Public Policy Books

Chesapeake Bay Blues, a book that addresses the Bay as a political problem and reveals how the political process has worked against the interests of science, the public, and environmental advocates all at once. Author Howard Ernst provides a political roadmap for the future, suggesting how a different course of policy action is needed to "Save the Bay."[]

This book is a must-read for those concerned about the Chesapeake Bay and those interested in environmental politics. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent textbook for those looking to understand more about children ages 0-5yrs. It's not complicated by technical jargon; this text gets right to the point. The author, Karen Stephens, has skillfully crafted a book that deals with the five areas of development in a practical way. The book provides the reader with a well-rounded experience of what educators of young children need to know when working in early care. I can only hope that the publishers and authors update the material, so as to include some newer advances within the Early Care and Education field. Other than that, the book is simply excellent.

This book is very user friendly and just right for high school students thinking about child care as a profession. The workbook is a must! It includes study guides and activities.

This text gives a very practical yet often personal approach to understanding behaviors.It is not only an asset to the student in the field of early childhood education but also to parents.It looks at the professional data and how behaviors play out in the social-emotional world of a child. Super.

This book has some excellent strategies for early childhood educators when working with behaviorial challenges. It's practical and something you can use immediately. I would recommend it if you work with children.

Written by Gabe T. Wang (Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology at William Paterson University), China and the Taiwan Issue: Impending War at Taiwan Strait is a critical examination of the modern political realities confronted by China, Taiwan, and the United States. The tensions between China and the independent Taiwan remain a persistent threat of instability in the region; China and the Taiwan Issue examines historical, cultural, and practical factors surrounding the issue and offers recommendations for peaceful solutions to potential conflict. Especially recommended reading for students of political science and foreign relations with China and Taiwan.

The most unique characteristic of this book is its comprehensive perspective on the Taiwan issue. After an introduction of the Taiwan issue in Chapter One, Chapter Two provided its readers with a concise but complete history of modern China, which is most fundamental in understanding the Chinese society and psychology about the internal and international politics. This brief history indicates why the Chinese are so anxious about getting Taiwan back. Then, Chapter Three provided the audience with a brief history of Taiwan, which informs the audience why many people in Taiwan want to become independent and why the Taiwan issue is so complicated. Chapter Four made a comparison of the socioeconomic development in both mainland China and Taiwan. The author seems to see more similarities than differences between the Taiwan Strait. This is very interesting and helpful, for most people are used to the Cold War stereotypes. Chapter Five described the U.S. involvement of the United States in the Taiwan issue and how the international politics influenced the United States decisions. It provides more information from the less known side of China. Chapter Six gave an account of the political relations between China and Taiwan with the involvement of the United States. Finally, Chapter Seven provides the author's analyses of the tri-part interactions between China and Taiwan as well as the United States. It also provided the readers with options for each of the three parties involved.

Compared with many books about Taiwan issue, this book is obviously less partial and has painted a more complete picture of the issue. It is less influenced by the prevailing and popular international politic ideologies; instead, it pays much more attention to the concerns and fundamental changes in both China and Taiwan. The book focuses on or intended to discuss about the Taiwan issue; however, it is also a good book to understand China, its politics, social problems, anxieties, the social and economic developments. It is a must read book for those who sincerely want to understand China. Although its subtitle is Impending War at Taiwan Strait, it actually does not talk about war.

This is an excellent compilation of US/ SINO relations. Kennedy weaves divergent perspectives to give the reader a well rounded POV into the history and future of the US's relationship with the middle kingdom.

Simply outstanding. This should be required reading for any student of contemporary US foreign affairs or US-China relations. I've ready a lot of mediocre books on the subject over the years, but this is a keeper. Well-organized, nicely woven themes.

Mr. Hughes presents the reader with an insightful analysis of Chinese economics and its foreign relations. A very worthwhile read!

"China's Economic Challenge : Smashing the Iron Rice Bowl" takes a modern look at China, its economy, and the effects of the outside world on China. The author, Neil Hughes, obviously is an expert. He worked at the World Bank for over 20 years and has a Masters degree from Tuft University's prestigious Fletcher School.
As a non-academic, I thought this book would go way over my head. I picked it up because I am so interested in China that I read anything I can find on the subject. "China's Economic Challenge : Smashing the Iron Rice Bowl" is by far the best book that I've read on the state of modern China. The book is smart enough for academics and banking/ economics professionals, but interesting and well written enough for a lay person to understand and enjoy.
I highly recommend this book. Actually, I don't know how any person working in the international business world can get away with not reading this great book.

Dr. Selvoy Fillerup has written an outstanding critique of the current healthcare crisis in the United States, giving valuable data as to the specifics of the crisis and clear and convincing guidelines regarding several possible ways out of the morass we are in. His book is very readable and I recommend it highly. In fact, my wife and I feel so strongly that every senator and congressperson should read it that we are sending copies to both of our senators and our congresswoman.

Chronic Crisis describes the healthcare systems of 10 nations in the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)-- all of which are less expensive than the US and provide better health outcomes. Dr. Selvoy Fillerup's analysis identifies four principles shared by these effective systems and charts a path for the US to get there. His framework would preserve the politically popular private healthcare system and expanded public healthcare. I urge all Americans to read this book and spread the word that there is a way out of our dysfunctional, expensive, unfair system. We need to educate our public officials that there are other options besides Canada and the British systems and then demand comprehensive healthcare reform based on proven national systems that work.

"Cities and the Health of the Public" provides an excellent overview of urban health in the 21st century . This book is extremely well organized and accessible to a broad range of people, including interested readers, students and professionals of urban health (activists, researchers and service providers). The editors introduce a comprehensive framework for the study of urban health and illustrate the framework through applications to real world examples shared by scholars in the field of urban health. Perhaps most valuable is the understanding shared by the editors and contributors to this volume that global and national social, economic and political factors (e.g., poverty, availability of affordable housing and fresh, healthy food) are important influences on urban health. As a faculty member in a program with an undergraduate and Masters in Public Health program focusing on urban health and social justice, I look forward to using this book as a teaching tool and as a tool to advocate for social justice.

Concise, timely and well written book highlighting the nascent field of urban health. Worthwhile for health professionals and urban planners alike.

A decade or so ago the authors of Civic Revolutionaries: Igniting the Passion for Change in America's Communities decided to bring the art of collaboration to the field of economic development. They even called their new firm "Collaborative Economics, Inc." to the amusement of many hard core industrial recruiters. This book is a result of their experience coupled with a sense of history and an idealism that is rare to find in a profession built on the principals of competitiveness.

The numerous examples of collaboration described by the authors go significantly beyond the details of the efforts. They are carefully woven into the Nation's revolutionary history by appropriate quotations and references to the role of collaboration as promoted by the authors of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as well as other notables in the "American Experience."

In addition, the illustrative examples drawn from the author's extensive and practical field experience working with collaborative efforts in all sections of the Nation over the past ten years are made particularly useful by describing not only results but discussing in detail successful collaborative processes that can be endlessly replicated in a variety of settings as well.

Due credit is given throughout the book to their mentor, John W. Gardner, through carefully selected and placed quotations and references. For example, Gardner is quoted in the introduction as saying "...the crucial task is to design a society (and institutions) capable of continuous change, continuous renewal and continuous responsiveness," a theme that runs throughout the book.

Henton, Melville and Walesh are optimistic about the future of collaboration and provide compelling evidence of its value in continuing the process of "dialog" which is the heart of the "American Experience." This book will be useful to anyone seeking to improve his or her community through collaboration. It will also be interesting for those with a more philosophic interest in the subject. It might even be worth the attention of hard core industrial recruiters.

In Grassroots Leaders for a New Economy (1997), the authors of Civic Revolutionaries identified a new type of leadership that has been emerging in regions that have been in the forefront of dealing with the problems and opportunities brought about by the new economy. They called these leaders "civic entrepreneurs." In Civic Revolutionaries: Igniting the Passion for Change in America's Communities, the authors have given us a compelling reason why this leadership model is essential in enabling regions to compete and prosper in the new economy.
By analyzing the complex problems that regions are confronted with today through the lens of the Federalist Papers and the debates between and among our nation's founders, they paint a picture that clearly demonstrates that traditional leadership is no more adequate today than it was in 1776. The authors have brilliantly made their case for regional stewardship taking the place of the traditional, top-down, command and control leadership that still persists in myriad communities throughout the United States. By focusing on the many tensions that exist within regions, such as the conflict between trust and accountability; change and continuity; individual rights and community, they leave little doubt that times have changed and the our concept of leadership must change as well.
I would recommend this book to anyone that is frustrated with the gridlock and inertia that still exists in many regions. A solution is at hand and it's called regional stewardship.

This book is not for every one, but it has plenty to offer those who think they might be interested in the history of urban reform in a Chinese provincial capital. Chengdu lies in western Sichuan province, a remote but populous part of China. Nestled at the feet of mountains that rise in the west to the Tibetan plateau, Chengdu is a beautiful and fascinating city with a long and rich history. This book was written for and should prove to be of primary interest to scholars, but it should also appeal to serious travelers who plan to visit Chengdu (or have already visited) this rewarding spot off of the usual tourist itinerary. Civilizing Chengdu focuses on efforts to administer and reform the city in the half century prior to the founding of the People's Republic of China. It is scrupulously researched but written in an accessible style. Scholars interested in modern Chinese history have recently begun to focus on developments in urban areas, and there have been a number of excellent works published over the last few years that have dealt with different urban historical topics. Most of these books have concentrated on the major cities of eastern China, such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing. This book begins to address the need for work on the many smaller cities scattered across the country.

In "Civilizing Chengdu", Kristin Stapleton discusses the reforms that took place between 1895-1937 in the capital city of Sichuan province. During this time Sichuan aided in the downfall of a two thousand year old dynastic system and witnessed the rise of warlordism.

Throughout much of Chinese history the management of cities took a backseat to the much more populated rural areas. However, by the late 1800's the increase in urban inhabitants, the influence of European ideas, and the numerous colonial cities scattered throughout East and Southeast Asia at this time gave rise to a new appreciation for urban management.

The book examines two urban reform programs: The first was based on the 'New Policies' of the late Qing period and the second was the city administration movement of the 1920's and early 1930's.

Before discussing these two reform eras, Stapleton gives a description of Chengdu's physical layout, social organization, status as a provincial capital, and methods of administrative rule in the late Qing period.

The book then moves on to discuss the reforms, especially police reform. Traditionally in China soldiers carried out police functions such as the guarding of important buildings and other structures and maintaining the peace at the local level. But since it was felt that these duties obstructed the modernization of the army, many believed that a modern police system was needed.

At the forefront of this movement was Zhou Shanpei. In 1899, Zhou had visited Tokyo for the first time and had become an admirer of its orderly and productive nature. Between 1902 and 1912 Zhou served six Sichuan governor-generals in Chengdu. During 1902 he had helped to establish a police administration. Zhou became head of the police bureau in 1906. Besides keeping order in the city, the police, under Zhou set out to transform social habits and customs. Theaters and brothels were brought under tighter control and workhouses for unemployed vagrants, beggars and lawbreakers were founded (p.99). Also vocational training for orphans were established. (For these and other social programs carried out under Zhou Shanpei's tenure as head of the police bureau see pp. 125-38). In 1907 Zhou Shanpei was appointed the superintendent of economic development in Sichuan province. Through this role he continued to have influence on urban reforms until 1911.

Sichuan, in 1911, saw the escalation of tensions over the central government's decision to nationalize the building of railroads. Originally, each province had control over railroad construction and it was considered a matter of local autonomy. However, local corruption and unwise investments (realized during the Shanghai stock market crisis of 1910)caused the central authorities to usurp local control. This was the catalyst that set in motion the downfall of the Qing dynasty and with it came the end of the first set of urban reform in Chengdu.

The immediate post- revolutionary period brought a different political atmosphere to Chengdu. No effective government replaced the fallen Qing bureaucracy. In this vacuum of authority, secret societies, such as the Gelaohui (Society of Elders and Brothers)came to the fore along with a group of prominent reform minded scholars called the 'Five Elders and Seven Sages' (Wu lao qi xian) and activists associated with the foreign community. Secret societies had been marginalized and suppressed during imperial rule, but during the early 1900's they witnessed substantial growth in membership and popularity (also see Stapleton, "Urban Politics in an Age of 'Secret Societies': The Cases of Shanghai and Chengdu", in Republican China, vol. 22, no. 1 (Nov.), pp. 23-63). The police force continued to exist but their control over community affairs was greatly negated by these new social forces.

It was in this strained and fragmented political atmosphere that warlordism was able to develop. "Between 1917 and 1935 Sichuan's regional armies engaged in hundreds of small and large scale wars, breaking the province up into occupation zones that grew and shrank and changed hands frequently"(p. 184). Stapleton shows how in this environment the second wave of urban reform in Chengdu attempted to take place.

These reforms began with General Yang Sen's arrival in Chengdu in 1924. Yang controlled Chengdu for only sixteen months before being chased out of the city by his rivals in the summer of 1925. Stapleton describes how Yang Sen's policies during this time did not take into consideration "local politics" (p. 219). Yang and his colleaques knew about the reform that had transformed coastal cities like Shanghai, and were eager to bring these techniques to Sichuan. However, through his attempt to remake Chengdu, Yang's authoritarian style isolated a large segment of the city's population (see chapter 7).

The post-Yang Sen city administration attempted a more conciliatory policy, bringing the city's more conservative elites back into the fold. This period (late 1920's- early 1930's) saw "the revival of many of the administrative institutions and techniques established by Zhou Shanpei during the New Policies era" (pp. 246- 47).

The second attempt at urban reform reached its apex in 1934. During this time General Liu Xiang reorganized Chengdu's police force, also taking many ideas for its administration from Zhou Shanpei's reform efforts. Stapleton, like Frederic Wakeman in "Policing Shanghai, 1927- 1937"(1995) and Stephen MacKinnon in "Police Reform in Late Ch'ing Chihli" (Ch'ing-shih Wen-t'i, vol.3, no. 4 1975) believes that the police reforms during the 'New Policies' era was "one of the most significant political events in twentieth- century Chinese history" (p. 247).

It is refreshing to see such a thorough study of a city in China's hinterland during the late Qing and early Republican era (add to this Wang Di's, "Street Culture in Chengdu", 2003) after so many studies have been done on coastal cities of this period. Because of the dearth of secondary sources in English, research on inland provinces and cities make for an exciting new path in the study of late Qing and early Republican history.