FOREWORD.

• Author: Alexander, Ryan

Dear Readers: This is my first issue as the new editor of the Journal of Global South Studies. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the contributions of my predecessor, Gary Kline, under whose sound leadership the journal thrived. In his final editorial message, Gary expressed his hope that he had lived up to the expectations of the organization's founder, Harold Isaacs. I have little doubt that he did. With Gary as editor, the journal found a new publisher in the University Press of Florida, which in turn provided a previously unattainable level of exposure and accessibility, to say nothing of the improved appearance of our print issues. Perhaps such fixation on material objects is vain, but I believe there is something rewarding about seeing and holding the manifestation of one's labor--the physical product of a job well done. Our journal, with its glossy cover and professional type, certainly looks the part.

Thankfully, in terms of quality, the content of our journal matches its appealing appearance. This issue is no exception, and for that I claim zero credit; that belongs entirely to the authors of the articles, who have undertaken extensive research and offered keen insight into important--often urgent--matters. Kudos also to the unsung heroes of academic journals: the anonymous and unremunerated peer reviewers, not to mention the volunteer associate editors who recruit them (Fodei Batty for Africa, Srobana Battacharya for Asia, Jacek Lubecki for the Middle East, Luis Sierra for Latin America, Jason Strakes for Eurasia, and Michael Hall for book reviews). I would also like to thank our in-house copy editor, Sara Abernathy, and the UPF copy editor, Kate Babbitt, as well as Lauren Phillips, manager of journals at UPF. Thanks, finally, to all those who agree to review new books representing the latest work on the vast expanse of disciplinary, topical, and geographic areas we cover.

Our parent organization, the Association of Global South Studies, was established to provide an international structure for the humane and scientific study of peoples, problems, and issues in the world's developing countries, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life in those places. The late Dr. Harold Isaacs, professor emeritus of history at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia, founded the Association of Third World Studies (ATWS), Inc., in 1983. The association now has a global membership and chapters in South...