Introduction to Comparative Politics provides students with carefully selected readings that familiarize them with substantive issues and the methodological tools found within comparative politics, a major subfield of political science. The readings introduce students to philosophical and methodological traditions used to explain political phenomena, as well as standard analyses of power, authority, democracy, and authoritarianism. Students learn how analytical methods can provide insight into diverging patterns of domination and conflict within and between states. Additional readings explore various sources of the growing conflict and disorder within and between states and major challenges to the future of states and their citizens. Each chapter includes post-reading questions to stimulate critical thought, reflection, and lively discussion. Introduction to Comparative Politics provides students with a sampling of key themes and methods used to uncover important insights regarding political issues. The text is ideal for courses and programs in political science.

Throughout this concise, accessible book, readers will quickly learn the fundamental concepts of managerial finance while discovering how things really work. The material is explained using an intuitive theoretical context, providing them with a richer understanding of the material and better insights into solving problems. Finance concepts are covered in a common sense manner and the use of mathematical jargon is minimized. The unifying theme for the book is the concept of valuation since it is the most fundamental concept in finance. The authors define and discuss value in terms of net present value (NPV).

Individuals do not always perform to their full capability on cognitive tasks. When this occurs, the usual explanation is that the individual was not properly motivated. But this begs the important question: How and why does motivation interact with and influence cognitive processing and the control processes that regulate it? What are the underlying mechanisms that govern such interactions? Motivation has been an important component of psychology and neuroscience throughout the history of the field, but has recently been rejuvenated by rapidly accelerating research interest in the nature of motivation-cognition interactions, particularly as they impact control processes and goal-directed behavior. This volume provides an up-to-date snapshot of the state of research in this exciting, expanding area. The contributors to the volume are internationally-renowned researchers that lead the field in conducting groundbreaking studies. Moreover, they represent a variety of research perspectives and traditions: cognitive psychology and neuroscience, animal learning, social, affective, and personality psychology, and development, lifespan, and aging studies. This book summarizes our current state of understanding of the relationship between motivation and cognitive control, and serves as an essential reference for both students and researchers.

This handbook begins with the history of Supply Chain (SC) Engineering, it goes on to explain how the SC is connected today, and rounds out with future trends. The overall merit of the book is that it introduces a framework similar to sundial that allows an organization to determine where their company may fall on the SC Technology Scale. The book will describe those who are using more historic technologies, companies that are using current collaboration tools for connecting their SC to other global SCs, and the SCs that are moving more towards cutting edge technologies. This book will be a handbook for practitioners, a teaching resource for academics, and a guide for military contractors. Some figures in the eBook will be in color. Presents a decision model for choosing the best Supply Chain Engineering (SCE) strategies for Service and Manufacturing Operations with respect to Industrial Engineering and Operations Research techniques Offers an economic comparison model for evaluating SCE strategies for manufacturing outsourcing as opposed to keeping operations in-house Demonstrates how to integrate automation techniques such as RFID into planning and distribution operations Provides case studies of SC inventory reductions using automation from AIT and RFID research Covers planning and scheduling, as well as transportation and SC theory and problems