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EU policy on the state aid granted by member countries to their national economies is based on a general presumption that state aid is incompatible with the running of the single market. The
European Commission has the right to ban any state aid that distorts market competition by extending privileges to certain firms and sectors (or by favouring certain firms and sectors. The EU instruction is that national state aid should be reduced and that it be reoriented towards horizontal objectives, for only then are they assisting all firms and sectors alike. In the Republic of Croatia government expenditure to promote the economy is considerable and mainly directed towards certain sectors: shipbuilding, tourism, transport and agriculture. It is to be expected that in order to comply with EU policy Croatia will have both to reduce the extent of state aid and redirect it towards horizontal objectives.

The argument is developed that the human love of machines has made them into prosthetic gods, even though machines are both causes & cures for modern-day maladies. Prosthetic practices spread from the West through the global culture even with the knowledge that their environmental filth is poison. This is possible because of the prosthetic mythology underlying the double narratives of historical (technological) development & social (ethical) progress. This narrative is illustrated by the situation in Africa, where gifts of milk (bottle-feeding) cause diseases worse than breast-feeding would, & where the spread of (good) attitudes on psychosexual freedom & medicalized immunity cause AIDS. Industrial contamination may very well prevent nature from becoming culture. 2 Figures, 9 References. M. Pflum

"This article argues that mass media explanations of HIV/AIDS in Africa are strongly influenced by longstanding notions of a savage African sexuality. It presents results of a discourse analysis of Germany's leading quality newsmagazine and newspapers from 1982 to 2010. These are shown to depict African sexuality as heterosexual, unrestrained, but partly gendered, turning the African woman into the icon of whore or Madonna." (author's abstract)

"This chapter aims to discuss some opposing views regarding the impact of labor migration on the West Germany economy. To this end, the phenomenon is analyzed from both micro- and macro-economic points of view. As far as the micro-economic level is concerned, it would appear that mismanagement in a significant number of business firms constitutes a major reason for the heavy influx of foreign labor. Even though full employment exists in Germany, industry still continues to open new plants. Ostensibly, this practice would appear inconsistent with the given situation of full employment. Since the German Government does not assess these firms with the full cost of importing foreign labor, government policy would seem to favor this practice. With respect to macro-economic considerations, the following hypothesis is tested: namely, that it is advantageous for the German economy to employ foreign manpower because such employment (a) increases income, (b) increases wealth, (c) keeps wages and prices relatively stable, (d) helps maintain full employment, (e) aids the balance of payments, and (f) improves infrastructure. Over all, the hypothesis cannot be fully substantiated. Even though the in-migration of foreign manpower may possibly increase Germany's gross national product, it seems questionable whether per capita gross national product will increase. While material wealth will grow due to foreign labor, favorable consequences for human capital seem doubtful. The hoped-for effect that labor migration might stabilize wages and prices and help to maintain full employment cannot be validated. As for the balance of payments, foreign workers may be considered advantageous as long as their remittances can be used as a counterweight to Germany's highly positive balance of trade. However, in light of the new dollar devaluation, the picture may soon change and foreign workers' remittances become a heavy burden. Finally, investments in infrastructure, necessitated by foreign workers, may be regarded as advantageous to the extent that these investments have the effect of increasing wealth. Nevertheless, such advantages can be realized only if foreign workers eventually return to their countries of origin. In conclusion, it would appear that in the long run the disadvantages of labor migration may ultimately outweigh the advantages. This may be particularly true in the event an increasingly large number of workers should permanently remain in Germany." ((en))

Figurative & literal representations of the AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) epidemic are examined within the framework of literary theory & political/ideological motivations. Based on the assumption that both politics & AIDS are susceptible to analysis by the critical methodologies of literary theory, it is argued that representations of the AIDS epidemic are ultimately determined by political motivations. Although attempts have been made to distinguish between the biological/literal & the literary/fictive, it is suggested that these distinctions represent a political drive to assert authority. Citing the "Silence=Death" slogan utilized as a means of promoting awareness, discussion, & treatment of the AIDS epidemic, it is argued that any discourse on AIDS is simultaneously literal & figurative. Furthermore, interpretations of the facts & symbols of these discourse are ultimately beyond the control of the individual or group enlisting these discourses. As such, the slogan both undermines the repressive urges of the political & medical community & implicitly reinforces the discursive structures on which these symbols & acts of repression rely. It is concluded that neither the literal nor figurative provides a neutral, value-free framework for discussion of AIDS. T. Sevier

"The issue of mutual aid networks is part of an approach aimed at enhancing wellbeing and quality of working life by reviving links of solidarity among work colleagues. The development of this approach is closely associated with a deterioration of mental health at the workplace. Mutual aid networks created by local unions aim to help fix this hardship. The goals set for dealing with problems consist first of controlling, reducing or even eliminating the work factors that imperil mental health; next, of supporting employees through union involvement aimed at leading to a new type of relationship; and, finally, of defending their rights and facilitating their return to work under better conditions. It is a way of improving working conditions by introducing a type of relationship among the members that leads to rediscover the social dimension of human development, an answer to a need that becomes obvious in workplaces. This article consists of showing how these networks play a part in union renewal. Mutual aid networks' are devised as a social innovation emerging from actions by employees associated with the trade-union and voluntary associations. Although networks are starting to develop a degree of self-reliance in terms of operations, outer connections are needed. We offer an understanding of how these networks are structured and inserted into unions' institutionalised activities. This involves analysing the process of their setting-up and the links that develop between agents as well as with principals and union representatives. The activities are set out based on the type of problem submitted to the network. The paper is divided into two parts. The first part presents what has emerged from rapid transformations in the labour world in terms of mental health, work organisation and the need for these problems to be handled through new union practices that complete the traditional course of actions. In the second part, we introduce the outcomes of our research by showing the structure-forming elements of mutual aid networks, in particular their internal organisation, their operations, the types of intervention and the conception of the role of mutual aid provider." (author's abstract)

Draws upon information gleaned from 50 interviews with activists in New York, Los Angeles, & Chicago to examine grassroots efforts to increase awareness about & empower individuals living with human immuno-deficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), in order to shed light on the interaction between multiple oppressions & collective action. Ways in which multiple inequalities like sexism, racism, homophobia, & classism impact the struggle against AIDS are explored at both the movement & community level. Grassroots efforts to resist multiple oppressions in communities of color are analyzed to demonstrate the creation of multidimensional oppositional consciousness & mobilization for collective action. It is contended that the key strategies used to oppose dominant ideological conceptions of the "other" are constructive dialogue, empowerment initiatives, community embeddedness, & use of indigenous culture. Special attention is given to the incorporation of cultural elements into activism; the crucial role played by race in the HIV/AIDS movement; & the structuring of political work around multiple collective identities, cultural symbols, & structural positions. J. Lindroth

Draws upon information gleaned from 50 interviews with activists in New York, Los Angeles, & Chicago to examine grassroots efforts to increase awareness about & empower individuals living with human immuno-deficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), in order to shed light on the interaction between multiple oppressions & collective action. Ways in which multiple inequalities like sexism, racism, homophobia, & classism impact the struggle against AIDS are explored at both the movement & community level. Grassroots efforts to resist multiple oppressions in communities of color are analyzed to demonstrate the creation of multidimensional oppositional consciousness & mobilization for collective action. It is contended that the key strategies used to oppose dominant ideological conceptions of the "other" are constructive dialogue, empowerment initiatives, community embeddedness, & use of indigenous culture. Special attention is given to the incorporation of cultural elements into activism; the crucial role played by race in the HIV/AIDS movement; & the structuring of political work around multiple collective identities, cultural symbols, & structural positions. J. Lindroth

Die Verfasser zeigen, dass das System der familialen Abstammung in ländlichen Regionen manchmal weiterhin funktioniert, auch wenn die Lasten von Müttern und Großmüttern getragen werden, weil die Männer entweder abgewandert oder tot sind. Pflege und Zuwendung liegen dann in der Hand der Frauen. In städtischen Regionen ist dieser Lebensstil eher auf dem Rückzug und hier sind es häufig die Großmütter, die eine große Zahl von Enkeln unter schwierigen Bedingungen groß ziehen. Auch in solchen Notsituationen zeigt sich nicht nur ein hohes Maß an organisatorischer Kompetenz, es werden auch Rituale und Familienfeiern aufrecht erhalten, die für die soziale Kohäsion von hoher Bedeutung sind. (ICE).