As demonstrations at meetings of world economic leaders have dramatically shown, the "globalization" of the world economy is now a subject of heated political debate. Generally supported for its positive benefits by neoliberals and attacked for its negative repercussions by the left, it is a multifaceted phenomenon, and even the term is much in dispute as both academic experts and political activists tend to define it in ways that best support their own biases. In this book, Gavin Kitching is not interested so much in providing new information about globalization as an economic and social process as he is in clarifying how globalization is to be understood and evaluated as a "good" or "bad" thing. Central to his argument is that a proper evaluation requires historical self-awareness, both of the historical background of globalization itself and of the historical origins of the very norms by which such evaluations are made. Unusual for a book written from a leftist perspective, Seeking Social Justice Through Globalization argues that those who care for social justice should seek more globalization, not try to prevent its development or roll it back. In his "modified Ricardian" analysis, Kitching warns especially about the constraints that the inherited discourse of economic and cultural nationalism places on the full potential of globalization to improve the welfare of poor people, which is his principal concern.

A Bicycle Without A Chain is the story of David Kingsley's ill-fated pursuit of the American dream. As he powerfully pedals up Mount Success, chasing after athletic fame and material prosperity, the chain suddenly snaps. Denied a place in society that he once imagined was easily attainable, Kingsley suddenly finds his life path unexpectedly circuitous. Over the course of several years he surrenders his veil of invincibility, a foolish posturing that had stripped him of his humanity. He manages to come to terms with his vulnerability as he seeks to understand the complicated nature of evil. In time he learns to transform his suffering into grace. In becoming a more compassionate, loving person, he is reunited with his soul. While cultivating the still point of his inner garden, Kingsley reaches ever-higher levels of consciousness and the heartfelt conviction that each human being is a very small part of a powerful, sacred energy. No longer obsessed with appearing to be a "winner," he effortlessly coasts into the moment with his heart wide open, living as if perched on the doorstep of eternity. Can a person find a better way of experiencing the gifts available to everyone?

"This title was first published in 2003. In this collection of essays, Gavin Kitching argues that the whole project of a "science of society" is radically misconceived - the pursuit of an objective that would not be desirable even if it was possible, but which is (fortunately) impossible. In the early essays, dating from the 1980s, Kitching still considers himself a "social scientist" seeking, in Wittgenstein's philosophy, a sound philosophical "basis" for this science. By the last essays in the collection he has become convinced that the pursuit of such a "basis" is a chimera, and that while the forming and expression of well informed opinions on social and political matters is one of the most important activities in which human beings can engage, doing that in the best and most persuasive possible way requires one to abandon any pretence of being a scientist. Kitching concludes with a very different understanding of Wittgenstein's philosophy to the one with which he began; an understanding which shows Wittgenstein to have been one of the most revolutionary and liberating thinkers of all time."--Provided by publisher.

This work offers an introduction to the biology of the unique organisms that inhabit rocky coastal ecosystems. Using examples from all over the world, the book serves as an ideal resource for instruction, either in the field or lecture hall. It describes the physical factors that affect organisms, the biology of the animals and plants that live on the shore, the factors that control them, and the communities they form. The authors provide examples of observations and experiments that can be conducted either in the lab, or on-site. They also address key problems of pollution and conservation in the context of their effects on biodiversity. The work will interest all students of marine biology, along with professional marine biologists and amateur naturalists.

First published in 1983. Socialism was generally unpopular in Britain in the 1980s. The Left needed new ideas and fresh approaches if it was ever to escape its isolation from the mainstream of political and cultural life. Rethinking Socialism brought such a perspective to socialist thought and practice in Britain. Gavin Kitching contended that the unpopularity of the Left was not due primarily to the pernicious influence of the press and media, as many socialists argued, but reflected fundamental changes in the British social structure and, above all, the simple incredibility and irrelevance of many socialist beliefs and policies. He also claims that socialism will continue to be unpopular so long as it is divorced from the values and concerns of the majority of British people. Kitching shows how basic and obvious facts about Britain, and other advanced capitalist countries, were ignored or wished away, and how crucial lessons of the Soviet and East European experience had not been learnt. He argues that radical politics in Britain both reflected and reinforced a ‘ghetto’ mentality bred by the Left’s political and intellectual isolation. The book is more than just a critique, however; it presented as well a more relevant and popular alternative strategy for the Left. This focused on extending and deepening political and economic democracy, and aimed to preserve the benefits which people had derived from capitalism and parliamentary democracy while extending them and thus transforming the system that conferred them.

In this fascinating study, Carolyn Kitching examines the role which Britain played at the Geneva Disarmament Conference, an event which marked a watershed in inter-war international relations. Failure to reach agreement in Geneva hastened the collapse of the Treaty of Versailles, and gave the green light for German re-armament. Britain was arguably the only Power capable of mediating between conflicting French and German demands over the Treaty's disarmament clauses, and this analysis reveals that the traditional interpretation of British policy at the conference needs to be drastically revised.

This title was first published in 2003. In this collection of essays, Gavin Kitching argues that the whole project of a "science of society" is radically misconceived - the pursuit of an objective that would not be desirable even if it was possible, but which is (fortunately) impossible. In the early essays, dating from the 1980s, Kitching still considers himself a "social scientist" seeking, in Wittgenstein's philosophy, a sound philosophical "basis" for this science. By the last essays in the collection he has become convinced that the pursuit of such a "basis" is a chimera, and that while the forming and expression of well informed opinions on social and political matters is one of the most important activities in which human beings can engage, doing that in the best and most persuasive possible way requires one to abandon any pretence of being a scientist. Kitching concludes with a very different understanding of Wittgenstein's philosophy to the one with which he began; an understanding which shows Wittgenstein to have been one of the most revolutionary and liberating thinkers of all time.

A stunning and evocative collection of images documenting the final years of steam locomotives on the railways of China.