In this analysis of contemporary society, Michael Karlberg puts forward the thesis that our present 'culture of contest' is both socially unjust and ecologically unsustainable and that the surrounding 'culture of protest' is an inadequate response to the social and ecological problems it generates. The development of non-adversarial structures and practices is imperative.

ABSTRACT The equality of women and men is a prerequisite for peace. Social development interventions over recent decades have sought to achieve equality primarily by educating and liberating women from the shackles of customs and paradigms that serve to maintain gender inequality. It is increasingly recognized that due attention must be given to men’s essential role in the process, to men’s education and liberation. In East Timor the latter process has begun, albeit on a small scale. This study looks at ways to further advance this process. Three and a half years in East Timor provided the opportunity to engage in applied research using the methodology of ethnography. I gathered data using three main techniques: semi-structured interviews with more gender-equitable men, and with women and men occupied with the engagement of East Timorese men in gender equality; observation and direct participation within a wide range of settings from informal encounters on local beaches to high-level meetings with the president and government ministers; and analysis of pertinent primary and secondary documents. I identified that a number of interventions are being applied to the issue of engaging East Timorese men in gender equality, including use of: workshops and trainings; the performing arts; campaigns and the mass media; role-modeling; and the techniques of popular education, with varying levels of success. I found that the Association of Men Against Violence and its members are key players in the advancement of this process, and that they work closely with feminist organizations within East Timor. While I drew on much secular theory and practice in the course of this study, my personal beliefs and practices are guided by the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. The Bahá’í teachings include much that is relevant to this study and thus I have drawn on and presented Bahá’í perspectives and approaches to such things as equality and men’s role in its establishment; social and economic development; and the culture of contest, and have 3 drawn on Bahá’í principles in the discussion of results; and subsequently in drawing my conclusions. By exploring the implications of interventions implemented in other parts of the world, and of theory pertaining to social development; masculinities; and a culture of contest, I identified that interventions in East Timor to engage men in gender equality would be strengthened by giving due consideration to the following: developing participants’ ability to communicate; providing opportunity for and developing the capacity of participants to critically reflect on their environment; addressing participants as whole human beings and members of one human race; and actively engaging participants in the development and ownership of knowledge. I concluded that three areas requiring immediate attention include the development of evaluation tools and processes, and the systematic documentation and sharing of learning, as well as research into masculinities in an East Timorese context.

By taking seriously Hazlitt's own classification of these articles as "political essays," and by relocating them within the turbulent public debates of the late Regency, Robert Keith Lapp discovers in them an indispensable critique of Coleridge's conservative response to the post-Waterloo crisis known as the "Distresses of the Country.""--BOOK JACKET.

Drawing from the wealth of academic literature about the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) written over the last two decades, this book consolidates and recognizes the ESC's relevance in academia by analysing its contribution to different fields of study. The book brings together leading ESC scholars from across disciplines and from across the globe to reflect on the intersection between their academic fields of study and the ESC by answering the question: what has the ESC contributed to academia? The book also draws from fields rarely associated with the ESC, such as Law, Business and Research Methodologies, to demonstrate the contest's broad utility in research, pedagogy and in practice. Given its interdisciplinary approach, this volume will be of interest to scholars and students working in cultural, media, and music studies, as well as those interested in the intersections between these areas and politics, law, education, pedagogy, and history.

Argues that competition is inherently destructive and that competitive behavior is culturally induced, counter-productive, and causes anxiety, selfishness, self-doubt, and poor communication.