San Antonio College Library

A comprehensive yet concise comparative introduction to the leading nations of South Asia, now thoroughly updated with recent events.

"This book breaks new ground by systematically examining China's capitalist transformation through several comparative lenses. The great majority of research on China to date has consisted of single-country studies. This is the result of the methodological demands of studying China and a sense of the country's distinctiveness due to its grand size and long history. The moniker Middle Kingdom, a direct translation of the Chinese-language word for China,...

"More than 630 million Chinese have escaped poverty since the 1980s, reducing the fraction remaining from 82 to 10 percent of the population. This astonishing decline in poverty, the largest in history, coincided with the rapid growth of a private enterprise economy. Yet private enterprise in China emerged in spite of impediments set up by the Chinese government. How did private enterprise overcome these initial obstacles to become the engine of China's...

"Dawisha traces the history of the Iraqi state from its inception in 1921 following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and up to the present day. He demonstrates how from the very beginning Iraq's ruling elites sought to unify this ethnically diverse and politically explosive society by developing state governance, fostering democratic institutions, and forging a national identity. Dawisha, who was born and raised in Iraq, gives rare insight into...

The Encyclopedia of Politics and Religion traces the roots of the relationship between politics and religion from antiquity to today, revealing how it has shaped public discourse, social attitudes, collective action and national and international policy, particularly during the past two centuries.

A collection of writings by Fang Lizhi, the world-renowned Chinese astrophysicist and human rights activist.

"At last! A new edition of the economics book that won't put you to sleep. In fact, you won't be able to put this bestseller down. In our challenging economic climate, this perennial favorite of students and general readers is more than a good read, it's a necessary investment--with a blessedly sure rate of return. This revised and updated edition includes commentary on hot topics such as automation, trade, income inequality, and America's rising...

Describes all aspects of Saudi Arabia, including its government, economy, society, and culture, as well as its role in the Middle East and its position internationally.

"Iran feels isolated and different from other countries. It is a nation or a people that wish to claim allegiance both to the ancient heritage of Persia and to its identity as a Shiite state in the midst of a hostile Arab and Sunni environment. Iranians are also more open to the outside world than any other Muslim people: a large part of its population is westernized or aspires to the 'Western way of life.' They are proud of their rich culture and...