This book examines whether it is possible to support the development of generalised trust through public action and education. It analyses political efforts in Palermo to break the Mafia's territorial and mental control and to turn a tradition of non-co-operation and distrust into trust and co-operation.  Meer

Provides a critical investigation of the ‘global justice movement’. Drawing upon three case studies – a peasant farmers’ network, a trade union network, and the social forum process – the authors argue that the role of key geographical concepts of space, place and scale are crucial to an understanding of the operational dynamics of these networks.  Meer

Can groups effectively link citizens to political institutions and policy processes? Are groups an antidote to emerging democratic deficits? This book will prompt senior students, researchers and seasoned scholars to think critically about the claim that groups can contribute to repairing democratic deficits.  Meer

This book brings together a distinguished panel of leading and emerging scholars in the field, and provides a critical assessment of the current role of trade unions in society.  Meer

Explores the role of trade unions as products of, and agents for, democracy. -- .  Meer

Provides a critical investigation of the ‘global justice movement’. Drawing upon three case studies – a peasant farmers’ network, a trade union network, and the social forum process – the authors argue that the role of key geographical concepts of space, place and scale are crucial to an understanding of the operational dynamics of these networks.  Meer

This book addresses the growing gap between policy makers and (organised) citizens, and attempts by international organisations to implement a multi-stakeholder approach largely facilitated by the internet.  Meer

Can terrorism and state violence cause democratic breakdown? Although the origins of violence have been studied, only rarely are its consequences. In this study of Uruguay, Spain and Peru, Holmes claims that to understand the consequences of violence on democratic stabilty, terrorism and state responses to terrorism must be studies together.  Meer

Using Romania as a case study, this book develops a fresh perspective on the transition from communism to capitalism by arguing that transition and democratisation studies should turn their attention towards processes of illusion formation and disillusionment as key to understanding the shift from one ideological framework to another.  Meer

The core of this book is a systematic treatment of the historic transformation of the West from monarchy to democracy. Revisionist in nature, it reaches the conclusion that monarchy is a lesser evil than democracy, but outlines deficiencies in both.  Meer