"With new leaders in place in Germany, France, and Britain and with elections in Russia, Spain, Italy, and the United States in 2008, the stage is set for change and a new transatlantic beginning in 2009. The contributors to this volume offer an agenda for action - not to reinvent either NATO or the European Union but, rather, to recast these two main institutional dimensions of the transatlantic partnership in ways that can make each better suited to the other and make both more effectively prepared to help their 32 members address the issues - security, economic, political, and societal - they face in common."--BOOK JACKET.

The end of the unipolar moment completes the passing of a Western era that was prolonged for half a century when the United States took over for a defeated and exhausted group of European states after World War II. Distinguished scholar Simon Serfaty vigorously argues that while it is possible, and even desirable, to acknowledge the passing of the Western era, it is exaggerated to present it as an irreversible decline of the West relative to an irresistible rise of the Rest. Rather, he shows that the unfolding post-Western moment will be messy. In addition to the United States and the states of Europe as a Union, the new cast of significant powers will involve a dozen or more countries: emerging powers like China and India, postimperial powers such as Japan and Russia, new influentials like Brazil and Turkey, pivot states like Egypt and Pakistan, nuisance states like Iran, failed or failing states like North Korea and Sudan, and others. Echoes of a Sarajevo moment played out this time in the greater Middle East, the new global Balkans for the twenty-first century. But Serfaty convincingly contends that even during a zero-polar moment of geopolitical transition, American power remains superior, and thus indispensable though no longer decisive; Western power stands on top and thus is inescapable though no longer exclusive; and even as the Rest gains broadly in stature and reach it is unlikely to achieve preponderance any time soon. This powerful and provocative book should be read by all who share a deep concern for the future of America—and a recast world.

Community development expert Ilana Preuss explains how local leaders can revitalize their downtowns or neighborhood main streets by bringing in and supporting small-scale manufacturing. Small-scale manufacturing businesses help create thriving places, with local business ownership opportunities and well-paying jobs that other business types can't fulfill.

This easy-to-read, Qandamp;A resource includes 300+ answers to help you custom design an LLC or LLP, weigh the pros and cons of converting your business to an LLC or LLP, capitalize on the advantages of converting to an LLC or LLP, ensure IRS compliance and avoid andquot;double taxationandquot; of revenues; also includes a state-by-state listing of statutory provisions regarding structure and organization; registration procedures and filing fees; a comparison chart of the LLC, LLP, regular and S corporation, limited partnership, and general partnership; with model operating agreements. By Alson R. Martin, Esq. For most companies, doing business as a limited liability company or partnership offers significant benefits. Limited Liability Company and& Partnership Answer Book's easy-to-read Qandamp;A format makes clear and accessible both the legal rules and important business decisions regarding LLCs and LLPs. With more than 300 authoritative answers, you'll understand how to: Custom design an LLC or LLP that provides liability protection to principals and agents -- and one-time taxation of revenue Weigh the pros and cons of converting your business to an LLC or LLP Capitalize on the operational, tactical, and strategic advantages of converting to an LLC or LLP Ensure compliance with the IRS and avoid andquot;double taxationandquot; of revenues Set up accurate and efficient tax and accounting systems Use a family limited partnership or LLC in business succession planning Plus, this practical handbook contains a state-by-state listing of statutory provisions regarding structure and organization; registration procedures and filing fees; a comparison chart of the LLC, LLP, regular and S corporation, limited partnership, and general partnership; and model operating agreements.

Practical Guide to Partnerships and LLCs (3rd Edition), by Robert Ricketts and Larry Tunnell, discusses the complex issues involving partnership taxation with utmost clarity. It uses hundreds of illustrative examples, practice observations, helpful charts and insightful explanations to make even the most difficult concepts understandable. The book reflects the authors' penchant for communicating the pertinent facts in very direct language and creating a context for understanding the multifaceted issues and applying them to practice.