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The book "Scholar Activism and Land Struggles" by Saturnino M. Borras Jr. and Jennifer C. Franco explores the role and challenges faced by scholar-activists working on agrarian issues and the struggle for land. The authors argue for the importance of political involvement and the production of knowledge by critical researchers within academic institutions and independent research institutions. They also discuss the historical context of agrarian debates and the global perspective of these debates from a decolonial standpoint. The book provides a classification of different types of scholar-activists and proposes the formation of a global movement of agrarian scholar-activists based on solidarity and internationalism. The authors emphasize the need for self-reflection and critical analysis in both academic and activist spaces. Overall, the book offers valuable insights into the complexities of agrarian struggles and the potential for social change. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Women from the South: Poetics of the Encounter with Asia and Africa" focuses on the experiences of women researchers from Latin America who study Asia and Africa. The authors aim to challenge Western, colonial, and patriarchal perspectives in academia and emphasize the importance of the researcher's subjectivity in producing knowledge. The book raises questions about the implications of conducting research from the Global South and explores the researchers' experiences of otherness. It advocates for South-South dialogues and decolonial feminisms, making valuable contributions to academia and social movements. [Extracted from the article]

Tom Goodfellow's book, "Politics and the Urban Frontier: Transformation and Divergence in Late Urbanizing East Africa," explores the relationship between states and urban populations in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Rwanda, focusing on the capital cities of Addis Ababa, Kampala, and Kigali. The book examines four key issues that shape urbanization in these cities: land regimes and property, infrastructure and basic services, urban economies and labor, and urban mobilizations. Goodfellow's analysis provides insight into the unique urbanization trends in the region and the specificities of urban development in each country and city. The book also discusses the concept of the urban frontier in East Africa and its impact on urban development and politics. It acknowledges the differences between East African cities and other global cities, emphasizing the importance of understanding both their unique characteristics and the common forces that connect them. The text also highlights the authoritarian nature of the regimes in power in East Africa and the challenges this presents for urban politics and the potential for change. It calls for a deeper understanding of urban politics in authoritarian contexts and the need for adaptable theories to analyze and address these challenges. [Extracted from the article]

"Food Sovereignty and Urban Agriculture: Concepts, Politics, and Practice in South Africa" by Anne Siebert is a comprehensive exploration of the importance of food sovereignty and urban agriculture in addressing unequal food access, environmental sustainability, and local economic independence. The book focuses on a case study of George, South Africa, and highlights the role of urban agriculture in addressing historical segregation and enhancing access to nutritious food. It discusses the challenges and opportunities related to food sovereignty in South Africa's urban areas and emphasizes the need to strengthen primary sectors like agriculture for regional ecological and economic sustainability. The book provides a valuable resource for understanding and supporting the development of urban agriculture and food sovereignty, although it has a specific focus on the South African context. [Extracted from the article]

The article is a book review of "Politics and Cultural Nativism in 1970s Taiwan: Youth, Narrative, Nationalism" by A-chin Hsiau. The book explores the intellectual and cultural developments in Taiwan during the 1970s, leading up to the end of martial law. It focuses on the "Axial Generation" of postwar Taiwan, who grew up under authoritarian rule and were influenced by the Taiwanization movement. The book highlights the rise of Taiwanese consciousness and its impact on the democratic movement in the 1980s. It also emphasizes the complexity of Taiwanese identity, which includes both Taiwanese and Mainlander perspectives. The reviewer notes that the book provides a timely reminder of Taiwan's history and its resistance to colonization, as well as the impact of external pressures on Taiwanese consciousness. [Extracted from the article]

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The article, titled "Underscoring the importance of fieldwork when drafting notes from the field," discusses the relationship between victim support and restorative justice. The author, Antony Pemberton, argues that restorative justice schemes are more prevalent in countries with weak victim support systems. However, the article lacks empirical grounding and does not provide substantive details about victim support organizations or restorative justice practices in Europe. The author suggests that further research is needed to understand the social processes and actions of those involved in victim support and restorative justice. [Extracted from the article]

The book "The Memory of the Future: Chile 2019-2022" by Pierre Dardot analyzes the social uprising in Chile and its relationship with neoliberalism. The author examines the actors and causes of the uprising, as well as the Mapuche movement, the feminist movement, and the student movement as opposition vectors to neoliberalism. The book highlights the importance of these social movements in the uprising against neoliberalism and the precariousness of life in Chile. Additionally, the constituent issue is addressed and reflected upon whether the process in Chile can be considered constituent. The composition of the Constitutional Convention is positively valued in terms of gender, presence of indigenous peoples, and labor diversity, but the process is criticized for being based on consensus and technocracy instead of collective deliberation. The author concludes that it is necessary to aspire for more and not fall into futility. [Extracted from the article]

Olivia C. Harrison's book, "Natives Against Nativism: Antiracism and Indigenous Critique in Postcolonial France," explores the connections between antiracist and pro-migrant movements in post-World-War-II France and anticolonial struggles in Palestine and Turtle Island. The book argues that French nativism by white supremacists is linked to France's history as a colonial power and its ongoing coloniality. Harrison examines various cultural works, such as literature and film, to illustrate these connections and critiques the co-optation of antiracist discourse by the far right in France. The book also explores the relationship between the "migrant question" in France and the colonization of Palestine. Overall, "Natives Against Nativism" provides valuable insights into transindigenous identification and the colonial history of the "migrant question" in France. [Extracted from the article]

This essay discusses three recent publications in settler colonial studies, with a specific focus on Israel. The books explore various aspects of settler colonialism in Palestine-Israel, including the evolution of Jewish national consciousness, the relationship between Israel and other Anglo-European settler colonies, and the support for ongoing settler colonization. The first book, "Jewish Anti-fascism and the false promise of settler colonialism" by Max Kaiser, examines the Australian Jewish anti-fascist left and its critique of white supremacist settler colonialism. The second book, "The Oldest Guard" by Liora R. Halperin, challenges the dominant narrative of left-wing settlers in Israel and highlights the hierarchical relationship between settlers and Palestinians. These books provide valuable insights into settler colonialism and its impact on different communities. The text also discusses the history and current state of Israeli settler colonialism in Palestine, emphasizing the role of private land acquisition by settlers and the erasure of Palestinian history. It further examines the post-state Israeli settler movement, its strategies and tactics, and its political influence and support. The text concludes by emphasizing the importance of studying settler colonialism in relation to right-wing populism and exploring transnational political coordination among settler colonial societies. [Extracted from the article]

The article "The Complexity of Social Movements" highlights the importance of social movements in Latin America and Mexico, as well as the criticism of classical theories. It emphasizes the struggle for democracy and the questioning of the neoliberal model by these movements. Additionally, it mentions the publication of a collective book that analyzes the challenges of Mexican, Latin American, and European societies in the 21st century. It also discusses the relationship between social movements and the State, civil society, and other relevant actors. The text talks about social movements in Latin America and their resistance to neoliberalism. It highlights that these movements have emerged in rural areas and marginalized urban sectors, and have a variety of objectives. Examples of movements in different countries are mentioned, such as the Mapuche indigenous movement in Chile, the Landless Rural Workers' Movement in Brazil, and the student movement in Mexico. These movements defend the environment, human rights, and social justice, and seek to build a different democracy and world. The text also discusses socio-environmental movements in Mexico, which oppose destruction and dispossession, and defend territory and life. The text presents three chapters that address different aspects of social movements. The first chapter highlights that social movements are agents that construct alternative forms of education, based on the roots and traditional knowledge of communities. The second chapter analyzes social movements in Greece and Spain in the context of the European crisis. The third chapter reflects on contemporary social movements, highlighting their diversity and the participation of young people and women. The text emphasizes the inclusion of young people in social movements and the important role of women in these movements. Several social movements in Mexico are also mentioned, such as Zapatismo, the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca, the Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity, #YoSoy132, and the Ayotzinapa movement. The article discusses self-government and autonomy in communities, where decisions are made through assemblies and solutions to conflicts are proposed. The book offers a theoretical and methodological discussion of social movements and analyzes various specific struggles in the context of neoliberal capitalism. It also raises the need to build new and autonomous worlds. [Extracted from the article]

"Dynastic Democracy: Political Families of Thailand" by Yoshinori Nishizaki is a comprehensive study of Thai political elite families from 1932 to the present day. The book argues that political families have been the primary drivers of Thai politics, dominating the Parliament regardless of the regime type. It highlights the intricate network of connections among these families and their power sharing. While the book offers a fresh perspective, it falls short of convincingly challenging other scholarly approaches and overlooks the complex factors that have shaped Thai politics over time. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses Geneviève Zubrzycki's book, "Resurrecting the Jew: Nationalism, Philosemitism, and Poland's Jewish Revival," which explores the unexpected engagement of non-Jewish Poles in Jewish culture and heritage. Zubrzycki examines various cultural and artistic performances, museum exhibitions, and commemorative practices to understand the motivations behind this interest. She argues that this "Jewish turn" serves as a symbol for cultivating a civic nationalism and secular identity in Poland, challenging the assumption that Polishness is synonymous with Catholicism. However, the article acknowledges that the current political climate in Poland, with its focus on historical revisionism and Holocaust distortion, poses a risk to this vision of a pluralistic national identity. [Extracted from the article]

"The Huthi Movement in Yemen: Ideology, Ambition and Security in the Arab Gulf" is a comprehensive book edited by Abdullah Hamidaddin that provides an in-depth analysis of the Huthi movement in Yemen. The book covers various topics, including the Huthi political ideology, societal transformations introduced by the Huthis, their efforts to transform state institutions, and the regional repercussions of their rise. The chapters in the book offer a multidimensional context and are well-written, engaging, and coherent. While the book could have incorporated more local perspectives and a theoretical framework, it is still a valuable resource for Middle East scholars and students, as well as those interested in revolutionary social movements and rebel groups. [Extracted from the article]

This book review discusses "The JDP and making the post-kemalist secularism in Turkey" by Pinar Kandemir. The author explores the evolution of Turkish secularism, particularly focusing on the influence of the Justice and Development Party (JDP) on religious practices. The book highlights the JDP's role in reshaping Turkish secularism post-Ataturk and presents a fresh perspective on secular governance in Turkey. It examines topics such as the political history of Turkey, the veil debate, and the JDP's approach to secularism and religious education. The book offers valuable insights into Turkey's socio-political landscape and contributes to the understanding of social movements, political parties, civil society, the state, and ideology in Turkey. [Extracted from the article]

Asli Zengin's book, "Violent Intimacies: The Trans Everyday and the Making of an Urban World," provides an ethnographic exploration of trans communities in Turkey, particularly in Istanbul. Zengin examines the societal norms and structures that perpetuate violence and marginalization against trans individuals, including the street, police, medical institutions, legal systems, and family dynamics. The book also contextualizes these experiences within the historical and political landscape of Turkey, addressing topics such as neoliberalism, gentrification, identitarian social movements, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Zengin's work offers a postcolonial perspective and highlights the resilience and creativity of trans communities amidst adversity. The book is recommended for graduate students studying theories of power, gender, and postcolonialism, as well as those interested in Turkish studies. [Extracted from the article]

"Civil Society in China: How Society Speaks to the State" by Runya Qiaoan explores why some advocacy groups are more effective in an authoritarian state. Qiaoan introduces the concept of "cultural resonance" to explain how advocacy groups can change minds and persuade policymakers by aligning their framing strategies with the audience's understanding of the issue. The book presents eight cases, including four environmental cases, and uses a combination of case study and process tracing to provide detailed analysis. While the evidence presented is not always clear and concrete, the book offers valuable insights into the role of cultural resonance in policy advocacy and lays a strong foundation for future research in this area. [Extracted from the article]