As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict persists; aspiring peacemakers continue to search for the precise territorial dividing line that will satisfy both Israeli and Palestinian nationalist demands. The prevailing view assumes that this struggle is nothing more than a dispute over real estate. Defining Neighbors boldly challenges this view; shedding new light on how Zionists and Arabs understood each other in the earliest years of Zionist settlement in Palestine and suggesting that the current singular focus on boundaries misses key elements of the conflict.Drawing on archival documents as well as newspapers and other print media from the final decades of Ottoman rule; Jonathan Gribetz argues that Zionists and Arabs in pre-World War I Palestine and the broader Middle East did not think of one another or interpret each other's actions primarily in terms of territory or nationalism. Rather; they tended to view their neighbors in religious terms--as Jews; Christians; or Muslims--or as members of "scientifically" defined races--Jewish; Arab; Semitic; or otherwise. Gribetz shows how these communities perceived one another; not as strangers vying for possession of a land that each regarded as exclusively their own; but rather as deeply familiar; if at times mythologized or distorted; others. Overturning conventional wisdom about the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Gribetz demonstrates how the seemingly intractable nationalist contest in Israel and Palestine was; at its start; conceived of in very different terms.Courageous and deeply compelling; Defining Neighbors is a landmark book that fundamentally recasts our understanding of the modern Jewish-Arab encounter and of the Middle East conflict today.
#59481 in Books Peter T Leeson 2011-07-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.20 x 1.01 x 5.23l; .73 #File Name: 0691150095288 pagesThe Invisible Hook The Hidden Economics of Pirates
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. There Are Lessons for TodayBy CustomerGreat lessons in history; leadership; and organizing a crew to function effectively; while not following the established laws of the times.The themes are ageless; allow people to work out solutions locally; with the human resources they have; and while outside the "box of the day" it works. From pirates to Hans Solo; people want to be free to prosper. While pirate methods create more harm to enterprise than good you have to admire their innovations; and their acceptance of people from all backgrounds was noteworthy.An exploration of the good side of a bad business.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Educational and Interesting!By AlanPeter T. Leeson spoke at my college when I was a freshman (six years ago now) and I went for an extra credit in my gen ed econ class. His talk was so memorable that even six years later; when I needed to research piracy and wanted a unique angle; I remembered him and purchased his book. It didn't disappoint!THE INVISIBLE HOOK provides a very interesting look into the life of pirates; examining the role of economics in everything from self-governance to torture. While maintaining a conversational; often amusing tone; Leeson does a fabulous job of blending the (potentially dry) foundations of economics with the fascinating life and customs of pirates. Definitely would recommend to pirate lovers; and/or reluctant economics students!3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Pirates and LibertyBy Joshua RosenblumAs any reader of GURPS: Swashbucklers knows; the buccaneers of the golden age of piracy were a remarkably enlightened bunch; establishing on their ships a system of egalitarian; democratic civil administration.Oh; you haven't read GURPS: Swashbucklers?Well never mind that. What's important to know is that; despite their reputation as blood-thirsty cut-throat savages; life aboard a pirate ship in the Carribean was a damn sight more free and civilized than serving aboard a navy ship or merchantman in the same era.Pirates operated their ships according to "articles of agreement;" deliberated by and signed off by each member of the crew. These "constitutions" governed all aspects of shipboard life and how major decisions concerning the enterprise would be conducted. Pirate captains were elected by their crews and could be removed at any time for any reason. What's more; authority was not centered in the position of captain as it was in the navy or merchant service; but rather power was divided between several officials; probably the most important being the quarter-master (who divided the loot!)Why did these pirate crews exhibit such modern tendencies toward democracy; separation of powers and equality - many years before actual governments did?Leeson answers these questions by arguing that there are essentially economic reasons for these behaviours. Pirates were not any more enlightened than anyone else of their time. They were handicapped by all the same human flaws and foibles that everyone else was. What was different was their situation which allowed for different economic calculations.For example; Leeson argues that the decentralized; egalitarian administration of pirate vessels was due to the "agency problem" in economics. Essentially; because merchant vessels were owned by an "absentee landlord" who was not on site; the ship owner had to rely on the services of an agent who could be relied on to be loyal; as opposed to diverse agents (crew) who would rob him blind. This required the loyal agent to be granted dictatorial power to keep the others in line.Pirate crews; on the other hand; owned their own vessels. Thus; one pirate stealing would be stealing from his fellow shipmates. Therefore; Leeson argues; a decentralized administration could be much more effective as; essentially the pirates would police each other. This decentralization then further increased "pirate happiness" by reducing the ability of an authority figure to prey on his crew.The Invisible Hook is a fun an interesting read. Both for its delving into a history not widely known beyond Jack Sparrow films; and for providing an interesting economic explanation for the behaviours of the participants which can be scaled up to provide lessons for society as a whole.
