There are few questions more central to understanding the prehistory of our species than those regarding the institutionalization of social inequality. Social inequality is manifested in unequal access to goods, information, decision-making, and power. This structure is essential to higher orders of social organization and basic to the operation of more complex societies. An understanding of the transformation from relatively egalitarian societies to a hierarchical organization and socioeconomic stratification is fundamental to our knowledge about the human condition. In a follow-up to their 1995 book Foundations of Social Inequality, the Editors of this volume have compiled a new and comprehensive group of studies concerning these central questions. When and where does hierarchy appear in human society, and how does it operate? With numerous case studies from the Old and New World, spanning foraging societies to agricultural groups, and complex states, Pathways to Power provides key historical insights into current social and cultural questions.

This collection of essays was devised by the author to study how anthropology brought the study of complex societies and world systems in to its purview.

Pathways to Power introduces the domestic politics of South Asia in their broadest possible context, studying ongoing transformative social processes grounded in cultural forms. In doing so, it reveals the interplay between politics, cultural values, human security, and historical luck. While these are important correlations everywhere, nowhere are they more compelling than in South Asia where such dynamic interchanges loom large on a daily basis. Identity politics—not just of religion but also of caste, ethnicity, regionalism, and social class—infuses all aspects of social and political life in the sub-continent. Recognizing this complex interplay, this volume moves beyond conventional views of South Asian politics as it explicitly weaves the connections between history, culture, and social values into its examination of political life. South Asia is one of the world’s most important geopolitical areas and home to nearly one and a half billion people. Although many of the poorest people in the world live in this region, it is home also to a rapidly growing middle class wielding much economic power. India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, together the successor states to the British Indian Empire—the Raj—form the core of South Asia, along with two smaller states on its periphery: landlocked Nepal and the island state of Sri Lanka. Many factors bring together the disparate countries of the region into important engagements with one another, forming an uneasy regional entity. Contributions by: Arjun Guneratne, Christophe Jaffrelot, Pratyoush Onta, Haroun er Rashid, Seira Tamang, Shabnum Tejani, and Anita M. Weiss

High school students are more fully engaged in their education and postsecondary decision-making when they understand the "real life" connections between education and future careers. The Power and Promise of Pathways: How to Prepare All American Students for Career and Life Success, written by the National Center for College and Career Transitions (NC3T) founder Hans Meeder, offers educators a comprehensive look at secondary pathways from the early planning stage to full implementation along with key issues relating to the transformation a pathways initiative brings to an entire community. Topics are presented with current research and best practice examples: Defining career and life readiness and why this is important. Developing a comprehensive pathways system that addresses six key components. Building a career development system that deeply impacts how students and their parents plan for postsecondary education and careers. Integrating college, career, and life readiness into exciting and engaging pathway programs that also address critical workforce needs and opportunities. Collaborating meaningfully with employer and community organizations in order to form mutually beneficial partnerships that offer opportunities for students to experience the world beyond school. Integrating dynamic teaching and learning approaches into pathway programs so that students also learn important life and employability skills.Hans Meeder is president of the National Center for College and Career Transitions, an organization that provides coaching and technical assistance for schools and communities involved in launching a college and career pathways system. Hans, former Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education, is an internationally recognized speaker and author with expertise in pathways, school reform, career and technical education, and STEM education.

Pathways to a Smarter Power System studies different concepts within smart grids that are used in both industry and system regulators (e.g. distribution and transmission system operators) and research. This book covers these concepts from multiple perspectives and in multiple contexts, presenting detailed technical information on renewable energy systems, distributed generation and energy storage units, methods to activate the demand side of power systems, market structure needs, and advanced planning concepts and new operational requirements, specifically for power system protection, technological evolvements, and requirements regarding technology in ICT, power electronics and control areas. This book provides energy researchers and engineers with an indispensable guide on how to apply wider perspectives to the different technological and conceptual requirements of a smarter power system. Includes concepts regarding conceptual and technological needs and investment planning suggestions for smart grid enabling strategies Contains new electric power system operational concepts required by industry, along with R&D studies addressing new solutions to potential operational problems Covers pathways to smarter power systems from successful existing examples to expected short, medium and long-term possibilities

"A cross-national analysis of political recruitment and candidate selection in six Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay. Provides typology and theoretical insights for other countries in the region and around the world"--Provided by publisher.

Experts investigate the role of child development in promoting a culture of peace, reporting on research in biology, neuroscience, genetics, and psychology. Can more peaceful childhoods promote a culture of peace? Increasing evidence from a broad range of disciplines shows that how we raise our children affects the propensity for conflict and the potential for peace within a given community. In this book, experts from a range of disciplines examine the biological and social underpinnings of child development and the importance of strengthening families to build harmonious and equitable relations across generations. They explore the relevance to the pursuit of peace in the world, highlight directions for future research, and propose novel approaches to translate knowledge into concrete action. The contributors describe findings from research in biology, neuroscience, evolution, genetics, and psychology. They report empirical evidence on children living in violent conditions, resilience in youth, and successful interventions. Their contributions show that the creation of sustainable partnerships with government agencies, community leaders, policy makers, funders, and service providers is a key ingredient for success. Taken together, they suggest possible novel approaches to translate knowledge into concrete action.