SKU: 86804285365

Rationality and Power: Democracy in Practice

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Rationality and Power: Democracy in Practice"It's like the story of Little Town," an influential actor says in Rationality and Power when choosing a metaphor to describe how he manipulated rationality to gain power, "The bell ringer . . . has to set the church clock. So he calls the telephone exchange and asks what time it is, and the telephone operator looks out the window towards the church clock and says, 'It's five o'clock.' 'Good, ' says the bell ringer, 'then my clock is correct.'" In the

"It's like the story of Little Town," an influential actor says in Rationality and Power when choosing a metaphor to describe how he manipulated rationality to gain power, "The bell ringer . . . has to set the church clock. So he calls the telephone exchange and asks what time it is, and the telephone operator looks out the window towards the church clock and says, 'It's five o'clock.' 'Good, ' says the bell ringer, 'then my clock is correct.'"

In the Enlightenment tradition, rationality is considered well-defined, independent of context; we know what rationality is, and its meaning is constant across time and space. Bent Flyvbjerg shows that rationality is context-dependent and that the crucial context is determined by decision-makers' power. Power blurs the dividing line between rationality and rationalization. The result is a rationality that is often as imaginary as the time in Little Town, yet with very real social and environmental consequences.

Flyvbjerg takes us behind the scenes to uncover the real politics-and real rationality-of policy-making, administration, and planning in an internationally acclaimed project for environmental improvement, auto traffic reduction, land use, and urban renewal. The action takes place in the Danish city of Aalborg, but it could be anywhere. Aalborg is to Flyvbjerg what Florence was to Machiavelli: a laboratory for understanding power and what it means for our more general concerns of social and political organization. Policy-making, administration, and planning are examined in ways that allow a rare, in-depth understanding. The reader is a firsthand witness to the classic, endless drama that defines what democracy and modernity are, and what they can be.

The result is a fascinating narrative that is both concrete and general, current and timeless. Drawing on the ideas of Machiavelli, Nietzsche, Foucault, and Habermas, Flyvbjerg reads the Aalborg case as a metaphor of modernity and of modern politics, administration, and planning. Flyvbjerg uncovers the interplay of power and rationality that distorts policy deliberation. He demonstrates that modern "rationality" is but an ideal when confronted with the real rationalities involved in decision making by central actors in government, economy, and civil society. Flyvbjerg then elaborates on how this problem can be dealt with so that more fruitful deliberation and action can occur.

If the new millennium marks a recurrence of the real, Flyvbjerg's Rationality and Power epitomizes this development, setting new standards for social and political inquiry. Richly informed, powerfully argued, and clearly written, this is a book that no one trying to understand policy-making, administration, and planning can afford to overlook.

"Flyvbjerg employs a wide-ranging intellect, an enthusiastic and persuasive voice, academic rigor, and great discipline to distill years of research into an outstanding and accessible 250-page civics lesson. It begs for a readership outside academic and professional circles . . . Rationality and Power's value is undeniable as a handbook and forensic tool for anyone seeking a better understanding of and access to the democratic process."-Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

"It makes an extremely strong, and to the reviewer's mind incontrovertible, argument for placing the analysis of planning within the context of power relations. As a result it will also make a significant mark on the development of planning theory."-Geographical Journal

"A book that is to be recommended doubly, first to all those engaged in planning and implementation in a democratic context, and also to all those interested in empirical power research. Rationality and Power is rewarding even enthralling reading, a seminal contribution to its field."-European Societies

"This book is a must for a

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SKU: 86804285365

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Amy
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★★★★★ 5
Great tough ball
Color: A) Small 2.5" Ball
Great ball for dogs who like to destroy most any ball. Our girl loves this. Yay!!!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2026
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Christopher D Smith
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 3
Not Quite So Durable...
Color: B) Medium 3" Ball, Color: B) Medium 3" Ball
Maybe I have a SUPER aggressive chewer...he went through this ball in under a week. I originally bought the ball because of a review that stated the owner's Pitbull had the same ball for two years; not so much for my Rottweiler. He started chewing off and swallowing small crumbs from the ball within a day or two. By the end of the week, it was chunks so I had to toss it in the trash to prevent an intestinal obstruction. On the up side, my Rottweiler LOVED the ball while it lasted. However, I can't, in good conscience, give this ball a rave review based on this experience. Please take this review with a grain of salt as I have yet to find ANY toy that my boy won't DESTROY in a week or two. I hope that someone finds this informative when searching for chew toys for SUPER aggressive chewers like mine.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2026
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Brenda L. Ketola
Dallas, US
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Best thing ever!
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I had no idea how my dog would react to this. She would play fetch but she seemed to get bored. This Chuck It is probably my dog's favorite toy. I love it because I can actually get the ball a lot further to get her running more. And I love how easy it makes picking up the ball. All in all, this is so worth the little bit of money it is. My dog gets so excited when I ask her if she wants to play with her Chuck It. I'd buy this again and again. This thing saves my arm and back, and my dog gets some serious exercise. Winner winner. I also love how this one folds. I can fit it anywhere to take it along. Really I simply can't say enough good things about this little ball flinger. It's also my favorite thing to play with my pup.
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Lake Worth, US
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This launcher is on the smaller side, but it gets the job done! It’s perfect for small dogs and still throws far enough to tire out my golden retriever at the dog park. I thought it might fold while throwing, but it locks in place and holds straight really well. The foldable design makes it easy to carry in a small bag or leave in the car for spontaneous play. Lightweight, compact, and surprisingly sturdy, definitely a must-have if want to have a extra to leave in you car .
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Jennifer Esquivel
Port Orchard, US
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Love that it all up. Great use like original just smaller.
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