Rubber is one of the world's major commodities. The industry's changing pattern of production, ownership and trade reflects major features of industrial organization and economic integration in the evolving global economy. Yet, in spite of the global importance of the industry, little has been written about it in recent years. "The World Rubber Industry" redresses this imbalance and brings the study up-to-date. The authors present a thorough analysis of the industry covering the production and processing of synthetic and natural rubber and their subsequent manufacture into rubber goods. They look first at the history and development of the two types of rubber in countries around the world, exploring the technologies and institutions involved and reviewing social and political influences on events. They also scrutinize the history and development of rubber manufacturing, and the patterns of rubber consumption, marketing and trade which this sustains. Finally, they address some central features arising from the analyses and discuss future prospects for the industry. Information is clearly presented and accessible with numerous tables and illustrations.

This volume originated as a report given to the World Bank in 1978 on the household energy consumption of both the urban and rural poor in developing countries. Originally published in 1979, this title supplies alternatives for meeting the domestic energy needs of the poor in developing countries and looks at the results of experiments in introducing new forms of energy. This book is a valuable resource for public policy makers and students interested in environmental studies and developmental studies.


First published in 1970, the aim of the book is to 'map the logical geography' of an important set of concepts which enter into the theory of social casework - those concerning the individual and society. Concepts examined include the individually orientated values of 'self-direction' and 'acceptance', and those of 'role', 'adjustment' and 'integration', which express the individual's relation to society. The author's main concern is to see whether a coherent theory of the relationship between individual and society can be given in terms of these concepts and to argue that such a theory is fundamental to casework discussion.

Mr Plant also discusses what, if any, social or political commitments the activity of casework presupposes, and evaluates the view that casework is 'apolitical'.


This re-issued work, first published in 1980, represents a work of normative political philosophy which argues positively for the centrality of the obligation to meet the various demands of social need in our society, and will be of particular interest to students of politics, philosophy, social politics and administration.

Bringing the insights of analytical Political Philosophy to bear on the issues of social welfare and welfare provision, the authors discuss such issues as the basis of the sense of stigma involved in the receipt of welfare benefits, the right of welfare and the concepts of 'community'.


Initially published in 1974, this is a work of applied social and political philosophy which relates the philsophical analysis to various forms of community work theory and practice. Raymond Plant emphasizes that 'community' has a wide range of both descriptive meanings and evaluative connotations, linking this dual role of the word in the description and evaluation of social experience to its history in ideological confrontations. The book takes account of some liberal criticisms of the community ideal, and finally seeks to re-state a theory of community compatible with a liberal ideology.