Policy Press

Democracy, power and governance

In these politically turbulent times, questions about democracy, power and society are frequently raised. How does power work in society? Can we ever achieve equal rights when the power dynamics in society are so skewed?

With the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions in focus, our publishing in this area addresses questions like these from multiple angles, from extensive research into democratic governance and the concept of political power, to the role of power between different nations in foreign policy negotiations.

Bristol University Press and Policy Press are signed up to the UN SDG Publishers Compact. In Democracy, power and governance, we aim to address the following goal:

SDG Publishers compact logoSDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

Showing 1-12 of 558 items.

The Politics and Ethics of Transhumanism

Techno-Human Evolution and Advanced Capitalism

Available open access digitally under CC-BY-NC-ND licence

This book interrogates the promises of transhumanism, arguing that it is deeply entwined with capitalist ideology. It casts doubt on a utopian techno-capitalist narrative of unending progress and shows how an alternative ethical framework might foster a more inclusive future.

Bristol Uni Press
  • ForthcomingPaperbackGBP 27.99 Pre-order
  • Currently not availableEPUB
  • Currently not availablePDF

Civil Society and Intergovernmental Negotiations at the United Nations

Exclusion Despite Inclusion

Since the Earth Summit of 1992, the UN has increased its attention toward civil society, but there has been little analysis of the resulting intergovernmental practices. This book examines the future of international organizations, multilateralism, and how forms of exclusion in civil society are subject to intergovernmental negotiations.

Bristol Uni Press
  • ForthcomingPaperbackGBP 29.99 Pre-order
  • Currently not availableEPUB

Activists in the Data Stream

The Practices of Daily Grassroots Politics in Southern Europe

Available Open Access digitally under CC-BY-ND licence

This book pulls back the curtain on the link between technology and activism, showing shows how activists navigate the impact of digital media on today’s grassroots politics.

Bristol Uni Press

Data Power in Action

Urban Data Politics in Times of Crisis

EPDF and EPUB available Open Access under CC-BY-NC-ND licence

Drawing on the study of different cities in the Global South, this book explores how data have become a generative force in shaping what cities are, how they are governed and inhabited, especially during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bristol Uni Press

Feminism in Public Debt

A Human Rights Approach

Available Open Access under CC-BY-NC-ND licence digitally

This book explores the link between government debt and women's rights. Experts highlight how economic policies worsen gender inequalities and propose a feminist approach to debt issues. It is an essential resource for comprehending the intricate connection between economics and gender.

Bristol Uni Press

Post-Liberal Statebuilding in Central Asia

Imaginaries, Discourses and Practices of Social Ordering

Drawing on decolonial perspectives on peace, statehood and development, this illuminating book examines post-liberal statebuilding in Central Asia. Through its analysis, the book highlights the problem with assumptions about liberal democracy, modern statehood and capitalist development as the standard template for post-conflict countries.

Bristol Uni Press

Saving Liberalism from Itself

The Spirit of Political Participation

Available Open Access digitally under CC-BY-NC-ND licence

Timothy Stacey’s book critically reflects on what is missing from the liberal project with the aim of saving liberalism. It explains that populists have harnessed myth, ritual, magic and tradition to advance their ambitions, and why opponents need to embrace rather than eschew them.

Bristol Uni Press

City Regions and Devolution in the UK

The Politics of Representation

Rich in case study insights, this book provides an overview of city-region building and considers how governance restructuring shapes political, economic, social and cultural landscapes. Reviewing city regions in Britain, the authors address the tensions and opportunities for local elites and civil society actors.

Policy Press

Public Health

Cholera to the Coalition

The first digital-only ebook taster of Unequal health: The scandal of our times by Danny Dorling. It gives a flavour of one of the major themes: public health and contains three chapters from the book, preceded by a specially-written all-new introduction.

Policy Press

Social Medicine

Polarisation and Perspectives

The second digital-only ebook taster of Unequal health: The scandal of our times by Danny Dorling. It gives a flavour of one of the major themes: social medicine and contains three chapters from the book, preceded by a specially-written all-new introduction.

Policy Press

Health Inequalities

From Titanic to the Crash

The third digital-only ebook taster of Unequal health: The scandal of our times by Danny Dorling. It gives a flavour of one of the major themes: health inequalities contains three chapters from the book, preceded by a specially-written all-new introduction.

Policy Press

Socially Distanced Activism

Voices of Lived Experience of Poverty During COVID-19

Drawing on case studies from APLE Collective groups, this book interrogates the term ‘lived experience’. It critically investigates how knowledge gained from lived experiences of poverty is integral to developing effective COVID-19 policies.

Policy Press


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