and there is even jewelry for special occasions, such as the exorcism of malignant spirits, and for animals. The author not only documents all these varieties and illustrates them with the finest examples, she also describes the techniques and skills involved in their production and the materials used, and recounts her own journey of learning as she apprenticed with the leading master jewelers to become the best known jeweler in Egypt. The author's work is worn by world leaders, royalty, and connoisseurs of jewelry around the globe.

Customer Reviews:

Both history and jewelry-making insights make for an outstanding survey........2007-08-09

ENCHANTED JEWELRY OF EGYPT: THE TRADITIONAL ART AND CRAFT comes in an oversized gorgeous hardcover with slipcase and is a top pick for any college-level or in-depth specialty collection focusing on either world jewelry in general or Egyptian history, culture and the arts in particular. The author is a designer of jewelry based on traditional motifs and covers jewelry made throughout Egypt over the last hundred years, using her own collection and travels to supplement history and research. Both history and jewelry-making insights make for an outstanding survey.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

SUPERB BOOK !! .......2007-06-06

Amazing book that covers the entire region, explaining through the author's personal experience and data collected over the last 40 years why jewellery in Egypt varied from one area to the other, and how the location, environmental conditions and traditions affected the design and the choice of material. Stunning images in the book as well as interesting information about jewellery in Egypt over the past century.

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