The economic crisis of 2008–2009 signaled the end of the Post-Washington Consensus on restricting the role of the state in economic and development policy. Since then, state ownership and state intervention have increased worldwide. This volume offers a comparative analysis of the evolution of direct state intervention in the economy through state-owned companies in Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Singapore, and Slovenia. Each case study includes substantial explanations of historical, cultural, and institutional contexts. All the contributors point to the complex nature of the current revival in state economic interventions. The few models that are successful cannot hide the potential problems of excessive state intervention, linked to high levels of moral hazard. State-owned enterprises are primary tools of market and price manipulation for political purposes. They can be used outright for rent seeking. Yet state-owned enterprises can also play important roles in prestigious national initiatives, like major public works or high-profile social and sports events. The authors conclude that after the uniform application of democratic market economic principles, the 2000s witnessed a path-dependent departure from standard economic and political operating procedures in developed countries.

"In his search to transcend the boundaries of our conceived physical reality and deepen his own practice in the martial arts, Jim McMillan embarked on an unprecedented journey to first find an obscure teacher to help guide him towards an unknown destination; and second to understand the possibilities that are open to anyone with the desire and fortitude to foster a practice while recognizing the limitations being the first Western student to study a lost art engendered. This journey is completely unique and the path veers across the martial arts, ancient healing techniques, and mysticism. Jim McMillan encounters and describes these experiences with such humility and gratitude that their incredible nature feels completely appropriate in this world and honestly possible for individuals with the authentic desire to eclipse the confines of preconceived limitations. This story serves as a challenge for individuals to both open the mind to a world of possibilities while connecting the body and soul to the energy that surrounds us. I accept this invitation and hope others will too."−Peter Swanz, ND, FHANP "Jim's experience of the Mo Pai is one of magic, mystery, excitement, and betrayal. The book provided me with great hope and reconciliation of the true human nature in my heart which I always subconsciously sensed. It is also an urgent call in this precarious time for people of all races to unite in finding the lost and forgotten meaning within, by becoming aware of what we really are and demanding God's given knowledge to be released by various powers that be, without prejudice and for the benefit of all continuing humanity." −Peter Proksch, Mo Pai student

The Yijing (I Ching) or "Book of Change" is one of the oldest of the Chinese classic texts and has held a key place in the Daoist tradition for thousands of years. Explaining the ancient Yijing system of prediction based on the Xiang (symbolism) and Shu (numerology) knowledge of Bagua (the eight basic trigrams), which have not previously been written about outside China, this book makes the Yijing accessible to the Western world in a new and fuller way. In the space of just eight days, Master Zhongxian Wu leads the reader towards a deep understanding of the Eight Trigrams of the Yijing and how to apply this knowledge in practical ways in daily life. Master Wu explores the numerology and symbolism of Yijing and clearly explains how the reader can use the Yijing divination system for themselves. This remarkable book provides a user-friendly eight day program that will be a fascinating read for anyone with an interest in learning more about the Yijing or Chinese philosophy and culture as a whole, as well as those who wish to learn how to use the Yijing for practical purposes.

An abridged translation of “Afdhalus Solawat 'ala Saiyidis Sadat” by Ash-Shaikh Yusuf Ibn Isma'il An-Nabhani – about Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ – with foreword by Mudarris Ilyas Zakaria. The first part of the book consists of sections relating to the meaning, obligation and merits of Salawat based on transmitted texts from Quranic verses, Prophetic Hadiths and sayings of the Islamic scholars. These sections cite close to a hundred Prophetic Hadiths, mostly on the motivation and encouragement to Salawat abundantly, especially on Fridays, in order to obtain abundant and important benefits in both Dunia and Akhirah. The second part of the book consists of some of the best methods of Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ, including those transmitted from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself or the great 'Ulama such as Al-Imam Ash-Shafi'i, As-Saiyid Ahmad Al-Badawi and As-Saiyid Ahmad Ibn Idris Radhiyallahu 'Anhum. The book ends with a 50-verse poem on the summary of the Prophetic life in sequence from the creation of his light since before the beginning of time and until the continuous existence of his Prophetic life after his human departure. The author said in the introduction of this book, “My dear Muslim brothers who love the Prophet and who wish for Salawat upon him, help yourself with this book for the sake of salvation in your religion and your world. Regardless of how much you seek, you would almost certainly not find any compilation of a book like this.” The author, Ash-Shaikh Yusuf Ibn Isma'il An-Nabhani (1849-1932), was from the Levant and was a scholar of Al-Madzhab Ash-Shafi'i. He served as the Chief Justice of the Court of Human Rights in Beirut for over 20 years and was devoted to knowledge, literature, composing poems and writing books, especially in defence of his beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The translator, Muhammad Zulhikam Jamil, is a freelance Arabic-to-English script translator particularly in the field of Islamic knowledge. With an experience of over 10 years, majority of his translation works stem from his interest in themes relating to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.