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"Today, the human race seems to have encountered more threats than it had ever faced any time before in modern history. Humanity thus is at a crossroads with respect to dealing with multiple threats that endangered preservation of the human species itself: poverty, widespread violence, dangerous illnesses, environmental catastrophes, and social break down are some of these among others. Among the most recommended available solutions to overcome these crises are how to manage crises themselves, which probably include managing resources, power, knowledge, and whatever. Spreading Investment and financial transfers to the South, where 85 per cent of humanity dwell is assumed to generate income, create work opportunity, and spark hope of sustainable development. Moreover, if improved technologies are being shared and international policies coordinated to address economic, environmental, discrimination, and health concerns, these would be even more productive. However, while current genuine international cooperation and trust between actors is diminishing, senseless talk about peace and security are in the air as well, sounding instead fearful, suspicious, conflict producing and even more mistrustful overall. The outset of the 21st century doesn't seem to offer anything to ensure the wellbeing of most of mankind, even though today in international politics, transnational interest groups are gaining clout. However, they lack an institution to represent them. Thus civil society must push on to make its many voices heard, in order to reflect and realize the notion of the global era needing a global parliament to address outstanding issues." (author's abstract)

Considers methodological alternatives available for studies of gender & social change in the context of international development, drawing on research conducted in the La Cocha region of Colombia, which focused on the kinds of social change likely to be caused by development projects in the division of labor & their effects on gender relations. Difficulty in pursuing this question involved accounting for both structures of daily life & the complexity of social relations for women. Resolution came in the form of a three-level methodology that dissociates the structural arena, the daily life of individuals, & the social arena of organizations & associations, thus allowing for analysis of their independent formation & mutual interaction. The notion of hierarchy was employed to make direct connections between these levels of analysis in particular contexts. It is concluded that, conceived in this manner, the complexity of social change is both accessible & not reduced to simplistic phenomena. D. M. Smith

Discusses the critique of modernity portrayed in Georg Simmel's Philosophie des Geldes ([Philosophy of Money] 1900). Although many 19th-century German intellectuals saw modernity as a threat to certain distinctive & uniquely valuable aspects of German politics & culture, Simmel depicted modern society as confusing & dangerous, but potentially liberating. Simmel argued that the processes of modernization could give expression to human powers, values, & traits that were uncultivated or totally repressed in the premodern era. However, this view of modernity as epiphany was countered by the more negative aspects of modernity cited by Simmel, who claimed that modern society was shaped & biased by the specific features of an advanced capitalist economy grounded almost solely in money, & the modern emphasis on capital, technology, & material goods inspired alienation. Simmel suggested that money, technology, & material goods bore little relation to human feelings, values, & desires; under these circumstances, modernity undermined traditional visions of reality & created a tremendous gap between what was valued by society & individuals. However, Simmel did not claim that alienation was exclusive to modernity, & he argued that intelligent & committed individuals could transcend this alienation. T. Sevier

Evaluates the current state of research on the sources of social capital's attitudinal aspects. Following an overview of the debate on social capital's sources, attention turns to detailing two specific debates, highlighting the work of Robert Putnam (eg, 1993). It is suggested that while historical factors drive the formation of generalized trust & the forms & density of social interactions, current social & political institutions & various levels of government are also involved. Demonstrated is that the relevance of voluntary institutions as the key measure of social capital has been challenged & that the assumption regarding the efficacy of such associations in producing generalized norms & values such as trust should be handled gingerly. Further, institutional analysis of social capital sheds light on the importance of looking beyond organizations & social interactions for mechanisms that generate, foster, or disturb the development of generalized trust & norms of reciprocity. In addition, family is seen to play an important role in generalized & cooperative attitudes & perhaps societal engagement. Social capital is also found to be embedded deeply in the three-way state-family-civil society relationship. 94 References. J. Zendejas

Under global capitalism, social reproduction has become unlinked from production & differences between rich & poor have become starker. As corporate commitment to place is reduced, public disinvestments in health, education, welfare, & environment responsibilities occurs, & many suffer, but especially children. The migration of social capital from poorer to richer countries is just another type of transfer of capital. The political-economic, cultural, & environmental aspects of social reproduction are discussed. The restructuring of social reproduction has left children in poor, underserved neighborhoods without adequate & safe outdoor play. Family & individual efforts to ensure social reproduction are arising as the state pulls back. Topographies & counter-topographies are proposed as research strategies to analyze the material effects on social reproductions produced by global economic restructuring. Counter-topographies link different places engaged in common struggles against globalization; an example from Sudan is described. 29 References. M. Pflum

Under global capitalism, social reproduction has become unlinked from production & differences between rich & poor have become starker. As corporate commitment to place is reduced, public disinvestments in health, education, welfare, & environment responsibilities occurs, & many suffer, but especially children. The migration of social capital from poorer to richer countries is just another type of transfer of capital. The political-economic, cultural, & environmental aspects of social reproduction are discussed. The restructuring of social reproduction has left children in poor, underserved neighborhoods without adequate & safe outdoor play. Family & individual efforts to ensure social reproduction are arising as the state pulls back. Topographies & counter-topographies are proposed as research strategies to analyze the material effects on social reproductions produced by global economic restructuring. Counter-topographies link different places engaged in common struggles against globalization; an example from Sudan is described. 29 References. M. Pflum

The relationship between the postmodern & feminist accounts of philosophy & social criticism is discussed in reference to the potential for a mutually beneficial form of postmodern feminism. Both postmodernists & feminists have attempted to develop new frameworks of social criticism that do not rely on traditional philosophy. Postmodernists have emphasized the philosophy aspect of this goal, while feminists have focused on social criticism. It is argued that both discourses have developed complementary strengths & weaknesses, & cooperation between the disciplines could elucidate & overcome their internal shortcomings: a postmodern critique of feminism could reveal its essentialist tendencies, while a feminist critique of postmodernism could expand its political relevance. Following an examination of these weaknesses utilizing the work of Jean Francois Lyotard & various feminist theorists, the defining characteristics of postmodern feminism are depicted as (1) recognition of the importance of historical narratives & societal macrostructures; (2) historical & cultural sensitivity; & (3) an emphasis on alliances between differences rather than universal homogeneity. 33 References. T. Sevier

An introduction to an edited Vol on the poignancy of social movements focuses on past research, present problems, & future developments. It is maintained that current scholarship has neglected the actual/potential effects of social movements, as well as conditions & processes that enhance or detract from a movement's impact. Contributors address the gap by exploring theoretical questions regarding which aspects of society are modified by social movements & by conducting empirical evaluations of the impact of contemporary social movements in different countries. A review shows that most social movement studies are limited by their focus on success/failure, policy outcomes, & causality. In contrast, contributions view social movements as complex sets of actors, groups, & organizations with different perceptions of success. They also distinguish between intended & unintended consequences, & consider the counterproductive potential of the latter. The durability & direction of change are discussed, along with the need for a coherent theoretical framework for social movement outcomes. 1 Figure. J. Lindroth

Explores the impacts of new information & communication technologies (ICTs) on various aspects of everyday life, considering ICTs as (1) both objects & media, (2) material & symbolic, (3) embedded in time & space, (4) involving both active & passive use, & (5) shifting boundaries between public & private spaces. Secondary research is drawn on to analyze social & cultural factors affecting the speed & scale of household adoption of ICTs, noting variations by gender, age, & household composition. The process by which ICTs are "domesticated" is also discussed. The impacts of ICTs on individual social life are examined, including isolation, the potential for addiction, & perceptions of/relationships with the outside world. Implications for policy making & social planning are considered. K. Hyatt Stewart

Looking to situate social capital more solidly within public institutions, an institutional theory of generalized trust linking the macro- & individual levels is presented & tested. Contending that contemporary political institutions are key determinants of social capital, causal mechanisms underpinning the link between government institutions & social capital are specified. Distinctions are drawn between trust in institutions on the representational side of the system & in those on the implementation side, asserting that the impartiality & fairness of political institutions that implement public policy are important components of institutional trust & confidence that can be separated from conventional political trust in politicians & the government. Further, these aspects of institutional trust foster generalized trust. This is exemplified in the case of the welfare system. The relationship between system impartiality & generalized trust is then elaborated in terms of cognitive inferences, people's observations of others, & the impact of people's welfare or legal experiences. These causal mechanisms are tested using empirical evidence at the microlevel, using the Swedish welfare system & various data sources to see if a lack of impartiality disturbs trust development. Analysis indicates that people do make strong connections between the institutional impartiality & generalized trust at the micro- & macrolevels, they develop different levels of trust dependent on their observations of other citizens, & those who have faced discrimination in the system are less trusting. Further research directions are offered. 3 Tables, 1 Figure, 28 References. J. Zendejas

Draws on 1998/99 fieldwork in two Nicaraguan peasant villages to consider whether the relationship between associational membership & the attitudinal elements of social capital exists in the Third World. At issue is whether associational life is linked to horizontal trust & cooperation (ie, reciprocity) or whether associations support vertical & clientelist networks. In addition, some attention is given to the viability of the civil society approach in development practice. An overview of associational life in the villages is provided, highlighting the characteristics of organizational members. The strong Sandinist bias in the villages is explained by the historical evolution of the political opportunity structure, which shaped the nature of associational life while creating & supporting local Sandinist leadership structures. In this light, associational recruitment mechanisms are considered as a way to understand the nonparticipation structure (of Liberals), finding that access to associations & their benefits is impacted by the villages' informal networks; local leaders play a big role in recruiting members. Findings indicate that associations fall into networks, with development efforts dictated by the local structure of the informal networks. Attentions turns to addressing why local leaders provide resources to the "untrustworthy" poorest groups in one village. Thus, the structure & content of its informal networks are scrutinized in search of horizontal forms of cooperation, & their relationship to the more clientelist aspects of associational life pondered. Evidence of horizontal cooperation & trust is overwhelmingly present in the village; why this is so is examined. In closing, policy recommendations are offered, stressing the need to revise the civil society development perspective. 2 Tables, 34 References. J. Zendejas

Examines the basic visual symbols that constitute the traditional elements of identity for the Russian state & former empire. The need for legitimation is a fundamental aspect of political leadership. Sources of legitimation include national myths & religion; dynastic succession, which played a major role in the Russian monarchy; the symbolic power of the capital city as the seat of political authority; history & tradition, whether accurate or mythical; & symbols of continuity & strength, such as the double-headed eagle, the continued worship of Stalin, & the observance of former Soviet state holidays. The author concludes that symbols play a vital role in maintaining national identity & social order. 45 References. J. R. Callahan

Investigates the role of African American women in the civil rights movement, focusing on three issues: social location & identity formation, definitions of leadership, & the dialectical flow of movement momentum. Drawing on an analysis of the interaction of bridge & formal leaders, it is suggested that conventional histories of the civil rights movement undervalue the role of emotion in its genesis & perpetuation. Emotion & unplanned activities are shown to have played crucial roles in the successful mobilization of adherents & potential constituents of the movement. A key aspect of these activities was the courageous action of women activists who helped to define the nature of leadership in the movement. By taking action in the face of threats to life & limb, women capitalized on their emotional energy & lent momentum to the movement. Thus, the emotion of female bridge leaders was instrumental in shaping the leadership context of the more formal male leadership. 82 References. D. Ryfe

"Demographic pressures and the sustainability of the social protection systems ensure increasing the percentage of older workers in employment is at the top of the EU political agenda. Recent data demonstrate that increased employment among the 55-64 age group has been one of the most dynamic aspects of the EU labour market, rising 7.8 percent between 2000 and 2007. However, there is widespread ignorance about the quality of jobs held by this age group. Early retirement is often underpinned by discourse blaming older workers for not being able to adapt to technological and organizational changes. Sharp asymmetries in older worker employment rates between European countries refute simplistic explanations based on stereotypes suggesting, rather, the importance of the different national approaches to active ageing. In this paper, we challenge some highly diffused ideas that encourage discriminatory practices against older members of the workforce and analyse the quality of older worker employment in European Union countries." (author's abstract)