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Social Policy in Context Peter Herrmann Social policy is widely accepted as scientific discipline – and this includes that it accepts for itself another meaning of this status, one which is usually not considered: the subject is disciplined, i.e. regimented. One important point in this context is that social policy is focused and thereby forgets systematic economic determinants and the historical perspective on its own existence. The present book recalls some fundamental issues – such as the partial liberation of human decision making from extramundane powers – and as well as topics that are being discussed in contemporary settings. The volume brings different dimensions together in an insightful way and is a stimulating read for those who are ready to engage with the complexity of political questions, are looking for instruments for an analysis that reaches beyond “yesterday’s solutions for the problems we don’t really know anyway”.

The Ndebele Nation Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni Scholarship on the South African kingdom of the Ndebele of Zimbabwe which was promising in the 1960s and 1970s was overtaken and overshadowed by research into Shona history in the 1980s. Since then no major study has appeared on Ndebele pre-colonial history and this book is the first of its kind to delve deeper into pertinent issues of state formation, nation-building, style of governance, hegemony, memory and the idea of a Ndebele 'nation' rather than a 'tribe'. A richly nuanced historical portrait of the pre-colonial Ndebele political and social life is provided.

Multidimensional Social Science Kees van der Veer, Ake Hartmann & Harry van den Berg (Eds.) The founding fathers of the social sciences were convinced of the notion that the empirical study of social change requires an encompassing theoretical framework that takes into account the complexities of and the interrelations between different forms of social inequality. But due to the ongoing specialization within the social sciences the notion that it is worthwhile to develop an encompassing theoretical framework as a prerequisite for doing empirical research is not accepted anymore as self-evident. Even the word ‘holism’ is often disregarded as outdated. This book argues for the reappraisal of a systematic holistic approach of social scientific phenomena, particularly social inequality, for the discerning reader and university student. It is the result of a collaborative project of researchers from different disciplinary origins. The project focuses on Johan Galtung’s theory of Social Position developed in the 1960s. This Social Position theory is revisited and expanded towards a multidimensional approach of social inequality between and within societies taking into account that new dimensions of social inequality have become much more relevant due to for example the developments in information society. In this book the authors show that a renewed version of the Social Position theory may constitute a fruitful point of departure for the development of multidimensional social research.

Thinking diversity, building cohesion Mokubung Nkomo & Saloshna Vandeyar (Eds.) 'South Africa's schools must become successful multiracial, multicultural institutions if the nation is to move from freedom to unity and genuine mutual respect. The challenges are immense. This books draws on experience throughout the world and in South Africa to help set the agenda for educators, researchers and responsible authorities; it provides a valuable resource for South Africa and other societies'. Gary Orfield - Professor of Education, Law, Political Science and Urban Planning; Co-director, The Civil Rights Project, University of California; and Professor of Education and Social Policy of Harvard University

Health Communication in Southern Africa Luuk Lagerwerf, Henk Boer and Herman Wasserman Does healthy behaviour have the same predictors whether Zambian or Namibianindividuals are concerned? How do social networks in small villages play a role incommunicating health information? Do South African mass media affect diverseaudiences the same way as mass media do in Western society? Is the design ofpatient information adequate to help and instruct people who speak Xhosa astheir first language? This book presents studies on health communication, in particular HIV/AIDScommunication, in southern Africa, from a variety of scientific perspectives. Itbrings together approaches from usually divergent areas such as psychology, theanalysis of social networks, studies of mass communication and the analysis ofinterpersonal communication, language and document design. These studies, allbased on research in southern Africa, show the complexity of social and culturalfactors related to health communication. Both established and promising researchersfrom the USA, Europe, and South Africa provide answers from healthcommunication research in socially and culturally diverse societies in SouthernAfrica. This overview of scientific approaches is a must-read for students, scholars andpractitioners in health communication and public health. It is also an invaluableresource for professionals who are involved in health communication.

Only in Holland, Only the Dutch Marc Resch 3rd and updated edition to be published soon! "The American academic Marc Resch describes Dutch peculiarities in a conscientious and humoristic manner. He touches upon many cultural aspects of the country, such as the mentality, the history, values, and typical commercial products. The book not only discusses the well-known cheese and euthanasia, but also Zwarte Piet and Ajax. Resch describes in critical but admiring words all these fascinating subjects and goes against the stereotype of the Dutch as boring or bizarre people." - Nederlandse Taalunie (2005) As part of the on-going celebration of the 400th anniversary of New York and the Hudson Area Marc Resch will deliver a presentation of the book November 14th in New York City. Check OnlyinHolland.com for more details.

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