Utopia & Collapse


Book Description

Built in 1969, Metsamor, Armenia (then the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic), was intended as a settlement for employees of a nearby nuclear power plant to be completed between 1976 and 1980. But the power plant would never realize the ambitions of its creators. In 1988, an earthquake caused the facility to be shut down. In 1989, the collapse of the Soviet Union prompted a complete construction freeze. The symbol of the dream of a technologically advanced nation, Metsamor remained incomplete and fell into decay undiminished by the recommissioning of the power plant in 1995. Utopia and Collapse documents the rise and fall of Metsamor. The book brings together an oral history of Metsamor with essays by Sarhat Petrosyan and a team of contributors and art and photographic research by Katharina Roters, including more than one hundred photographs. Among the topics discussed are Armenia's cultural and and architectural histories; the typology of Soviet atomograds, or atomic cities; and the phenomenon of modern ruins. Although today the power plant's workers live in a partly built failed utopia, Metsamor stands as examples of the highly idiosyncratic Armenian variety of Soviet Modernism of the 1960s and '70s, making this a fascinating story for anyone with an interest in Soviet-era buildings and architecture.




The Art of Armenia


Book Description

The Art of Armenia offers a sweeping survey of the arts of Armenia from antiquity to the eighteenth century C.E., addressing a range of media including architecture, sculpture, works in metal, wood, and ivory, manuscript illumination, and ceramic arts.




The New Armenia


Book Description




The Rise and Fall of the Eagle


Book Description

Everything that rises is bound to fall. The international system has been a stage for many states and different ideologies, witnessing their power struggles and efforts to ideological superiority for centuries. This new book tackles the foreign policy choices of the United States (US), which has recently dominated the international system and the liberal world order that it has sought to establish through its foreign policy. The book addresses the hegemony debate in the international system on a realistic axis. It contributes to the literature by critically examining recent academic work of experts in their fields as well as primary resources that detail the national security strategies of the US, including national security policy documents, executive orders, archives of the White House, interviews, and remarks by US presidents. The book is thus a testament to the present state of affairs during this pivotal juncture in the history of the US and the world order. This book also looks at the crisis in the liberal world system from the framework of the crises that lie in the foreign policy of the US, resulting in the collapsing of the liberal world order it advocates. In short, this book presents a study of how and for what purpose the liberal world order was established, how it began to rise, its connection with the US hegemony, how it has been shaken by various practices, and whether it has been successful so far. Presenting a perspective different from the leading figures of the field of international relations, such as Mearsheimer, Walt, Waltz, and Gilpin, this book is written in an academic format aiming to be of special value to students of American foreign policy, foreign policy analysis, globalization and world politics as well as a valuable addition to college libraries and bookstores.




The Decline and Fall of the American Republic


Book Description

“Audacious . . . offers a fierce critique of democracy’s most dangerous adversary: the abuse of democratic power by democratically elected chief executives.” (Benjamin R. Barber, New York Times bestselling author of Jihad vs. McWorld ) Bruce Ackerman shows how the institutional dynamics of the last half-century have transformed the American presidency into a potential platform for political extremism and lawlessness. Watergate, Iran-Contra, and the War on Terror are only symptoms of deeper pathologies. Ackerman points to a series of developments that have previously been treated independently of one another?from the rise of presidential primaries, to the role of pollsters and media gurus, to the centralization of power in White House czars, to the politicization of the military, to the manipulation of constitutional doctrine to justify presidential power-grabs. He shows how these different transformations can interact to generate profound constitutional crises in the twenty-first century?and then proposes a series of reforms that will minimize, if not eliminate, the risks going forward. “The questions [Ackerman] raises regarding the threat of the American Executive to the republic are daunting. This fascinating book does an admirable job of laying them out.” —The Rumpus “Ackerman worries that the office of the presidency will continue to grow in political influence in the coming years, opening possibilities for abuse of power if not outright despotism.” —Boston Globe “A serious attention-getter.” —Joyce Appleby, author of The Relentless Revolution “Those who care about the future of our nation should pay careful heed to Ackerman’s warning, as well as to his prescriptions for avoiding a constitutional disaster.” —Geoffrey R. Stone, author of Perilous Times




The Rise and Fall of the Religious Left


Book Description

For decades now, Americans have believed that their country is deeply divided by “culture wars” waged between religious conservatives and secular liberals. In most instances, Protestant conservatives have been cast as the instigators of such warfare, while religious liberals have been largely ignored. In this book, L. Benjamin Rolsky examines the ways in which American liberalism has helped shape cultural conflict since the 1970s through the story of how television writer and producer Norman Lear galvanized the religious left into action. The creator of comedies such as All in the Family and Maude, Lear was spurred to found the liberal advocacy group People for the American Way in response to the rise of the religious right. Rolsky offers engaged readings of Lear’s iconic sitcoms and published writings, considering them as an expression of what he calls the spiritual politics of the religious left. He shows how prime-time television became a focus of political dispute and demonstrates how Lear’s emergence as an interfaith activist catalyzed ecumenical Protestants, Catholics, and Jews who were determined to push back against conservatism’s ascent. Rolsky concludes that Lear’s political involvement exemplified religious liberals’ commitment to engaging politics on explicitly moral grounds in defense of what they saw as the public interest. An interdisciplinary analysis of the definitive cultural clashes of our fractious times, The Rise and Fall of the Religious Left foregrounds the foundational roles played by popular culture, television, and media in America’s religious history.




Republic of Armenia


Book Description

The Armenian banking sector is recovering from the 2014 economic slowdown, aided by additional capital injected by shareholders, several mergers, and improved regulation and supervision. However, banks, including the largest ones, are vulnerable to external shocks because high levels of dollarization expose them to FX-related credit and liquidity risks. These risks can be mitigated with the adoption of a stressed debt service to income ratio limit, the gradual introduction of reserve requirements in foreign currency for liabilities denominated in foreign currency, and the adoption of the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) and Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR) in domestic currency and in United States dollars (USD). The introduction of the capital surcharge for domestic systemically important banks is also needed.




The History of Armenia


Book Description

There is a great deal of interest in the history of Armenia since its renewed independence in the 1990s and the ongoing debate about the genocide - an interest that informs the strong desire of a new generation of Armenian Americans to learn more about their heritage and has led to greater solidarity in the community. By integrating themes such as war, geopolitics, and great leaders, with the less familiar cultural themes and personal stories, this book will appeal to general readers and travellers interested in the region.




Republic of Armenia


Book Description

The postcrisis recovery in Armenia has accelerated, but challenges remain. Economic policies have been broadly consistent with IMF advice. Credit growth has been strong, especially in foreign currency (FX). The banking system is sound. The central bank (CBA) is improving the regulatory and supervisory framework in line with Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) recommendations. Risks are mainly on the downside and come from potential external shocks, political uncertainties, and regional conflicts. Strong adjustment is continuing in 2012 with the deficit again expected to be lower than budgeted.




Republic of Armenia


Book Description

The Armenian economy suffered a major setback during the global crisis. Recent macroeconomic developments are encouraging, despite inflation pressures. The fiscal policy strategy appropriately addresses medium-term fiscal and debt vulnerabilities. The monetary policy has been appropriate. The increased flexibility of the exchange rate is serving well, and the banking sector remains sound and proved resilient to the global shocks. Further improvement in tax administration is needed to support fiscal consolidation and achieve stronger growth. Structural reforms will be essential to enhance competitiveness.