Best Selling Books by Alastair Smith

Explains the theory of political survival, particularly in cases of dictators and despotic governments, arguing that political leaders seek to stay in power using any means necessary, most commonly by attending to the interests of certain coalitions.

The authors of this ambitious book address a fundamental political question: why are leaders who produce peace and prosperity turned out of office while those who preside over corruption, war, and misery endure? Considering this political puzzle, they also answer the related economic question of why some countries experience successful economic development and others do not. The authors construct a provocative theory on the selection of leaders and present specific formal models from which their central claims can be deduced. They show how political leaders allocate resources and how institutions for selecting leaders create incentives for leaders to pursue good and bad public policy. They also extend the model to explain the consequences of war on political survival. Throughout the book, they provide illustrations from history, ranging from ancient Sparta to Vichy France, and test the model against statistics gathered from cross-national data. The authors explain the political intuition underlying their theory in nontechnical language, reserving formal proofs for chapter appendixes. They conclude by presenting policy prescriptions based on what has been demonstrated theoretically and empirically.

When the United States invaded Iraq, President Bush made it clear: the U.S. was not fighting the Iraqi people. Rather, all quarrels were solely with Iraq''s leadership. This kind of assertion remains frequent in foreign affairs--sanctions or military actions are imposed on a nation not because of its people, but because of its misguided leaders. Although the distinction might seem pedantic since the people suffer regardless, Punishing the Prince reveals how targeting individual leaders for punishment rather than the nations they represent creates incentives for cooperation between nations and leaves room for future relations with pariah states. Punishing the Prince demonstrates that theories of leader punishment explain a great deal about international behavior and interstate relations. The book examines the impact that domestic political institutions have on whether citizens hold their leaders accountable for international commitments and shows that the degrees to which citizens are able to remove leaders shape the dynamics of interstate relations and leader turnover. Through analyses of sovereign debt, international trade, sanctions, and crisis bargaining, Fiona McGillivray and Alastair Smith also uncover striking differences in patterns of relations between democratic and autocratic states. Bringing together a vast body of information, Punishing the Prince offers new ways of thinking about international relations.

Endogenous election timing allows leaders to schedule elections ''when the time is right''. The author proposes and tests an informational theory of endogenous election timing that explains when leaders call for elections and the consequences of their decisions. In particular, he argues that, if all else is equal, leaders announce elections when they anticipate a decline in their future performance. As a consequence, early elections signal a leader''s lack of confidence in future outcomes. The earlier elections occur, relative to expectations, the stronger the signal of demise. Using data on British parliaments since 1945, the author tests hypotheses related to timing of elections, electoral support and subsequent economic performance. Leaders who call elections early (relative to expectations) experience a decline in their popular support relative to pre-announcement levels, experience worse post-electoral performance, and have shorter campaigns.

Fascinating facts, quizzes and things to make and do

Introduces our universe, our solar system, its planets, moons, asteroids, comets, the stars, constellations, and astronomy facts.

Analytical measurements at the single molecule level under ambient conditions have become almost routine in the past few years. The application of this technology to fundamental studies of heterogeneity in biomolecular structure and dynamics, chemical and biological reaction kinetics, and photophysics provides a rich playground for molecular scientists. The potential use of single molecule detection for nanotechnology and quantum information processing is a new and almost unexplored area. This handbook is intended for those interested in a practical introduction to single molecule investigations using fluorescence techniques and places special emphasis on the practicalities of achieving single molecule resolution, analysing the resulting data and exploration of the applications in biophysics. It is ideal for graduate research students and others embarking on work in this exciting field.

This book shows you the universe, using the latest amazing information from astronomers around the world, and space probes around the galaxy.

Discover how cars and planes work, how energy is turned into power in your home, and much more.

Full of ideas for drawing people in lots of situations and styles.

These books open up worlds inaccessible to the naked eye Fascinating yet practical beginner''s guides with an abundance of amazing photographs and realistic illustrations Include clearly explained activities, experiments and projects.

Explains the science of mixtures and compounds, with explanations of scientific terms, experiments and activities, study guides, and links to helpful Internet sites.

Contains topics ranging from the dinosaur age to the twentieth century, interspersed with quiz questions and answers. Megaquiz in the back contains puzzles and more quizzes.

Examines the types, physical characteristics, and eating habits of such sea creatures as dolphins, sharks, seahorses, and corals.

Discover what happens inside your body when you eat.

This updated edition shows you the universe, using the latest amazing information from astronomers around the world, and space probes around the galaxy. This book includes practical information on home astronomy and buying and using equipment.

This information packed bind-up includes How Are Babies Made?, How Do Your Senses Work? and What Happens to Your Food?.

Night time shows little children what animals around the world get up to after dark. Featuring lively and humorous text with glorious illustrations. Ages 2+ years.

This examination companion provides a broad coverage of clinical and laboratory haematology through clinical cases, data interpretation and slide material. Clinical scenarios are accompanied by relevant investigation data to enable examination candidates to generate a clinical diagnosis and improve their examination skills. Key features: * detailed and realistic questions with fully explanatory answers test the candidates'' knowledge in haematology * synopsis of current topical areas likely to be examined in vivas or written papers * comprehensive revision lists and recommended reading for both juniors and more experienced haematologists. An essential exam companion for candidates studying for the MRCP and MRCPath examinations. It will also prove a useful revision aid for senor medical students and all those studying clinical haematology.

Invites young readers to lift the flaps to see how owls, moths, snails, foxes, tarsiers, mice, fruit bats, and cats pass their most active hours at night and rest during the day.

WHEN YOU TAKE A STROLL ALONG THE BEACH, YOU''LL FIND A SEASHORE FULL OF SURPRISES. DISCOVER AMAZING SIGHTS, FROM TINY CREATURES HIDDEN IN THE SAND AND ROCKS TO TALL LIGHTHOUSES BALANCED ON THE EDGE OF TOWERING CLIFFS. LIFT THE FLAPS TO UNCOVER EVEN MORE ABOUT LIFE ON THE BEACH.

Written for children aged 5 years and up, th is highly illustrated book describes outer space, covering e verything from the big bang to black holes, star spotting to our solar system and man''''s attempts at exploration. ''

A basic introduction to weather, the elements that create weather, and how to identify different kinds of weather.

Provides information on tiger cubs, ducklings, joeys, tadpoles, elephant calves, and baby penguins and rabbits.

*Face Painting Kid Kit is available in vinyl bag only.

Young readers use lift-the-flap pages to learn about the animals of a farm.