Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

This book covers the period from the end of the Second World War to the beginning of 1998. It is primarily a dictionary of political and economic history and of international relations and does not include entries on scientists, artists, musicians or literary figures, except for people (such as sakharov, solzhenitsyn ) whose importance extends beyond their professional life. The dictionary aims to do more than give a bald recital of facts by looking at the origins and significance of events as well as their course. It is therefore analytical as well as descriptive and covers the whole world. The dictionary includes treaties, world organizations and movements which cut across national boundaries (e.g. global economy ). Extensive cross-referencing enables the reader to link one entry with another: words in small capitals indicate that the subject has an entry of its own. There are bibliographies for most entries, so that the reader can pursue any topic in depth. Entries are arranged alphabetically, according to the key word in the title: US raids on Libya appears as libya, us raids on . Pinyin, the official romanization system in the People's Republic of China, has been used for Chinese names (Beijing rather than Peking), but where the Wade-Giles system is more familiar to readers (notably in the case of Chiang Kai-shek rather than jiang jieshi ), a name is first given in pinyin ... log in or subscribe to read full text